Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-15
FOREIGN NEWS.
FROM PANAMA.
Seeking Redress at the Hands OF Ameri.
can LesislatOss-Caasl Dredg'ng-Re>.
to,ati"n of Peace-Detsils of the Battle
of Canta.


PANAMA, Sept. ~.
julio Romano Santos. who was recently
released from prison in Ecuador, has arrived
in Panama on his way to Washington. The
object of his journey is to establish his clam
to recognition as an American citizen bv the
United States government, before taking any
steps to obtain restitution from Ecuador au-
thorities for the losses he has suffered hy
false arrest and impri> onment. He estimates
his damage at Sl00, 200.
The Star and Herald says: 1--WE shall see
in the month of October the first section OF
the Panama canal opened in its full length,
breadth and depth. The first section will
comprise the water way from Colon to near
Tiger Hill, distance Of l2 kilometres. and
will inaugurate the existence Of the first plr-
ton of the Panama canal. The coming year
will be one Of extraordinary feats in the an-
mails of canal dredging. Ten powerful dredses
will be at work ON the Colon side, which will
register q record never to be surpassed"
An extra number of the Official Gazette
has been published by order Of Gen. Monto-
va, announcing the complete subjection of
the rebels and the restoration Of peace
| throughout the republic.
The latest advices from Lima give details
| OF the battle of Canta. on the 18th ult On
the morning of that day, the governme nj
troops, occupying the town of Canta. 60 miles
from Lima. were surprised by division Of
Gen. Cacere's army and after sharp action
of several hours, were forced to fly in dis
order. The government troops included $50
men of the line battalion, "Csjamarca," a
crack corps Of the Peruvian army, with one
Gattling gun, so cavalrymen and so mounted
Gendsmes, under command of Col. Pachas.
I . tha h.,l., h,tv .lnl ~ Il
Torres of the "Csjamarca." Canta had been
occupied for several days, the Monterose, or
revolutionary forces, retiring on the approach
of this detachment On FRIDAY evening,
news arrived of the approach of consider.
able division of the enemy A council of
war was held and it was decided to hold a
position and defend it. On Saturday, at
A. M, the hills enclosing Canta were occu-
pied by the enemy, apparently 1900 or 1000
strong, and with about 200 cavalry. The
latter were stationed at the outlets of the val
| ley leading toward the coast and to the inte-
rior, so that from the first the government
forces were effectually corralled Col. Tor
res had placed his men in the barracks sit
uated in the principal square of the town,
and mounted machine gun on one of the
towers. The Caceres artillery, four small
field pieces, ard four Founders, made at Are
YuiPPa Aioui ioSpHotlNe dNles, opened nTe
from the hill at Huay Chullani. at half past
seven. and in few moments the fire became
general The enemy descended the hills and
attempted to enter the town, but were repeat
edly driven back For two hours the positions
OF the combatants was unaltered, the fire be-
ing all the time very heavy. At midday the
defenders OF the place began to slacken fire
as their ammunition was becoming rapidly
exhausted and for an hour they received
without reply tire volleys of the attacking
party. Perceiving this the revoluttopists
brought down guns from the heights seeking
to open again at shOrt rarge against the
barracks, but the remaining resources of the
defenders were called and the artillery was
forced to retire. At two o'clock the bugles of
"CsJamarca" called all the troops to the plaza
where they formed and desperate attempt
was made to drive the rebels from the town
which they had then entered at the point of
OF the bayonet. This failed and their defeat
was accomplished. The fight was hand to
hand in the street. no quarter given and the
most dreadful scenes OF carnage occurred
Houses where some Of the defeated soldiers
had taken refuge were broken open and all
found within murdered without distinction of
age, sex or character and then were burned
few of the most determined Of the cavalry
men headed by Col. Pschas cut their way
through their opponents and made good
their escape. A machine gun had been dis
manted and thrown into the river before the
enemy could reach it. Col. Terres escaped
early in the action. OF the five or six hun.
dred men engaged on the government side
probably 200 escaped by flying to the noun
tains. The Cacerists were commanded by
Col Morales Beemuidez and it is stated that
Carceres with his staff arrived at Canta the
day after the battle. The losses of the revo-
lutionary forces are not known. Nothing is
known positive regarding the present where
a5outs of Carceres.