The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-04-09
THE ISTHMUS.
Burning Of Aspinwall-American War Vessels and
Troops Dispatched to the Scene.

The troubles at Panama still continue, and
last week the rebels burned the town of Aspin-
wall. The attack upon the rebel chief Prestan
by the Colombian troops was led by Col. Ulloa
Prestan's forces were utterly routed after a
severe engagement As soon as Prestan became
convinced that it would be impossible for him
to maintain his position, he set fire to the city
in various places. and then made his escape
Only few of his followers succeeded in getting
away with him. The city is almost complete
ruin. Only three houses are left standing.
Much distress prevails among the people, who
have been rendered homeless
The seizure of the Pacific mail steamship
Colon at Aspinwall by the rebels and the arrest
of the United States Consul and other citizens
has caused quite stir in this country, and
vigorous preparations are now being made to
protect American property and citizens there.
The Pacific Mail Steamer City of Para start
ed from New York for Aspinwall on the Sd,
carrying 200 men with tents and camp equipage.
Sixty of this number are from the League
Island Navy Yard, Philadelphia, and are under
the command of Capts. Pagan and Cochrane.
Admiral Jouett left New Orleans on the same
day with corps of marines for the same point.
There is quite hum of preparation at the
Brooklyn Navy Yard and at the main barracks
in Brooklyn. The cause is said to be an init
nation from Washington that it would be we'll
to have the available Marine Corps on this sta
lion Teauy lot transportation 10 The lSJfInuS VI
Panama in order to protect American interests.
If needed, $50 Marines can be sent away at two
hours notice. The Ordnance Department is
also kept busy supplying Calling guns and such
ammunition as may be called for.
Commander Kane, of the Galena, who Is sta
toned at Aspinwall to guard American prop
erty, telegraphed on Sunday last to Secretary
Whitney:
Vessels now way to Aspinwall, together with
force on the Para, will be sufficient to open and
guard transit if supported by two ships at Panama.
Without such support extra force of 500 men will
all American property well protected my
force Will permit. l have liz officers and men on
shore. My command is safe and WELL Only one
foreigner killed so far rs known. There are about
100 Colombian Government troops here holding
large number OF prisoners, and are rendering no
assistance inpreserving order. Railroad Company
is af!ordng all possible relief to refugees and have
sent many out on line of road. Transit remains
closed. One relief train reached Panama last night
at great risk, having been stopped by insurgents
and one person forcibly removed. Wires to Pana-
ma continually being cut.
In view of the unsatisfactory state of affairs
the Secretary of the Navy decided to send an
additional force to Aspinwall by the steamship
Acapulco. which on Monday sailed from New
York. The re-enforcements will consist of at
least $50 Marines, and, combined with the 600
sent out by the City of Para last week and
the men who may be spared from the ships of
war, they will give Admiral Jouett and Col
Haywood force of from 1000 to ], 200 men,
splendidly armed, equipped and disciplined,
who would be competent of wipingout five or
six times their number of the Panama insurg-
ents.