The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-12-08
MORE LIKE A MOB
SO-CALLED COLOMBIAN INSURGENT
ARMY is DECIDEDLY NON
DESCRIPT
GREEN AND POORLY ARMED
Government mt Washington In Re-
ceipt of Reports on the Incep-
ton and Growth of the Uprising
One Sanguinary Engagement in
Injury Upon Themselves.

WASHINGTON, Dec. THE govern
ment has received, through one of its
agents, most interesting account, dated
the latter part OF November, of the in
ception and growth of the present revo-
lutionary movement in Colombia. The
revolution, according to this statement,
Is an attempt on the part of the Liber-
ais to GUST the Conservatives, who have
been in power for many years. The
finances of the country are said to be in
a bad shape The rate Of exchange is
eight Colombia dollars for one in gold.
The effect of this state of affairs upon
trade and commerce was disastrous, and
the Liberals saw their opportunity to
revolt. The present revolution is repre-
sented to be well organized with direc-
tories for the nine provinces and mill
military officers of reputation as leaders,
such as Uribe-Uribe, Ruiz, Cigaredo,
etc. Their troops are poorly armed, I'M
disciplined and green, SO for the present
they can carry on only a guerrilla war
fare.
The uprising was premature and in ad-
vance of the arrival of proper arms and
supplies, being melted by the sister revo--
luton in Venezuela. The disturbance
began in Santander, which is now the
center of the revolution. The garrisons
of the coast towns and ports, when the
adVices were sent, were being hurried to
the scene of revolt by the government,
and only a few ragged conscripts were
left for protection. The regular troops
were asserted to be 10000 strong. we'll
armed with Mausers, and disciplined, but
SO far as the agent could see they were
really armed with Anticipated guns of
every make.
The revolutionary movement had so
far been confined to Santander, and it
was affirmed that the Liberals would
make no demonstration in Panama and
Colon on account of foreign interests
there. The country was under martial
law. and all males capable of carrying
arms were being impressed into the mil
itary service, SO that state Of terrorism
prevailed.
SANGUINARY AFFAIR.
The principal engagement so far has
been naval one, and the agent gives
graphic account of it, 1t took place
on the night of Oct. "A, at Los Obispos
some 300 miles up the Magdalena river.
below Puerto Nacional. The revolution
lists were embarking on seven river
steamers which they had seized and were
coming down the river, presumably with
the nope of capturing Cartagena or some
other coast town in order to get possess
sion of the custom house and revenues
Thelr steamers were unprotected and I'M
armed, while the government troops were
on two side-wheel vessels, which had
been protected by plating and railway
iron, and were armed with Cuttings and
one Hitchkiss gun.
The two mot IN tbo
steaming up the river at speed of sew
en- knots, the other coming down the
rapid current at twelve to fourteen knots
The government vessels-the Hercules
and Colombia-were charged by the Hell
ena and others Of the insurgent force,
and the Hercules was rammed bv the
Helena, but the blow struck her on the
paddle box and did no material damage
FATAL ERROR.
The general on the Helena then ordered
his pilot to ram another vessel which
the pilot assured him was one of his
own squadron, but, with a revolver to
the mans head, the general insisted
on his order being obeyed. The result
was that the Cristobal Colon, a steam
dredge and his best ship, was struck
amidships and went down, CARRYING with
her $50 men. This loss so disheartened
the insurgents that they put about, ran
their vessels along shore and deserted
them. Other than this one great disas-
ter, there were only eight or ten casual
ties in all, including the generals pilot.
who was promptly shot to cover the mis-
take of his superior.
1t is reported that since then the in
surgents had lost Cigaredo one of their
foremost generals, in a recent engage
ment, and rumorss were current, without
| confirmation, that the insurgents had
! captured Bogota.
With the exception of the capture Of
Rio Hacito by the government forces
| after slight resistance, all government
operations have been confined to the
| province of Santander and to Lima, and
! the seacoast was unaffected except by
martial law, CONSUMPTION and paralyzing
| uncertainty.