The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-04-27
THE IsTHMUs TROUBLE.
Panama Taken Possession of by
United States Marines.
General Azipuru Captured and Held a
Prisoner.
The American Troops Afterward
Withdraw-Serious Trouble Ex-
pected.

PANAMA, April %, via Galveston. on.-Yester-
day morning strong barricades were being
erected in the streets near the Gable Com
pany's Office, which would have cut off all
communication, had not the same been sam
marily removed, as the Gable office is situated
in that part of the town near the battery and
two cuartels. Seven hundred troops left
Buenaventura under command OF General
Villa this morning at o'clock, being toWed in
hulk by the Colombian gunboaJ Boyaca, and
on q schooner towed by the Canal Company's
tugboat. An attack would have taken place
Immediately on the arrival Of these troops
Sunday night or Monday morning, but at half
past two yesterday afternoon the United
States forces appeared on the scene as II Dy
magics three taps Of the drum being the signal
by which they started. Three columns en-
tered the city and had full possession in about
ten minutes, knocking down the barrcades as
they passed through the streets. At call OF
the bugle the Colombian guards withdrew in
to the cuartels. This splendid coup de main
has undoubtedly prevented another disaster
Eimilar to the burning OF Colon. Company A,
undeE command of Capt. Meeker and Lieuts.
Denny and Wood, Company E, under COM
mand of Capt. Fagin, and Company O, under
command Of Lieuts. Turner and Filiette, with
a batt3ry in charge OF Midshipman Seymour,
are guarding the various streets and Wharves.
CoHaaany e, under command of Leuts. Berry
man and Sutton, are guarding the Gable office,
and one company is left in charge Of the
barracks. Gen. Azipuru and his ministers
were captured. When AZipuru was arrested
he tainted several times and fell in the street
and acted hysterically when taken to the Con-
snlate. He is held prisoner at Shuber's
Hotel. The troops are in good health. At 3
O'Clock last evening Capt. Cochrane OF Com
pany g arrived from Colon. He says he
traversed the entire length of that city Thurs
day evening with three marines, and found the
people so paralyzed that they made no Demon
stration, offensive or otherwise. The residents
gathered in groups, whispering and silently
crowding the balconies. The marines continue
nnder arms in the city.
Colon, via Galveston, April 26.-The super
iLtendent of the Panama Railroad sends the
following cable despatch:
The American forces occupied Panama Friday as
case Of necessity. understand Washington or
ders to withdraw as soon possible. This will
be fatal if carried out, but / will withdraw every
American employe and proceed with them to New
York. The transit cannot be kept open unless
Panama is held by United States forces or BY
good government.
PANAMA via Galveston, April 26.-Every-
thing 10 quiet here and Lieut.. 7. B. M. Mason
is in charge Of the Panama Railroad. The
superintend dent of the Gable companN has re-
caived message from the New York Office
offering the free use of the cable and land
wires for American officers who may wish to
send social or other messages to friends in the
United States.
New YORK, April 26.-The following dis
patch was received in this city to-day from
Panama:
Ali the troops were withdrawn from this city last
night. The consequences cannot be foreseen but
that there will be serious trouble the arrival of
the Colombian troops due here tonight is certain.
Gen. Azipuru has proposed to the commander of
the United States forces here to withdraw his
troops TO the station Of the Panama Railroad Com
pany, Gen. Azipuru guaranteeing the security of
the city. Gen. AZipuru, however well disposed,
will not be able to prevent the destruction of prop
arfv nd Rarricadng beinU aracted in the
streets and sand bag defences are being constructed
on the balcony of the barracks. This shows that
the insurgents are determined to fight in the town.
The native feeling here is very strong. and it is
considered cruel for the United States forces to
cupy the town and then withdraw, leaving the peo-
pie helpless and the city in the control OF lawless
mob
President Scrymser of the Central and
South American Telegraph Company to-day
telegrsphed as follows TO Secretary Of State
Bayard:
All the American troops were Withdrawn from
Panama last night, and the town IS in the hands OF
the rebels. The streets are now barricaded Snd the
consequences cannot be foreseen. have telegraph
ed as follows to the superintendent Of the company
at Panama:
Demand in writing from the American consul or
commandant of the United States forces protection
States has by treaty all the rights and obligations
Colombia has and must be held responsible for the
damage done to American property or for failure to
keep open communication
WASHINGTON, april zo.--SenOr becarra, ths
Colombian minister, on April 9th, communi-
Gated to Secretary Bayard the decree Of his
government which declared that the ports OF
San Bella, Santa Marta and Baranquilla had
been closed to foreign commerce. To this
Secretary Bayard replied that the United
States copld not regard such declaration as
effective unless it were shown that said ports
were to be closed by competent blockade and
stated that the government of the United
States must regard utterly nugatory pro
Carnations closing ports which the United
States of Colombia do not possess under color
of q naval force which 1t is not even pretended
to be competent to constitute blockade.