Evening star., 1901-11-20
Colombian Liberals Take the Garri-
son by Surprise.
OVER TWELVE KILLED In FIGHT
Thirty More Wounded The
Prefect Guardia a Prisoner
ATTACK ON PANAMA LIKELY

COLON. Colombia. November - (via Gal
weston, TexasD-The liberals made an
expected attack on Colon at s o'clock last
night. The government was not prepared
and there was little resistance After some
fighting in front of the Quartet and in GER
tain streets for an hour and a half the lib
erals gained possession of all the public Of
fees and the town of Colon.
The prefect, Guardia, is a prisoner.
Over twelve men were killed and about
thirty men were wounded.
The United States gunboat Machias, now
here. took no part in the proceedings.
There has been no telegraphic communi-
cation with Panama since last evening, and
it is surmised here that Panama is now be-
ing attacked
NEW YORK, November 20.-At the Of
fee of the Colombian consul general in this
city it was said that official advices as
to the capture of Colon by the liberals had
been received up to today.
The Western Union Telegraph Company's
central cable office here has been advised
that telegraphic communication between Co
Ion and Panama is interrupted, owing to
insurrectonary movements at Colon.
Caused COmmotion Among officials.
The confirmatio of the reported capture
of Colon by the Colombian liberals caused
decided cOmmotion in the State and Navy
Departments today. There were long con-
ferenCes between Secretary Long and naval
officials and the acting secretary of state
DR.. Hill. Later the last named went over
to the White HOuse and saw President
Roosevelt, their visit being preceded by
some energetic telephoning. This was the
first time since 1885. when Admiral Jouett
opened UP transit across the Isthmus of
Panama, that communication had actually
been stopped in such fashion as to seem to
require the interference of the United
States naval forces.
The first news of the trouble at Colon
came from United States Consul General
Gudger at Panama. He telCgraphed the
State Department that considerable num-
Der of liberals had taken passage on the
railroad (he did not indicate where) and
arriving at certain point had cut the tele-
graph wires and taken up a rail, thus
breaking communication.
Capture of Colon Announced.
Later there came second message from
Consul General Gudger announcing that
Colon had been taken. And this was con-
frmed more explicitly by United States
Consul Malmros stationed at Colon. The
latter official said that Colon was taken by
the rebels last night. While all business is
suspended, he said, transit is not interrupt
ed and American life and property are safe
and not likely to be in danger
Taken altogether these dispatches were
regarded by the officials here as Indicating
lack of purpose on the part of the liber-
ais 10 interfere with transit across the
1sthmus- 1t was felt that the brief inter-
ruption caused by the taking up of the rail
and the cutting of the telegraph wires
was nothing more than temporary device
TO prevent the government from hurrying
reinforcements by rail to Colon. and the
officials find support for this belief IN the
TACT that communication was reopened
across the isthmus the moment Colon was
captured.
Instructions CabIed.
Still. as a result of the consultation this
morning, IL was resolved to take no chances
of an infringement of the treaty rights cf
the United States. Therefore Secretary Hill
cabled Consul General Gudger a direction
TO notify all persons who are engaged in
molesting or interfering with free transit
across the isthmus that such interference
must cease He was also directed to con-
suit freely with Captain Perry, the COM
mander of the United States battle ship
Iowa, now lying at Panama. Then Captain
Perry was cabled by Secretary Long to
land marines if necessary for the protec-
tiOn of free transit across the isthmus in
accordance with the treaty rights and cb-
hgatlons OF the United States. At the
same time Captain Perry was enjoined to
avoid bloOdshed if possible.
Sailors From the Machias Landed.
Meanwhile news came that Commander
McCrea of the Machias. which is now lying
at Colon, had anticipated this instruction
from the Navy Department by landing a
force of bluejackets at Colon and Occupy
ing the railway station. The understand
ing at the Navy Department was that the
landing party consisted of about 100 sail
ors, who are employed in lieu of marines
or whom the Machias has an insignificant
force
Commander McCrea's RepOrt
The text Of Commander McCrea's dis
patch is as follows:
~. S. s. Machias.
COLON, November 90
Secretary of Navy, Washington.
The insurgents have possession of the
city. At the request of the proper author
tiles l have landed forces for the protection
OF the property of the railroad.
''MCREA."
cablegram was also received at the
Navy Department from Captain Perry ON
the battle ship Iowa. lying at Panama on
the Pacific coast side of the istnmus This
message was practically the same as that
received at the State Department from
Consul General Gudger at Panama IT did
not indicate that Captain Perry had vat
landed marines The Iowa has a personnel
of 40 enlisted men. including sixty ma
rines. so that with her officers she could
easily land force of 300 men, The Machias
numbers 143 enlisted men in her crew. of
whom twelve are marines.