The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-20
Commander Rant's Report OF the burning
ofAspiawaii Co Secretary whitney.

orAsptownli to Secretary whitney
wAluSo1os, April - Commander Kane, OF
the tnled states steamer Oalena, has made 70.
port to Secretary whitney. under date OF Anril $.
relative 20 tho bnrnus OF Atplnwaii by the lnsut'
genu on ihe afternoon OF March 90 and the part
lelsn by bis 60 umand for the protection OF
1870 4. M, on Mach 30 u WA reported ~ mo
that the American steamer Colon had the small
American tag 81 the fore union down, aud that
they were sipnelieg That the steamer was being
telRgd by the inaufgeni unops, Immediately
tent boat 20 the Colon; IN charge OF Llentenan!
IN about half % hour bringing Quilted
states Consul Wright And Informed me
on bospS the SSsn ana that sanor h preston
the chief 0t The insuigent forces here had Dc
mandeo the delivery OF The arms. that Mr. Con.
stcsmship Company, was under arrest. ana that
Preston had promised not 10 interfere with tho
be fse sSo & mas 'es espsns S canaan
Dow, would arrive tom Panama, provided tho
0alene put no force on board the steamer In the
was accompanied by the United states Consul
aud Naval Cadet Richardson, 10 meet Captain
cut my permissian aud 10 OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES win
Preston aud @y desired on Interview
with him. Lieutenant Judd met Oaptain
were also ne Preston S'" saa some SS' TAi n,
aids. Lieutenant Judd communicated my Ia.
Tia snapds ana arrested Leutensnt JUDI The
Unite \ etea Consul aud Captain Dow, ana or
defed them taken to prison, Al the unitei states
American EILEEN, was iorclbly removed, Naval
tadel Richardson WAS permitted % return 20 the
R 20 m ~ me sfe al VI 0 ss that ap the
Gale aa attempted 10 land 4 force II would be
fred upon, and II she hfed gun, the whole party
assembled on the wharyea IN force, ana had
thrown up hafricade on the northern pier
a demand to Preston for she Immediate re.
lease OF the whole party, but Lieutenant
Judd returned on board aud the demand was not
delivered. Lieutenant Judd aud party were held
AZ hostages nearly two hours and only released
when the United States Consul had given hisCons
sent for the delivery OF the arms This promise
was exactcd under penalty OF death for the whole
party. During the absence OF Lieutenant Judd
the 1alena hud been dropped down within 100
yaius OF tee uolonA wharf, ana every preparation
was made TOT teixing that vessel 60,
Commander kane relates how no got Consul
Wright aud his clerk on board the Galona. and
adds Il now determined TO walt no longer, 30 /
ordered oil OF the armed boats mannec and, un.
der the command OF Lieutenant Judd, the Colon
was taken possession OF the Insurgents retiring
| up the wharf ana taxing with them the two steam.
thip agents as prisoners. The Colon was hauled
out INTO ihe stream, ana the 0aleua dropped
alongside OF the wharf. Alter securing the ship
AID posting necessary guards GA the wharf, 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, A. the next morning,
March 81, landed The battalion, consisting OF
| twelve officers aud ia sailors aud marines, and
| with three guns. under the command OF Lieu.
tenant Judd, ana made nll preparations TO felease
| tho two agents by force N my demand was not
| complied with. when these preparations were
being made captain Dow ana SIR. Connof ap.
| peartd aud informed me that they had escaped
| nom Preston fofcssH
| lie proceed Having now under ny p'otcc.
ton all the Americans VINO had hfcn afrohed,
| and hearing the firing OF the Government troops
from Panama. Who were driving The insurgent
| forces before them into their hafricade In ire
| town, ordered lieutenpnt Judd with his force
TO leave sufficient mcn to protect the properly of
the Pseitc Mail Company, aud chen 20 take pos.
kesaion OF the United states Consulate aud the
offices and siorehoukes OF tho Panama Railroad
| Company, aud TO use his force for the protection
OF this American property This was done
Here follows the story OF the light between
| pftst0n's forces and the Government troops aud
the burning Of Colon substantially as has already
been siVen. The Commander adds.
The crew OF II. u. NJ. gunboat Lily rendered
| great assistance In saving the shipping AZ the
whafves none OF whcn was destroyed. The IRE
did not extend 10 the Panama Canal Company's
property at ChTstoph Colon. AL that has been
saved of the town al Aspinwal Is due TO tue pro.
lection afforded by this shin and the efficiency
and hard work OF the officers and men IN nshting
the ire"
Heconcludes. "rhe difficulties OF the after.
noon OF March so could have been avoided had !
been informed in time regarding the arms on the
Colon