Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-21
IN PANAMA TERRITORY
100 Colombian Troops on the
Island of Pines.
BASE FOR OPERATIONS
q. S. wARsHIPs NOW SCOUTING
IN THAT DIRECTION.
Only Island Along That Coast Wooded
and Well Watered Suitable for
Military Camp.

been received here that about 1OO Coioh-
bian troops have landed at the Island oi
Pines, northwest of Cape Tiburn, which Is
situated at the western entrance OF the
Gulf of Darien.
The Island of Pines is in Panama terri
tory, and is the only island along tna'
coast which 10 wooded peaked with noun
tains and also we'll watered. thus o1erine
every facility for camping and DeinS useo
as a base Of observation.
II is significant In this connection that
the United States auxiliary cruiser May
flower left this harbor yesterday. bound IN
the direction of the Island of Pines to op-
tain confirmation of the report.
The United States gunboat Bancroft Is
still IN that coast. in the vicinity of Nom
bre de Dios.
The United States cruiser Nashville has
returned to Colon from Bocas dei a Ioro ,,s
Rear Admiral Coghlan has transferred ms
flag to the United States auxiliary cruiser
Prairie.
Torpedo Boats Ready for Sea.
SAN FRANCISCO, December H.-The tor
pedo boat destroyers Paul Jones and Preble
are living at the Mare Island navy yard
coaled and ready for sea, awaiting the COM
ing of officers from the east. The officers
and II is expected that the warships will
sail next Wednesday for Panama. A crew
from the training ship independence mas
been placed on the Paul Jones ana. Ie
Preble also has a full complement. Both
vessels however lack a number of officers.
Officials Here Puzzled.
State, War and Navy officials are stiii
puzzling over the dispatches OF SATURDAY
and preceding days regarding reported
movements of Colombian troops ana the
conclusion has been reached that there Is
nothing hostile in these movements. In
fact, it is believed that the passing from
one point to the other on the Carlppeah
seacoast in search of subsistence OF the
same little body of troops which landed at
the mouth of the Atrato river early IN De-
cenrber is a basis for all these conniceils
renOrts 1t is stated that there are no re-
cent advices from either Admiral Glass or
Admiral Coghlan of new movements, ana
the State Department is connqent that Ien.
Reyes' orders to his followers to refraln
from any foreign movement pending his
further directions are being accurately OBJ
served However, the navy, feenng ltsel1
responsible for the defense of the isthmus,
ia omitting no possible preparation against
surprise.
Americans Notified to Leave
special dispatch from Panama yester-
day says that the Americans In the Darien
district have been notified that they must
leave in twenty-four hours.
1t Is probable, In view Of the protest mace
by Gen. Ortiz against the lardi:g OF
party from the United States cruiser Al
lanta to ascertain the location OF nus mill
tary camp near the mouth OF tne Atrato
river. that further landings of American
bluejackets or marines on Colombian terri
tory will be forbidden. The Instructions
sent to Rear Admirals Glass and Cognian
to refrain from taking any action tnat
might precipitate a conflict with Colombian
troops are believed to be general enough
to prevent the likelihood of aggressive
progress on their part 1t is stated, now
ever that the course of Commander IurHer
az the Atlanta In sending small force
ashore on Colombian territory to locate the
forces of Gen. Ortiz has been approved oy
the administration.
According to some off1c1ais or the Navy
Denartment. the 500 Colombian troops
which embarked on the gunboat Cartagena
and sailed Ito the north, are bound for
the Island of Old Providence, where, 1t Is
sunnosed they will establish a base or op-
erations against the isthmus
Will Patrol the Coast.
The movement may be intended as
bluff, but the naval authorities will take no
chances. and United States war vessels VIII
be assigned to patrol the north coast of the
isthmus between Colon and the Costa Rican
border.
Old Providence Island is to the north of
St Andrews Island and directly Off the CEN
trail Caribbean coast of Nicaragua The
island belongs to Colombia and is attached
politically to the department of Bolivar.
Government officials acknowledge that the
naval authorities have no warrant to inter-
fere with the establishment of base of
operations on any Colombian territory dur
inta Of no
nally friendly relations between the United
States and Colombia.
1t is announced that while the situation
on the isthmus was not alarming to the
Washington government. 1t was suf-
ficiently delicate to necessitate the most
careful and diplomatic handling, and for
this reason secrecy has been en5oined
upon officials of the departments regard
ing the operation or the sn1pS anu ma
riner .
Gen. Elliott's Plans.
Brig. Gen George F. Elliott. command
ant of the Marine Corps, has reported
that upon twenty-four hours notice he
can get under way to Colon with the new
Caribbean sea battalion which is being
assembled at Philadelphia This battal-
ion, which 1t is intended shall go south
on the cruiser Dixie, now on her way to
sail between December 25 and January
/. On the arrival Of this battalion at CO.
lon Gen. Elliott will organize the three
battalions of marines on the fsthmus into
a brigade, of which he will assume su-
preme command.
Lest the administration may be put in the
light OF anticipating the Senate's ratifica-
ton Of the canal treaty by assuming obli-
cations provided for in that convention II
has been practically settled that General
Elliott shall not mass his forces along the
Panama border unless the safety of the re-
public absolutely demands 1t. 1t is believed
his scheme will be to distribute the three
battalions at Empire. Gorgoua, Porta
Bella and other towns and villages of Pan.
ANA other than the cities Of Panama and
Colon. leaving to the navy the protection OF
those terminals. 1t Ia possible that some
marines will be encamped on the highlands
In the vicinity Of the border line, but Gen.