New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-02
COLON BURNED BY REBELS.
THOUSANDS OF PERSONS HOMELESS.

| THE TOWN IN AsHES-LIrTLE PROPERTY SAVED
GREAT DEsTrrUTIoN.
| WASHINGTON. April 1.-The following dispatch
| from Commander Kane, of the Galena, has Just
been received by tho Secretary of the Navy:
"Aspinwall is in ashes Burnt by insurgents to
escape capture by Government troops. The Pacific
Mail Dock railroad property Oh the north end Of the
island and the canal property at Crispol are the only
buildings saved. The shipping is safe. / have all
my force ON shore protecting property NY snip is
| and without shelter.
The Aspn wall difficulty was discussed at a on
| and Whitney, Mr.. Adee. of the State Department
and Commander Walker, being present. Mr.
treaty. responsSes @ @ Of the United States in this
matter. Mr. Bayard then went to see the President en-
and late this evening an informal meeting Gt the ,,e
matter. was fully discussed: The coIclusion
reached at this meeting was that while this Govern
ment Is not called upon to take cognizance OF IN
ternal brols at Panama. yet 1t has by treaty guar
anteed free and uninterrupted transit across the
| lsthmus. Acting upon this conclusion, Secretary
Whitney tonight telegraphed orders TO the CON- ,ll
mandant of the BROOKLYN Navy Yard to get all the
available marines at the yard in readiness LOT iI-
mediate departure and to provide also some Gatling
| following dispatch to j. B. Houston. president of
| the Pacific Mail Company at New-York:
| "The Government proposes to have the transit
from Panama to Colon open and uninterrupted in
the shortest possible time. In order that your com
| pany may avail itself of the advantages OF TINS
action. few days delay OF your steamer 10 reGeve
a shipment of armed forces Will be necessary now
| many men can you takeT c..
Mr.. Whitney has also telegraphcd to Captain
Kane of the Galena, at Colon and Consul Aaah,, M t
| condition of the railroad and steamship properly
| and whether transit across the lsthmus remains
open RE said Tonight that If their replies TO THESE
dispatches confirm the present adviccs, the men ana
| guns from the Brooklyn Navy Yard VIII
he forwarded Immediately. He said further
are now en- route for Colon; the Alliance from Key
| West, and the swatara from New Orleans
| PANAMA, April 1.-Communication with Colon Is
reopened. The force sent from here attacked Pres
( tan on the afternoon of March 80 and drove back
a small outpost. On the morning of the 31st, the
| fight in the town of Colon began. Cannons
were used and the firing was heavy.
! Whlle the fight was in progress a fire, the
origin of which is not yet known, broke out in the
town. Pres;an. when he saw that defeat was in
evitable made bis escape. Many of his men were
killed or captured. The town by this time
| was in flames. Everything was swept
| away save few Panama railroad
buildings on the north beach. All the piers, except
the Pacific Mail Company were burned. and all the
railroad company's books were lost. The Canal Com
| pany saved its books and $iG0.00O in specie. Al
the cars on the tracks destroyed The new towt
of Christopher Columbus escaped the flames. The
s1ffering is intense. No water nor food is TO b'
mad. Three cars loaded with supplies will leayt
here tonight. Many OF the citizens are utterly
| ruined All is quiet in Panama. Azpuru VIII seht
troops to hold Colon aud prevent the expected Pill
| lagc
Aaninva or Colon Is situated at the northern or AT
antic extremity OF the railroad, on the isthmu
OF that name The town, which Is built ON the smai
island Of Manzarila In Limas Navy Bay, was foundc'
n 1850 by the railroad company TO which the island be
longs The harbor l. an excellent and Is visited
frequently by steamers Of tue rfaoinc 'nai' ",U
g1e large freight huiiding and wharf are It's mos
I monument structures. The latter extends out LOU
| ieet on a coral reef Since the construction OF th
| panama canal was begun. Aspinwalls population ma
Increased 10 o. 600 By raising IT. level and establish
ing good drainage the healthfulness OF the town ma