The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-21
CAPTURE OF COLON
TAKEN BY COLOMBIAN INSURGENTS
AFTER A BRIEF ENGAGEMENT.
Little Resistance Onered by the Small
Government Force. which Did
Not Expect an Attack.
CASUALTIES WERE SLIGHT
ABOUT ONE DOZEN MEN KILLED AND
THIRTY MORE WOUNDED.
Communication with Panama by TeIe-
graph and Railway interrupted
Only for Short Time.
AMERICAN SAILORS LANDED
ONE HUNDRED FROM THE MACHIAs
GUARDING THE RAILROAD.
Captain Perry, Of the Battleship Iowa,
Instructed to Land Marines at
Panama IL Necessary.
GEN. ALBAN AFTER THE REBELS
Captain Perry, of the Battleship Iowa
Instructed to Land Marines at
Panama IL Necessary.
GEN. ALBAN AFTER THE REBELS
HAS LEFT PANAMA TO ATTACK THE
MAIN LIBERAL FORCE.
VIII Then Go to Colon and Drive Ont
the Enemy Messages from
ConsuIs and Naval Officers.

COLON, Colombia. Nov. 2o.-The Liberals
made an unexpected attack on Colon at
O'Clock last night The government was
not prepared and there was little resist
ance. After some fighting in front of the
cuartel and in certain streets for an hour
and a half the Liberals gained possession
OF all the public offices and the town Of
Colon. Only twelve men were killed and
about thirty men were wounded The
United States gunboat Machias took no
part In the proceedings but landed sailors
later.
On receipt of the news that General AL
ban. the military commander of the
fsthmus. had started to attack the Liberals
at Chorrera. near Panama, the latter de-
tached 160 men under General Patino to at
tack Colon. This force embarked on board
q train bound from Panama to Colon yes
terday evening at Las Cascades station.
previously cutting off telegraphic communi-
cation across the isthmus. On arriving at
the outskirts of Colon. where the govern
ment usually maintained small guard, the
Liberals left the train, and in the initial
skirnish which began soon afterward Pa
tino was killed.
The command of the Liberals then de-
volved on Col FREDERICK de Barrera, and
they continued their march Colon. ar
irving there a few minutes after the train
thus surprising the whole town. The gov
ernment troops al Colon were outnumbered
by the Liberals. Fighting Immediately be-
gan at the cuartel (barracks). which was
soon taken. There Senior Jaen. a judge Of
the Criminal Court. was killed and Senor
Muskus. the district representative of the
Department OF the Interior, was mortally
wounded
Fighting subsequently occurred at the
Town Hall, which was also taken by the
Liberals. Among the prisoners captured by
the Liberals were the prefect guardia and
the commandante of police.
Senior Paredes. the mayor, managed to
reach the gunboat General Pinzon. which
sailed last night for a destination un-
known, probably Carthagena The whole
affair was over in less than three hours
Communication with Panama was re-
stored to-day. This revealed that no fight
ing had occurred there, that everything
was quiet and that the city was still in
the hands of the government The issue
now depends on the result Of the fighting
which is doubtless now occurring at Choir
rera. news of which is anxiously awaited
here.
The Liberals busy raising reinforce
ments locally. They are reported to have
several hundred men at different railroad
stations between here and Panama
The United States gunboat Machias
landed a detachment Of marines here this
morning. They are now guarding the rail-
road station and other property of the
road.
AT a conference between Commander Nc
Crea. of the Machias. United States Consul
Malmros, Colonel Shaler. superintendent of
the Panama Railroad. and Colonel Barrera.
commander OF the Liberals. the latter was
Informed why the marines had been landed
from the Machias. Barrera promised to
guard the city with his troops Trains
will be crossing the isthmus as usual to-
morrow. There has been no obstruction of
free transit so far
The news OF the capture OF Colon, which
reached Panama when communication with
that city was restored this morning. was
a great surprise 10 the inhabitants of that
city.
According 10 the latest news received here
from Panama nothing has yet been heard
in that city concerning the outcome of
General Albans's expedition against the
Liberal forces at ChOrrera. II is said that
information OF the recent happenings AT
Colon has been sent TO him. In the mean.
time the government troops at Panama.
numbering about 800 men. are busily en-
gagged in the construction OF earthworks
and barricades at the railroad bridge going
into the city in anticipation OF an early
Liberal attack.
Colonel Shaler says that no request has
been made upon him for a special train
20 convey the government troops TO Colon
tonight II such a request Is made IL
will be granted. but Colonel ShaIer does
not consider IL likely The Liberals claim
TO have at least 200 in possession OF
the different railroad stations on the line
between here and Panama These men
would doubtless do their utmost 10 prevent
the transportation Of government troops
10 this point.
Tr.lffic across the isthmus by railroad