The times., 1899-11-12
STRANGE FIGHTING CRAFT.
Stern-WheeI Steamers on the Mag
daIena Turned Into GunbOats.

ttrOm the New York Irlhune.)
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
over 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 mis- 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 to fee
from the country, a despatch was received
from Panama announcing the outbreak OF
a revolution in the Department of San
lander Republic of Colombia. Santander
is one of the interior departments of Co
lombia, and it is rather significant to note
that it is bounded on the east by Vene-
zuela.
Colombia was known TO be in a bad con-
dition financially. and for that reason per-
sons familiar with the affairs of the repub-
lie were confident the uprising was lot sole
ly Of Liberal origin. For time there was
considerable speculation as to the cause Of
the trouble, but finally a despatch was re-
ceived via Kingston Jamaica saying that
the revolution was started by an ansrchistic
element Of the Liberal party for the puTpOs5
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 Cartagena 10
NJ. a.
seizure of a number OF the large stern
wheel steamers used for conveying freight
and passengers TO the interior OF the eoun-
try.
These stern wheel steamers are not unlike
a farryboat in shape though their coustruc-
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
frat that the least motion causes them JG
yibrate These steamers the insurgents
armed with troops. and started out to get
control Of the Magdaleua.
The river runs through a low Jungle alive
with alligators, birds Of brilliant pIumagc.
and chattering monkeys, and with a toli-
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 it is
reported that on October a a battle was
fought by these strange craft near Puerto
Nacional. a little mud village about 300
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 a few miles of Honda.
Strange though it may seem. the old
I Spanish. conquerors established the nation
al capital at one of the most inaccessible
/ parts Of the country. BOgota is almost at
I the summit Of the Andes, and after leav-
/ ing Honda there is a tOilsOme journey OF
( three days by muIeback over the noun
/ tains. Owing to the difficulties of trans
( portation it is next to impossible for any
army OF revolutionists to reach the capital