Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-27
PANAMA'S COMING FIGHT.
THE REBELS READY TO RESIST
THE COLOMBIAN TROOPS.

BIOodshed and Loss of Life Inevitable
Gen. Aizpuru Vainly Tries to Induce
the American Forces to Withdraw
Barrioades Being Thrown Up in the
City.
NEW YORK, April 26.-The following
dispatch was received in this city to-
day from Panama, dated April 26, and
signed by j. A. Scrymser, President of the
Central and South American Telegraph
Company; "All troops were Withdrawn
from this city last night. The conse-
quences cannot be foreseen, but that there
will be serious trouble on the arrival of
the Colombian troops due here
tonight is certain. Gen. Aizpuru has
proposed to the commander of the
United States forces here to
withdraw his troops to the station Of the
Panama railroad company, Gen. Aizpuru
guaranteeing the security of the city.
Gen. Aizpuru, however well disposed,
will not be able to prevent the destruction
of property and life. Barricades are be-
ing erected in the streets, and sand
bag defenses 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. 1t is considered cruel for the
United States forces to occupy the town
and then to withdraw, leaving the people
helpless and the city'in control Of law
less mob"
AMERICAN INTERFERENCE DEMANDED.
President Scrymser, of the Central and
South American Telegraph Company, TO-
day telegraphed as follows to Secretary of
State Bayard: "All the American troops
were withdrawn from Panama last night.
The town is in the hands of the rebels.
The streets are now barricaded. The
consequences cannot be fOreseen.
l have telegraphed 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 to our
property and men. At present the United
States have by treaty all the rights and
obligations that Colombia has, and must
be held responsible for damage done to
American property or for failure to keep
open for communication Similar dis
patches were also sent to Secretary of
the Navy Whitney and the manager Of
the company at Galveston.
COLOMBIA's STRANGE DEGREES.
WASHINGTON, April 26.-Secretary
Bayard recently received a letter from
SenOr Becerra, the Colombian Minister
here, announcing that the Colombian
government had issued decrees closing
the ports Of Panama, Sabanilla, Santa
Marta and Baranquilla to foreign com
merce on account Of their being in pos
session Of insurgents, and virtually de-
claring insurgent vessels engaged in hos
tile operations against CartagenaltO be pi-
rates. Secretary Bayard has replied in
long communication in which he says:
First. This government, following the
recognized tenets international law, does
not admit that the decree of a sovereign
government closing certain national ports
in possession of foreign enemies or of in
surgents has any international effect I'M
less sustained by blockade force sufli-
cient to practically close such ports.
NOT PIRATES.
Second. That the government of the
United States cannot regard as piratical
vessels manned by parties in arms against
the government of the United States of
Colombia when such vessels are passing
TO and from ports held by such insurgents.
or even when attacking ports in possess
sion of the national government, what
ever may be the demerits of the vessels i'm
the power of the insurgents or whatever
may be the status of those manning
them. Under the municipal law of COlom-
bia, if they be brought by act of the ma
tiOnal government within the operation
of that law, there can be no question that
such vessels, when engaged as above
stated, are not by the law of nations pi-
rates, nor can they be regarded as pirates
by the United States.
AN EXTRAORDINARY ASSEMBLY.
To-day an extraordinary assembly was
summoned to consider the situation.
Gen. Aizpuru was confirmed in his posi-
tion as President, which he will hold
until the arrival of Gen. Villa and the
troops from Buenayentura, when the
peace commission will be dis
patched on board the gun
boat BOyaca for the purpose of negO.
tiating for an amicable arrangement of
the troubles and a cessation Of hostilities.
Speeches Of "A pacific nature were made by
several prominent citizens. Other citi-
zens strongly deprecated American Occu-
patton Of the town. Everything continues
quiet, but uneasiness is still shown. The
United States steamer Iroquis arrived
here yesterday.