New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-15
GUARDS ON THE ISTHMUS.
PROBLEM CHIEFLY NAVAL
BIT army Nay Help Protect Canal
Route and Railroad.
[rRoa THE TRIBUNE BUREAU

Washington, Nov. 14.-The military and naval
experts who are discussing the Panama situa-
ton from n strategic point Of view, do not agree
on the necessity of employing strictly military
or land force I'm that quarter 1t has been as
certalned from sources OF information regarded
as authentic by the military information divis-
ion that, should Colombia send an armed force
from Bogota or any other place, IL would be out
OF the question for such command to proceed
into Panama overland. The most feasible meth
cd OF approach would be debarkstion on steam
ers from Buenaventura, with the intention of
landing at Panama.
United States protection against such inva-
sion is, therefore a strictly naval problem. and
some of the army officers believe that it will be
necessary TO maintain a substantial and alert
naval fleet off Colon. well one off Panama,
so that attempt to effect a. landing the
north coast OF the sthmus would be repulsed as
promptly as If the landing were TO be made on
the south side. The opportunities for a cam
paign on land. say army officers who have stud
led the question. are extremely limited.
On the other hand, the Navy Department
wishes TO share the responsibility aud work in
Panama with the War Department, a desire
which is received with much cordially by the
army people. When the question discussed
the other day by the joint Army and Navy
rsoning of the canal route and railroad should
be needed some of this duty might be performed
by the army. The prospect OF occupying Pan
anna territory is not alluring one for either
marines or soldiers, and probably the tour of
duty there would not be extended beyond one
year. For that matter a naval station off Pan
is not pleasing prospect for officers of the
navy. There is a continual swell off the north
ern coast OF the isthmus, which, combined with
art,,, 10
Vigilance of the locality tedious.
Most naval officers think the programme Of
defence would resolve itself into watchfulness.
A majority of naval and army officers believe
that Colombia possesses no military resources
ard commands no powers of augmentation which
would offer the promise of startling or even in
teresting operations. The only hope of the Co
gagement of United States troops Colombian
soil. where they would be materially aided by
the condition of the country
Naval officers, especially those attached to the
South Atlantic and North Atlantic fleets. es-
pecialy interested in the outcome at Panama
and the part which the navy will be called upon
10 play there 1t begins to look as if the elab-
crate winter maneuvres planned by the Gen
elaI Board. TO be under the personal supervision
OF Admiral Dewey and Rear Admiral II. G.
Taylor, would have to be abandoned, or at least
the battle games modified, to accommodate the
decreased fleet. Admiral Taylor said to-day,
however that he did not believe the situation in
Panama would call for the presence Of a suffi-
cient number of ships interfere with the plans
OF the Navy Department for the winter manoeU-
vres and target practice Of the feet.