New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-12-08
COLOMBIA'S REVOLUTION.
AN INsURGENT GENERALS BLUNDER
CAUSES THE LOSS OF MANY LIVES.
COAST CITIES ASD TOWNS GUARDED BY
ONLY FEW RAGGED CONsCRIPTs-IN-
sTRGENTS IN HARD LUCK

ONLY A FEW RAGGED CONSCRlPTS-lN"
sURGENTs IN HARD LUCK.
Washington. Dec THE Government has
received through one OF It's agents a most inter-
esting account. dated the latter part of Novem-
Der. OF the inception and growth Of the present
revolutionary movement in Colombia the
revolution. according 10 this statement Is an
attempt on the part OF the Liberals to Dust the
Conservatives who have been In power Tor
many years The finances Of the country are
said to be in bad condition; the present rate OF
exchange is eight Colombian silver dollars for one
in gold. but fen to one is often given. Inc
effect OF this state Of affairs upon trade ana
commerce was disastrous. and the Liberals sa"
their opportunity to revolt
The present revolution is represented 10 %
we'll organized. with directories for each OF the
nine provinces and military officers OF repu-
tation as leaders, such as Uribe-Uribe, Huiz
and Cigarero. Their troops are poorly armed
undisciplined and green. so that for the present
they can carry on only a guerilla warfare Inc
uprising was premature and in advance or the
arrival Of proper arms and supplies, peihg IN
cited by the sister revolution In Venezueia-
The disturbance began in Santander when IL
now the centre Of the revolution The garrsons
OF the coast towns and ports when the advices
were sent were being hurried to the scene Oh
revolt by the government. and only ie"
ragged conscripts were left at the posts Inc
regular troops were asserted to be lO,OU strong
well armed with Mausers and disciplined put
so far as the agent could see they were reahy
armed with Anticipated guns OF every make
The revolutionary movement had so FAR oeeh
confined TO santander, and It was affirmed that
the Liberals would make demonstration In
Panama and Colon, account OF foreign inter-
ests there. The country was under martial law
and all males capable OF carrying arms were
being Impressed into the military service, so
that state Of terrorism prevailed.
FIERCE FIGHTING ON THE MAGDALENA'
The principal engagement far has been
naval one and the agent gives a graphic &C
count Of this 1t took place on the night or DC
tober "a at Los Obispos, some three hundred
miles up the Mlgdalena River below puerto
Naccional The revoutionists were embarking
on seven river steamers which they had seized'
and were coming down the river presumably
with the hope Of capturing Cartagena or Barran-
quilla in order to get possession OF the custom
house and revenues Their steamers were I'M
protected and unarmed while the government
troops were on two similar vessels. which had
been protected by plating and railway iron and
were armed with Gatlings and one Hotchkiss
gun The two fleets met In the dark, one steam
Ing up the river at speed Of seven knots the
other coming down the rapid current at Twelve
to fourteen knots. The government vessels the
Hercules and the Colombia, were charged oy the
Helena and others OF the insurgent force. and
the Hercules rammed by the Helena, but
the blow struck her on the paddle box and ola
no material damage 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 command be-
ing obeyed.
SINKING OF THE CRISTOBAL COLON.
The result that the Cristobal Colon. q
steam dredger and his best ship. was struck
amidships and went down, carrying with her
two hundred and fifty men. This loss SO dis
heartened the insurgents that they put about,
ran their vessels along shore and deserted them.
Other than the one great disaster. there were
only eight or ten casualties in all. including the
generals pilot, who was promptly shot 10 cover
the mistake Of his superior.
1t was reported that since then the insurgents
had lost Cigarero Of their ablest generals, in
a recent engagement, and rumOrs current
without confirmation that the insurgents had
captured Bogota. With the exception Of the
capture OF Rio Hacha by the government forces
after slight resistance all operations have been
confined TO the original provinces OF Santander
and Tolima, and the seacoast unaffected
except by martial law, conscription and paralyz-
ing uncertainty.
Shortly before the outbreak of the revolution the
standing army OF Colombia cut down to about
1000 men, that II there are now 10000 men under
arms 1000 recruits must have been raised in an
ceedngly short time. The Colombian troops
a we'll drilled body OF men. and. like most OF the
native South Americans. when led by good officers
they will advance In the face OF any opposition
Captain H. r. Lemly. formerly OF the United
States Artillery, FOR number OF years was IN the
seryce OF the Colombian Government as military
Instructor and while he was there the troops were
equipped with modern rifles.
There can be no truth in the rumor that the in
surgents have captured Bogota. dispatches have
come out Of the national capital since the account
OF the revolution received by the State Depart
ment, was written.
TIE TPTST MAY MAKE CIGARS