Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-11

Battlefield and Swept by Bullets and
Flames-BarTiOs'S Successor Chosen and
New Cabinet Formed.
New ORLEANS, April 10th.
w. j. Mitchell OF this city, who arrived
here to-day, from Colon. by British steamer
Australian, gives an interesting account of
the late disturbance there.
He says the battle between the rebels aud
government troops ragged from eight o'clock
in the morning until one. an. during that
time the rifle and artillery fire was incessant.
Suddenly smoke was seen arising from
point inside the rebel barracks. and as there
was a strong wind blowing at the time. the
fire spread rapidly in all directions. Up 10
this time the fight had been confined to one
portion uf the town, but AS the fire spread .he
rebels commenced To scatter AMI retreat. As
soon they appe cared In the streets they
were fired upon anil the fight ragged all over
town. The fire in great Oiliows of flame
swept from street to street ard from the
buildings To The docks and ~harve.. Crowds
of women and children could be seen moving
from place to place amid the whistling bull
lets. and those who escaped being shot down
in the streets, sought protection on board the
ships in the harbor, but great number of
them perished in the flames
1--WE also" continued Mr. Mitchell, '.saw
a large number of civilians, who were killed
by stray bullets before they could seek shell
ter from the leaden hail which swept the
streets. 1t would be impossible to estimate
the number of lives lost in the conflict On
the day after the battle, when the rebels had
retreated into the interior. we visited the
town and saw the streets strewn with dead
bodies and chsrred remains of those who had
been burned to death
Mr.. Mitchell said in regard to the circum-
stances which lead to the arrest of the U. s.
consul, and an officer of the U. s. man-of-
war, Galena, at was in this way
''One of the steamers of the Pacific Mail
Line came to Colon with large number of
guns consigned to order Prestan, the rebel
commander. held bill of lading for the arms
and asked the agent for the line of steamers,
the U. S. Consul, and an officer of the Gale
na, to issue an order for the delivery of the
arms. The order was refused, and Prestan
had the three officials arrested and locked up
inside of his barricades. He then threatened
to have them shot unless they signed the or.
der. This was done under protest, and thev
were released, but in the meantime. the
American war ship had taken the Pacific
Mail steamer to an anchorage in the bay, and
then returned and took possession of the
wharf, but this movement prevented Prestan
from securing the arms, but had he been
aware of it before he released the prisoners,
he doubtless would have had them shot
The action of Prestan in burning Colon is
heartily condemned by Gen. Aizpuru, COM
mander of the rebel forces about Panama. as
an act Gf common brigands and he says if he
is captured he will be shot to death.
The rebels are now in possession of all the
towns in the interior. Great distress pre-.
| n. Al.
town has to be brought from Monkey Hill
near the city. When we left Colon the
forces of the American war ships we're pro-
tecting the Panama railway property and
were feeding the destitute as best they could.
A vast amount of uneasiness prevails there
still, for the reason that it is believed the
rebels will gain the upper hand"
LA LIBERTAp via. Galveston, !
April 10, 1885.
News confrmatory of the reported death of
President Barrios continues to reach this
point. The latest received brings the intel
| ligence of the installation of the successor to
Barrios and gives the names of some of the
cabinet officers
The new President is General Manuel Lii
zandro Barillos ,one of the two Vice Presidents
or Designators. DR.. A. NJ. Arroyo, who has
been president of the Legislature, becomes
Minister OF foreign affairs.
NJ. J Dardon who has been president of
the Supreme Court is Minister of War, and
Martinez Sobral. Minister of the Interior
WAsHrNGToS, April 10.
Secretary Whitney to-day received the fol-
lowing from Capt. Kane of the Galena
"Our forces are now guarding both ends of
the transit. Relief trains are running but
much uneasiness still exists. The news from
Cartagena day reports no change in the
situation"
The arrival of the Swatara, at Aspinwall,
is reported.
Secretary Bayard has received official in
formation from Mr.. Hall, American Minister
to Central America, that General Barrois was
killed in battle, the 2lst instant. Gen. Baril-
los being the constitutional successor, has
assumed the duties of President of Guate-
mala.
The President to-day received the follow
ing telegram from Gen. N L. Barilos dated
La Libertad:
Il have the honor to inform your excel
lency that by the death of Gen Rarrios I
have entered, according the constitution, up
on the exercise of the duties of the presiden-
tial office, and have organized a new cabinet
The attitude of my government will be pure
IL such as is required by dignity and defense
of the country"
Inquiry at the Central American legation
here concerning Gen. Barrillos. elicted the
information that he is a man of wealth, who
is likely to be conservative in his policy, and
that while he was a friend of Barrios and fell
in with him in his scheme for a union of the
Central American States, it is unlikely that
he will care to carry on the war against the
States of San Salvador, Costa Rica and MIC
aragua, begun by Barrios.