New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-01-09
MORE MARINES
GO TO MEXICO
Four Hundred from Panama to
Join American Battleships
on Duty There.
/ lion rhe Tribunc Bureau.l


Washington. Jan. $40 be more fully
prepared for emergencies in Mexico. and
because strategists of the navy have de-
cided that there are not enough marines
in Mexican waters for possible eXigencies,
the Secretary of the Navy announced to-
day that the marine detachment at
Panama. numbering 900 men, will be
transferred at once to the battleships
now off the Mexican coast.
The announcement came Unexpectedly
and caused something of a sensation. IL
was Immediately construed that the
doubling of the force Of marines on the
battleships had high significance and
presaged a policy OF action 10y the ad-
ministration. Secretary Daniels, however,
declared that he had decided to reinforce
the marines on the battleships on his own
intiative-not on orders from the Presi-
dent or request of the State Department.
In another quarter it was explained that
the l20 marines now in Mexican waters
was deemed insufficient TO form the
nucleus of a landing force.
The senong of marines at this mo-
ment, when Washington is full of rumors
and general air Of expectancy prevails,
is regarded as having more significance
than officials are willing TO admit. 1t is
considered at least symptomatic Of a be-
lief by the officials that il would be we'll
TO be prepared for eventualties.
The talk OF last summer that never
under any circumstances, would the
President intervene, finds little repetition
these days in Washington. Ii is believed
that Intervention is becoming more and
more probable, and that the President
does not contemplate it with his alleged
aversion.
The detachment of marines in Panama
is under the command of Major Smedley
Butler. and is considered most efficient
body.
The following announcement was hand
ed out by Mr. Daniels this afternoon:
The recent approved recommendation
of the General Board for the redistribu-
ton of marines provided for the with
drawal of the marine detachment on the
Isthmus of Panama. in order to unite
with some of the larger commands. Re
cent reports OF the unhealthful conditions
has led the department TO decide upon
their immediate Withdrawal and accord
inely the Minnesota will be intercepted
on her passage TO Mexico with instruc-
lions TO proceed 10 Cristobal and bring
north tho marines now stationed there,
amounting to "A force of approximately
100 officers and men.
.rhese marines will temporarily be dis
tributed among the ships at Vera Cruz.
IN which port the Minnesota was en-
route
While some officials declare that the
prime reason for the move is purely
military, IL is true that conditions in
Panama. where these marines were sta
toned, are unhealthfuL
Washington Officials are much inter
ested I'm a report of the establishment OF
small guard at the japanese Legation
I'm Mexico City. Officers and men from
the Japanese cruiser Idzumo recently Wis
ite3 Mexico City. Most OF the sailors re-
turned TO their ship. but one officer and
four sailors remained. presumably 10
guard the legation In the event OF trouble
i'm the capital, such as occurred a year
ago when there was 20 much street
fighting.
The action OF Japan is not considered
violation of any principle OF interna-
wants a guard he can have il in his lega-
ton without respect to any objections the
Mexican government may have.