The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-19
THE COLOMBIAN REVOLUTION.
Commander Kane's Report of the Part Taken

THE COLOMBIAN REVOLUTION.
Commander Kanes Report of the Part Taken
by the Americans.
WASHINGTON, April I8.-Commander Kane,
of the United States steamer Galena. has made
report to Secretary Whitney, under date Of
April 8. relative to the burning of Aspinwall by
the insurgents, the afternoon of March 81,
and the part taken by his command for the p,o-
lection of American citizens and their property.
The Commander says:
"About 1870 PM, March 30, it was reported
to me that the American steamer Colon had
small American flag at the FORE union down,
and that they were signaling that the steamer
was being seized by the insurgent troops.
/ Immediately sent boat to the Colon In
charge of Lieutenant Judd, to see what the
trouble was. He returned in about half an hour,
bringing United States Consult Wright, and in
formed me that there were arms and ammunition
on board the Colon, and that Senior ID. Preston,
demanded the delivery of the arms; that Dir.
Connor the Aspinwall agent of the Pacific Mail
and that Preston had promised not
to interfere with the steamer before
3 P. NJ, when the general agent Of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company, Captain Dow,
would arrive from Panama. provided the Galena
put no force on board the steamer in the mean
time. At 2:25 ! sent Lieutenant Judd, who was
accompanied by the United States con-
meet Captain Dow and direct him not to
deliver any arms without my permission, and to
communicate with Preston and say desired
interview with him. Lieutenant Judd met
where were also Preston and some of his
aids. Lieutenant Judd communicated my in
structions, and Preston at once called in some
of his guards and arrested Lieutenant Judd,
the United States Consul, and Captain
Dow, and ordered them taken to prison.
AT the United States consulate, the
consuls clerk, Mr. Casanova, an Amer
lean citizen, was forcibly removed.
Naval cadet Richardson was permitted to
return to the ship to bring the
news of the arrests. He also informed
me of the threat of Preston that
if the Galena attempted to land force, it would
be fired u pom, and if she fired a gun, the whole
party would be shot The insurgent guards were
now assembled on the wharves in force, and had
thrown UP barricade Oil the northern pier of
the harbor to resist our landing. / sent de-
mand TO Preston for the immediate release of
the whole party, but Lieutenant Judd re-
turned on board and the demand was not
delivered. Lieutenant Judd and party were
held as hostages nearly two hours, and only
leased when the United States Consul had given
his consent for the delivery of the arms
atty OF death for the whole party,
During the absence of Lieutenan. Judd, the
Galena had been dropped down within one hun
dred yards of the Coions wharf, and every
preparation was made for Selling that vessel"
Commander Kane relates how he got Consul
Wright and his clerk on board the Galena, and
adds: II now determined TO wait no longer, and
SO ordered all of the armed boats manned, and,
under the command of Lieutenant Judd, the
Colon was taken possession of, the iuSurgent
troops retiring up the wharf and taking with
them the two steamship agents as prisoners.
The Colon was hauled out into the stream and
the Galena dropped alongside of the wharf.
After securing the ship and posting the necessa-
ry guards on the wharfs, made demand on
Preston for the release of the two agents of the
Pacific Mail Steamship Company, and received
verbal reply that he would answer me in the
morning. AT o'clock the next morning March
81, / landed battalion consisting of twelve
officers and la sailors and marines. with three
gums, under command of Lieutenant Judd, and
made all preparations to release the two
agents by force if my demand was not
complied with. When these preparations were
being made, Captain Dow and S1r Conner APP
peared and informed me that they had escaped
from Prestons forces. Having now
under my protection all the Americans who had
been arrested, and hearing the firing of the gov
ment troops from Panama, who were driving
the insuasent forces before them into
their barricade in the town, ordered Lieutenant
Judd, with his force, to leave sufficient men to
protect the property of the Pacific Mail Com
pany, and then to take possession of the United
States consulate and the offices and storehouses
of the Panama Railroad Company, and to
his force for the protection of this American
property This was DONE"
Here follows the story of the fight between
Preston's forces and the government troops, and
the burning of Colon substantially as has al
ready been given. The commander adds:
1.-The crew of III. b. NJ. gunboat Lilly rendered
great assistance in saving the shipping at the
wharves, none of which was destroyed. The
fire did not extend to the Panama Canal Com
panys property at Christoph Colon. All that
has been saved of the town of Aspinwall is due
to the protection afforded by this ship and the
efficiency and hard work of the officers and men
in fighting the fire.
He concludes: 1.-THE difficulties of the after
noon of March 30 could have been avoided had /
been informed in time regarding tue arms on
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