New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-10
& BAD OUTLOOK AT COLON.
TROUBLE FEARED FROM DISCHARGED
WoRKMEN ON TIE CANAL THIS WEEK.
IEsoM a SPECIAL coRsEssosDEsr q TIE IniBusE


lysox SPECIAL cossEsacsD 9. q TIE rssrsn
The work on the Panama Canal n
practically at standstn, ana those cog.
infant OF the condition Of affairs IN the company
have little hope Of Its being resumed at near date
II ever. prominent official Of the canal said tho
other day that the canal dead and he had small
hope that Il would ever be completed According to
him IL viii take s25oO0 900 TO finish the work, and
company that had sunk $500, 100000 already could
scarcely raise such an amount The only chances
he said, was that new company might DO formed
that could buy out the old one for next to nothing
and then be able to raise the necessary amount Of
capital When the old company passed into the hands
Of receiver, arrangements were made TO continue
the work untI February 10, In order that they might
have a chance 70 put through one OF their numerous
schemes for raising money. But as that day ~,
preached II became evident that they would not sue
coed and every one In Colon accepted what appeared
70 be the Inevitable, when news arrived that the
receiver had once more made arrangements with tho
contractors to continue another month, or unsl
March Is, in order to give the company another
chance Now 1t appears that the old company IL
doomed and nothing Is hkeiy to save them. AZ .
natural consequence the gloom in Colon Is very great
among all classes merchants, railroad employees and
workmen.
Every one seems bent on making as much money
possible before the crash comes, for when the
canal shuts down finally the business Of Colon win
decrease so per cent AS natural consequence, this
is the all absorbing topic with every one. Some nsit
that though tho canal may stop work for Short
time it must inevitably be resumed, as II Is impossible
that the amount Of money that has been sunk in TIE
canal should be lost forever for the want Of enough
TO complete It, On the other hand, and these inclnds
the most cear-headed men, some say that without anr
doubt the canal has failed irretievaby. The closing
down of work the canal VIII, of course, affect tbs
Panama Railroad more largely than any other enter
prise, they will be deprived OF the carrying tzads
of the canal supplies and the depression 10 all business
will initiate against them. The new superintendent
Colonel Rves, has brought the affairs Of the road
high state of prosperity. The company has just
declared dividend Of 20 per cent, and this Is tho
arst that the stockholders have received for i've years
OF course, when their business begins to fs OF thcrs
will be large reduction in all the branches Of the
road, and many of the Americans who are connected
with IL Will have to seek employment elsewhere or
return to the United States
The number of employees the canal Sas been
gradually reduced for several months past, and
now there arc only between 5000 and
10000 left. Many Of the discharged
men have been contracted with for other enterprises
IN sdjoining countries. Tho Costa Rica Railroad
has taken large number Of them. Only last week
q body of 500 sailed on the Royal Mall Steamship
Para for Fort Lmon, Costa Rica, under contract
It is a matter OF gravest apprehension 10 the
people Of Colon what win be the action Of these
men when the canal finally closes down and they
srs left without work or any way Of procuring that
wherewith 10 live. AS this day VIII doubtless be
Masch Is, everybody expects there VIII be serious
trouble. The majority Of these negroes and
imported cheap labor, and II they effect entrance
into Colon they win without doubt terrorze and
loot the city. This win of course be resisted at all
hazards and the authorities Of the city we'll as the
commanders Of the men-otwar In tho harbor ara
giving al their attention to this subject and viii act
In unison TO prevent the entrance Of this mob into
tho city. The only means Of passage from the head
Of the canal to Colon Is By the railroad, and tho
company viii lend their hearty cooperation TO any
plan that VIII prevent the danger OF the destruction
Of their property.
II the work closes down on March is. It Is ex-
pectcd that the Atlanta and osspee win land their
battalion Of marines and blueiackets and take pos
session Of tho entrance OF the railroad into the town
Tboy VIII obstruct the track and hold it With the;r
Gstlings and small Tho British and French
men-of-wsr win also land enough men to protect
their Ccnsuiatar and those together with the police
and Colombian troops WIN doubtless be able to pre-
vent any disturbance 1t is also whispered that the
Colombian authorities have received intim tion that
largo revolution Is at present brewing and IL is feared
that the revoatlonists may select the day that tho
men on the canal are discharged and rse In arms.
Tho Americans and Europeans in the city have formed
volunteer corps, and arc arming and drilling so az
TO be prepared for trouble 1t is also understood that
tho Atlanta's and Osspees battalion are being
thoroughly drilled and organized for service ashore
They can land over 800 and battery Of Calling
and Hotehkiss guns
feature Of the trouble not generally understood
IS this: The worhmen of the lower classes live In
camps and hsmlets along tho line of the canal. and
these thickiy settled During tho last few months,
in fact, since the funds of the canal company have
been low they have been dlscharging men, with the
understanding that IN the enterprise should again
look up. they would again be employed In view Of
this, these worlmen have hung about the camps, and
arc even now utterly destitute When the final crash
comes they VIII form important factor In tho up
rising that seems so certain to occur. Among the
worhnen are all classes aud all nationaities When
this mob becomes hungry hero can be no system
In their movements, no reason in their demands The
Colombian authorities recently issued circular.
stating that they were fully capable Of taking care
Of these people, and could be fully depended on 10
Keep order. But the greater proportion of the In
nabtants consider this mere bluH. and do not wish
to trust TO their help alone Detachments OF Co
ombian soldiers parade the principal street daily Dat
they few In number and are understood, ana IS
their future opponents far away, such means are
hardly the ones to keep down rebeiious action IN
crowd OF hungry mon.
One OF tho questions that has disturbed the Amer
leans here is What the French aud English troops
to do In case OF troublei Are they to land armed
forces Oh the Isthmus will they DO content Win
Consular guard II is likely that they VIII % con-
tent with the latter, aud viii not raise any usu
questions by landing their entire force.
WASBFRW0NFy ON STRTHE