The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1903-11-16
STORY is R|D|cuLED
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS DO NOT
BELIEVE COLOMBIA WILL
ATTACK PANAMA.
ARE PREPARED FOR ANY EMERGENCY
NAVAL FORCE ON THE lSTHMUS
HAS ORDERS TO PREVENT
POSSIBILITIES.

Washington, Nov. 16.-The state de
partment has no knowledge of the
marching of any army from Colombia
upon the isthmus and the officials
state that were any such movement
In progress it would certainly be in
formed by its agents in the South, the
cables being still open.
These officials scout the idea that
any such march is in progress as the
president of Colombia is reported to
have described to the president OF
Ecuador. 1t is assumed here that the
"army" said to be marching on Pan
anna was nothing more than the few
men, perhaps 500 all told. who were
about to embark at Buena Ventura
few DAYS ago when they were turned
back from the isthmus by notice OF
the determination of the United states
naval commanders to allow no landings
In that quarter. These troops can
not reach the isthmus by water ana
the officials here are positive that
they cannot do so by land. The char
acter of the country is such that
there is no subsistence for an army
on the route of the wild mountain
trails and the passages through the
morasses that lie between Colombia
proper and the isthmus. Even II
there were subsistence the trails are
SO rough that 1t
Would Require Many Weeks
or even months for even small army
to make the journey.
But there are more than physical
obstacles in the way of the approach
Of an army upon Panama. The Off
cials do not care to express pubncly
their plans, but enough has been
cleaned from the instructions given
to our naval commanders to make IL
evident that never again VIII the lsth-
mus become the seat OF warfare SO
long as the United States government
can prevent it, The difference be-
tween the present situation on the
isthmus and that which existed last
year when Commander Mclean pre-
vented armed troops from crossing
the isthmus by rail is just this: The
authorities have now determined TO
extend the lines of protection TO the
railroad. They will not allow hostile
forces, no matter whether they are
Colombian or Panama troops, to come
into collision anywhere near the rail
road and to prevent such collisions ii
will be necessary to extend the neu-
trail zone clear to the north and south
boundaries OF the republic Of Pan
ANA.
Not the slightest apprehension is
felt here of the encroachment Of any
Colombian army upon Panama.
Many Warshps on Duty.
It Is said at the navy department
that the only news received over night
brief dispatch from Rear Admiral
Glass announcing the arrival at Pan
anna of the monitor Wyoming That
vessel left Acapulco in company with
the cruiser Marblehead and the gum
boat Concord but was not able to
keep pace with them and so they |
parted company. The other two ves-
sells arrived at Panama several days |
ago.
There are now seven vessels guard |
Ing the interests of the United States |
on the isthmus of Panama. or these |
four are on the Pacific side, the cruis- |
ers Boston and Marblehead, gunboat /
Concord and Monitor Wyoming.
On the Atlantic. or east side of the |
lsthmus, are the cruiser Atlanta, the /
gunboat Nashville and the training |
ship Dixie. This fleet will be re-en-
forced in day or two by the battle |
ship Maine and the presidents yacht
Maytiower. Rear Admiral Coghlan,
the Caribbean squadron.
Read Admiral Walker, president of
the Isthmian canal commission and
Consul General Gudger. who, it is ex-
pected. will be given diplomatic pow :,
ers at Colon, are passengers on the
Nayfower.