New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-19
PRISONERS AT ASPINWALL.
HOW AMERICANS WERE HELD BY REBELS
REPORT OF COMMANDER KANE TO THE SECRETARY
OF THE NAVY.

WASHINGTON. April 1S.-Commander kano,
Of the United States Steamship Galena has made re-
mort TO Mr. whitney under date OF April 8, relative 10
the burning Of Aspinwan by the insurgents on maroh
81 and part taken by his command for tns
OF American citizens and their property Inc
says:
About 1890 p on March 80 IL was repor.ou W mo
tbat the American steamer Colon, had shaii Ahhoi.
flag a the fore union down, and that they were
from her that the being seized by the nsu
rent troops Immediately sent boat to the Colon al
charge of Lieutenant Judd, United States Navy 10 see
what the trouble This ship was at the time lying
ut anchor about three hundred yards from anu aoie
of the northern wharf Of the Island ana the steamer
Colon was moored at the Pacific Mail steamship Ool
pany's wharf having arrived that morning nom new
York.
Lieutenant Judd returned in about half an hour'
bringing with him the United States Consul Mr..
Wright, and informed me that there were arms
and ammunition on board the Colon ana 'h"'
senor p Prestan the chief of the nsurgent FORCES hee
had demanded the delivery Of the arms that Mr Con-
nor the Aspinwal agent of the Pacific Mall steamship
Compapy was under arrest and that Prestan had prom
ised not to interfere with the steamer before p in
when the general agent of the company, captain Do"
would arrive provided the Galena pun no
force on board the steamer in the meantime At2;9o
sent Lieutenant Judd, who was accompanied oy the
United States Consul and Naval Cadet Richardson 70
meet Captain Dow and direct him MOTTO denver any arms
without my order and also TO communicate win fresah
and say desired interview with him. Leatehaht
Judd met Captain Dow at tho steamship office at the
head of the dock where also Prostan and some OF
his aids. Leutensnt Judd communicated my msuuc-
fiona and Presan at called in some OF his guards
and arrested Lieutenant Judd the United states Cohsu
and Captain and ordered them taken to prison AS
the party passed United States Consulate the Consul
spoke to his clerk Mr.. Casanova, an American citizen
and the insurgents Immediately entered the Consulate
and forcbly removed Mr. Casanova and Joined HIM TO
tho party.
Naval Cadet Richardson permitted to return to the
ahp to bring of the arrest he also informed
me of the threat that II the Galena attempted
to land force it would be fired upon and she dred
shot the whole party would be shot.
sThe insurgent guards now assembled on the
wharves in force and had thrown abArrcade on the
northern pier the harbor to resist our landing sent
demand to Prestan for the immediate release OF the
whole marty but Lieutenant Judd returned on board and
the demand was not delivered Lieutenant Judd and
party were held prisoners fer nearly two hours ana
only released the United states Consul had given
his consent the delivery OF the arms This promise
was exaced under penalty OF death for the entire party
During the absence.of Lieutenant Judd the Gaena had
been dropped down within one hundred yards OF the
Ceons wharf and every preparation was made for SELF
ing that vessel. After Lieutenant Judds release sue
eeeded in getting the United States Consul from the
Colon TO this ship. but 1 could not get hold
of the two agents OF the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany. determined to wait no longer so ordered
all of the armed manned and under the command
of Lieutenant Judd, tho Colon taken possession Of
insurgent troops retiring up the wharf, and taking
with them the steamship agents as prisoners The
Colon was hauled into the stream and the Galena
dropped in aloH gside of the wharf After securing the
ship and posting all necessary guards on the wharf,
made "a demand Prestan for the release of the two
agents OF the Pacific Mail ship Company and re-
ceived verbal reply that he would answer me In the
morning
AT o'clock the next morning March 81 landed the
battalion consisting twelve officers and ia sailors and
marines, with three guns under the command of Lieut.
enant Judd and made all preparations to release the two
agents by force. if my demand was not complied with
While these preparations were being made on the
wharf, Captain Dow and Mr. Conner appeared and in-
formed me that they had escaped from Presans forces
who mad taken them from the prison about
o'clock in the morning and ont about three miles ON tho
line OF the railroad to point where the insurgent troops
had met the Government forces from Panama and that
after slight engagement the Insurgents retreated to-
the Americans who had been arrested and hearing the
firing OF the Government troops from Panama who were
driving the insurgent forces before them to the par
ricade the town ordered Lieutenant Judd with ms
Paedc Nal Company and then to possession OF the
United states Consulate and the oees ana st9reh9ases
for the protection of this American property This was
done The firing between the nsurgent and Government
troops increased rapidly aud fighting kept up
for about three hours All OF the lnsurgen troops hs
sSrroundsd About 1890 p. m. the prison, stu
ated within the barricade. was fred by the IN
points points in the city were set on FIRE, Including
all the wharves except that Of the Pacific Mall Steam
ship Company which was III my possession 1nete was
sirons ade wind blowing at The time and with neither
rapidly buildings constantly fired 10 windward
and In few hours nearly the whole city was destroyed
time the city fired and the streets were at once
In terrible confusion being filled with frightened men,
women and children running before the flames. All
that could be accommodated were given shelter on
board this ship and many others sought refuge ON the
Ore having reached the Pacific Mail wharf and the
.ss%sd Ge onS ssfe anchorage N the harbor Lieu
tenant Judd and his force left shore to save and
sS b e the s eS with h to the
Panama Railroad GmPanys pTGpsr on d9 The
and the rest OF his command fell back before the fire to
rendered all the assistance he could and then made de-
OF the northern part Of the town support euto
in CHECKING the spread Of the fire in the north
part Of the city, and All that portion was saved ana
Isbed 10 prevent further destruction OF property The
Sa ~ the faa Of S and with WITH
the assistance of its own wenequpPed IRE department
This was the only wharf saved, and guard was sent
from the ship protect 1t. The crew OF H. b. NJ gun
e AZ y Wave none Of which was destroyed Tie
Ere did not extend TO the Panama Canal Companys
y Se OW W Of XspaWa is due to the protection
afforded by this ship and the eneeney ana nara %ok OF
made destitute thousands OF people who have lost every
II now hold possession OF all American property on
the Island that has been saved The Colombian troops
consists In holding prisoners They give but little assist
ance In guarding the tewn The complications OF the
afternoon March 80 could have been avoided had
been Informed in time regarding the arms on the Colon
Everything had quiet since the 14th ult uhe date
OF my dispatch TO the Department. negotiations for
being considered and was believed that the
Government Panama too weak to attack
this place The town has qsieed down, thousands OF
people have left for Jamaica and Panama and ether
points ON the railroad. There is government
here now. The small body OF Colombian
Government troops occupy few Of the old hon that
have been saved and being fed by tho Panama Rail-
road Company and this ship their prisoners have
hesn To q anchor In harDOr and