New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-29
POSITION OF THE AMERICAN FORCES.

INTENSE HOSTILITY OF THE NATIYEs-AIZPURU
AND HIS CoMRADEs-sANITARY CONDITIONS.
IFRoM A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.i
Colon, April 19.-The troubles on tho
Isthmus are by no means over, and no one
is wise enough to the end. In the
whole complicated state of affairs only one
thing is certain that the eagle screams from Colon
10 Panama and the United States has asserted it
self with vigor that has not been equalled since
TIE Stars and Stripes Haunted in the halls OF
the Montezumas."
II was nearly ii o'clock or Wednesday night last
when the steamship Acapulco. having on board
Captain b. II. McCalla who had been sent down to
take command of the land forces on the Isthmus
under Rear Admiral Jouett) and naval brigade OF
45O marines and blue jackets, arrived in sight or
the lights that burned in what was left Of the city
of Colon. AS we passed up toward the city tho
light of fires in the camps Of the refugees and the
riding lights on the men-ofwar in the harbor could
be plainly seen. OF the mainland were the lights
of other camp-fres, and on the sea breeze, which
made the heat of the sultry night bearable, came
the sound of drums. For nearly nine days we had
received no news from the outside world, and tha
state of affairs in Colon could only be surmised All
the trip down Captain McCalla and his subordinate
officers had been hard at work. and the body of men.
gathered from widely severed posts some at only
few hours notice. and under arms together be-
fore had been formed into an organization that
worked with the accuracy of machine. So
we were prepared for the worst and as the Acapulco
ncared the city the long roll rang through the snip
and the men turned out armed and equipped with
two days, rations IN their haversacks and ready 70
force a landing if necessary. Fortunately there
was no need to do so for We soon learned that the
sailors aud marines from the feet occupied the city'
and that things were comparatively quiet. captain
\. n t..t th.. naF n
ncssce, steam launch sent for him, and he
went to report to Admiral Jouett. The next morn
ing a: daylight the Acapulco went alongside tho
pier and the forces were landed, relieving the sail
ors and marines from the feet.
NATIVE TROOPS Ar THE RUINS OF COLON.
OF what was once the flourishing city of Colon
but few houses remain standing. Everywhere arc
the blackened walls of ruins and cellars filled wish
charred debris. Hundreds of persons perished IN
the fire and the bodies of men, women and children
are still found among the ruins The only law here
il the law Of the American forces. and this applies 10
the whole Isthmus. If the troops were removed, an
archy would result Many OF tho natives here are
sympathzers with the rebel Prestan or OF tho rem
nants of his gang, aud are not particularly wen
disposed toward the "Gringoes." as they call tho
Americans 1t is not safe to go about the city az
night unarmed as all the natives carry reyoiyers'
and MANY of them would count it a holy and patri-
otic thing TO kill one of the An,eyicdaos Every nghs
there are alarms along the ine but nothing serious
has vet been attempted by the rebels
There are about 100 Colombian troops in the city
under command of General Ulloa. They are all
that is left of the forces which drove Prestan out OF
the city. Fire and wounds and desertlon have
claimed the Others. There is an outpost OF Colon
bian troops at Monkey Hill. where the battle which
forced Prestan to evacuate the city took place. All
the Colombian soldiers here arc without resources
in the matter of food. They are almost all negroes
or Indians and their uniform consists OF red caps
for the privates and blue caps for the Generais'
belieye all the officers called Generals The resi-
o their attire is more remarkable for its picturesque
ness than its quantity or quality. Their IDEAS OK
drill and discipline seem to be confined TO having
gigantic negro appear in front Of the barracks every