The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-12-08

Tho Naval Operations.
, washington. Dec. 2.-Naval forces
OF the United States are being moved
forward tonight to both coasts of Gen.
tral America. for the purpose of pro-
tscting American life and property in
Nicaragua by force Of arms. IL the
necessity arrives.
With the departure late today from
Philadelphia Of the troop ship Prairie
with seven hundred marines aboard
for the Isthmus OF Panama. and IL It
be so decreed. for Nicaragua, and
with the sailing from Magdalena Bay
Of the protected cruiser Albany and
the gunboat Yorktown for Corinto
on the Pacific coast of Nicaragua. the
warlike activity of the navy depart
ment was becoming manifest on both
oceans that wash the Nicaraguan
shores.
Besides the cruisers Des Moines
and Tacoma. and the gunboat Mari
eta are lying or Port Lmon, Costa
Rica. ready for any call upon them
and the guns OF the little gunboat
vicksburg are pointed toward the
custom house and town Of Corinto.
The gunboat Princeton is endeavor-
jng to make her way from the Bre-
merton navy yard Washington to CO.
Tfnto also.
In addition the transport Buffalo.
according to what II said to be the
plans of the officials responsible will
sail from Panama for Corinto with
probably as many as 1.100 marines
aboard. soon after the Prairie which
left Philadelphia this afternoon with
about seven hundred marines arrives
sf Colon.
On the Albany are about ESQ blue
jackets and the vicksburg. Yorktown
end Princetown about $50 each.
These. together with the marines,
would make an army equal to any
srganization reported to be serving
under zelaya.
AZ the same time. the United
states will have a formidable force
within striking distance of the At
SAntic coast IN case OF danger to
American lives or property In that
eection OF Nicaragua. At Port Linn
q. Costa Rica. are anchored the
esuissrs DssMoines and Tacoma, each
WITH 3so men aboard and the gun
bat Marietta with 1bo men.
With the probability of many del
kate questions arising In Nicaragua
ond Of their demanding immediate
sssponse the navy department decided
% send q flag oficer to Nicaragua to
take command Of the American naval
Sorces. Rear Admiral VIM. w. KIM
ba1l was chosen for that duty. He
called for Colon. Panama, today on
the Prairie. He will make his way
fcm there to Corinto, doubtless, as
rapidly as possible.
Admiral Kimball has been a MEM
Der Of the naval boards Of examin-
afions and retirements and of con-
struction for more than a year.
There were no developments at the
State department today regarding
Nicarasuan affairs. Although secre-
tary Knox In his note last night to
the Nicaraguan charge. Mr.. Rodrigu-
q. intimatcd that he would be will
1ng TO see that gentleman unofficially.
the permission has not yet been taxi
% advantage Of.
Having promptly informed. In a
lengthy cablegram. the Nicaraguan
government that the American Sec
rotary Of state had last night present.
"a him with his passport, Senior Fe-
sipc Rodrisuez. charge d'afraires, OF
Nicaragua In Washington. is tonight
awaiting instructions from President
zelaya as to what course he Is to fol-
low now that diplomatic relations be-
tween the United States and Nicara-
gus have been severed. Mr.. Rod
riguez would make no statement to-
day and had received no further In
formation. he said. regarding the
progress of AFFAIRS In Nicaragua.