The times., 1899-11-19
sTRANeE FIeHTINe cRAFT.
stern-Wheel Steamers on the Mag
daIena Turned Into Gunboats.

tFrom the New York lribune)
When Gen. Cipriano Castro undertook
TO overthrow the Government of Venezuela
he surrounded himself with little band OF
Colombian cowboys. mounted on strong,
hardy mules, able to carry their riders
Uver long stretches of barren country and
TO cross the most dangerous parts Of the
mountain passes without difficulty The
Colombians had nothing against President
Andrade. but, according TO the stories
coming from South America, they were
induced TO link their fortunes with the
Venezuelan rebel chief on his promise that
if he was successful he would allow them
a sufficient supply of arms and ammuni-
tion to begin an uprising in their own
country. The truth Of these stories is in
no way assured, but, by a singular coin
cidence, just at the time that General Cas-
tro compelled President Andrade 10 flee
from the country, a despatch was received
from Panama announcing the outbreak of
a revolution in the Department of San
tander, Republic of Colombia Sautander
Is one Of the interior departments OF Co
lombia and il is rather significant 10 note
that it is bounded on the east by Vene-
zuela.
Colombia was known 10 be in bad con-
dition financially, and for that reason per-
sons familiar with the affairs Of the repub-
lie were confident the uprising was not sole
ly of Liberal origin. For time there was
considerable speculation as 10 the cause OF
the trouble, but finally a despatch was re-
ceived via Kingston. Jamaica. saying that
the revolution was started by an anarchistic
element of the Liberal party for the purpose
OF restoring the financial equilibrium of the
country. Then came the news of the par
tial destruction of the bridges Of the rail-
road running from the city of Cartsgena TO
Calamar on the Magdalena River, and the
seizure of a number Of the large stern
wheel steamers used for conveying freight
and passengers TO the interior Of the COun-
try.
These stern wheel steamers are not unlike
a ferryboat in shape, though their coHstruc-
tion is much lighter, and they are propelled
by means of a large wooden wheel at the
stern of the boat Most of them are so
frail that the least motion causes them to
vibrate. These steamers the insurgents
armed with troops, and started out to get
control Of the Magdalena.
The river runs through a low jungle alive
with aliigators birds of brilliant pIumage,
and chattering monkeys, and with a fOli-
age as luXuTiant as can be found almost
anywhere on earth. Along the river are
little villages of palm thatched huts and
it was at these places that the insurgents
hoped to gain many recruits They were
pursued, however, by two heavier boats.
armed with government troops and il is
reported that on October 24 a battle was
fought by these strange craft near Puerto
NaciOnal. a little mud village about goo
miles from the coast. Seven of the insur-
gent vessels were destroyed. and one sank
with 200 soldiers aboard
While this revolution is on. Of course.
communication with the interior Is i'm
possible The Magdalena is the artery OF
the country, and is navigable for 500 miles,
up to within few miles Of Honda
Strange though II may seem. the old