The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-21
C0LOMBIAN REBELS ATTACK AND
CAPTURE THE CITY AFTER A
SHORT FIGHT
LEADER KILLED At OUTSET
Capture Held to he of Not Much I'm
portance and the City Can
BE Easily Retaken at
Any Time
PANAMA PREPARES TO FIGHT

WASHINGTON, Nov 20.-The state de-
apartment has received official eonfilma-
ton of the capture of Colon by the Lib
erals. Transit was interrupted for a
brief period but is now restored. Capt
Perry, of the Iowa, the senior naval Of
ficer at Panama, has been instructed to
land marines if necessary to maintain
tranquility across the isthmus.
Confirmation Of the reported capture Of
Colon caused a decided commotion in
the state and navy departments today.
There were long conferences between
Secretary Hay and Admiral CroWnin-
shield and between the admiral and the
acting secretary of state, DR.. Hill. Lat
er the two last named went over to the
White house and saw President Roose-
velt This was the first time since 1885,
when Admiral Jouett opened up transit
across the Isthmus of Panama, that COM
mupication had actually been stopped in
such fashion as to seem to require the
interference of the United States naval
forces.
As a result of the consultations, it was
resolved to take no chances of an in
fringement of the treaty rights of the
United States. Therefore Secretary Hill
cabled Consul General Gudger a direction
to notify all parties who are engaged in
nolesting or interfering with free transit
across the isthmus that such interference
must cease. He was also directed to
consult with Capt. Perry, the command
er of the battleship Iowa, now lying at
Panama
While Capt. Perry was cabled by Sec
retary Hay to land marines if necessary
for the protection of free transit across
the isthmus, in accordance of the treaty
rights and obligations Of the United
States, at the same time he was enJoined
to avoid blOOdSba6 r1ccil,In
American Marines Landed
Meanwhile news came that Commander
McCrea, of the Machias, which is now
lying at Colon, had anticipated this in
Stfuction from the navy department by
landing a force of blue jackets at Colon
and occupying the railway station. The
understanding at the navy department
was that the landing party consisted Of
about 100 sailors, who are employed in
lieu of marines, CT which the Maehias
has an insignificant force The text of
Commander McCrea's dispatch from Col.
on is es follows:
THE insurgents have nossession of the
city At the request Of the proper
authorities I have lanued force for the
protection of the property of the rail-
road
The news of the situation came to the
Colombian legation here this afternoon in
the following cablegram from Gen. Ar
jona, acting governor of Panama in the
absence of Gen. Alban, who is leading
the Chorrera expedition:
Panama. Nov. 2O.-Colon is being at
tackled. Scarcity of troops here. Traffic
may be Interrupted
While the above dispatch does not state
that the city has fallen Mr.. Herran, the
Colombian charge d'affaires at Wash
ingon, credits The news to this effect, that
has come through diplomatic and navai
channels.
Can BE Easily Recaptured.
When asked as to what results may be
expected from the capture of the city, Mr.
Herran sad: "It will depend entlrely
upon the success or failure of the ex-
petition under Gen. Alban, which is neaT-
ed for Chorrera to engage the insurgents
at that point. If Gen. Alban is success
full the recapture of Colon should be a
comparatively easy matter But if, on
the other hand, the government expedi-
tion should be defeated, the results un.
Continued IN Fifth Page.