The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-11-26
COLOMBIAN Governments FORCES
REPORTED VICTORIOUS OVER
THE LIBERALS
BOTH SIDES SUFFER HEAVILY
American Marines Are Guarding
Railroad Trains and Keeping
an Open Way for Traffic
Across the Isthmus.
BoMBARDMENT INTERDIeTED

marines from the United States 4battie-
ship Iowa has re-established transit
across the isthmus, which was stopped
for while this morning, and details from
the Iowas marines are now protecting
each passenger train.
There has been fierce fighting at Empire
station, on the railroad line between
Panama and Colon, between the in
surgents and the troops of the Colombian
government. with very heavy losses on
both sides.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-It is pretty
well understood here that there is to be
no bombardment of Colon by either side.
While Commander McCrea was given
wide discretionary power and moth
ing was said to him about stopping the
bombardment directly, nevertheless the
state department established a precedent
in these matters last year when it IN
structed Mr.. Gudger to warn some In,
surgents at Panama that they would not
be allowed to lombard that port.
If the government troops on the PinZon
should persist in their purpose it is said
thai the commanders of the various war
ships at Colon would require that ample
time be allowed for the withdrawal from
the town of all foreigners, and the at
tacklng force, to escape restraint, would
be obliged to direct their bombardment
with such rare precision as to destroy the
insurgent defenses without harming the
railroad property, and even without en-
dangering the passage of trains, con-
,ditions probably not to be met.
The secretary of the navy today cabled
Capt. Perry, of the Iowa to assume full
command of all the United States nayaf
forces on both sides of the isthmus, in
order to insure harmonious operations.
Consul General Gudger's last dispatch
was about as follows:
.Our troops have arrived at Mataehin,
half way across the isthmus. No OBJ.
struction and Colombian government
seemed to be victorious over the in
surgents.'
Nothing Definite From Colon.
COLON, Colombia, Nov. 25.-The COM
motion In the streets is ended and calm
now reigns. There is no jubilation, which
Is evidence that the Liberal army is not
advancing towards Panama. 1t is report
ed to have been defeated at Matachin by
Gen. Adams command. The latter IS
said to be pushing on Colon.
seeAt q conference held at / o'clock this
morning on board the cruiser Tribune,
at which Gen. Ignacio Feliaco, Senior dc
la Rosa, secretary of Gen. Diaz, and the
commanders of the foreign -warships were
present, the general agreed, at the com>
mand of the naval commanders and on
the ground of humanity, having in view
the large population of Colon, not to land
troops here or to open fire on the town
before 6 o'clock Friday morning. The
Colombian gunboat Gen. Pinzon is badly
off for provisions and the commanders or
all the warships agreed to supply her
with the necessary stores. The gunboat
has not yet returned to Colon and ner
whereabouts is unknown.
1t is the expectation of the Colombian
authorities to combine land move,
ment under Gen. Alban with that of the
force on the gunboat Pinzon and thus DO
able to recapture the town of Colon.
The action taken by the United States
In landing marines and protecting the
line across the isthmus Is IN conformity
with the wishes of the Colombian govern,
ment and follows a specific request re-
Gently made by Mr. Herran at Washing-
ton. The Colombian authorities are fully
aware that If they retake Colon it must
the hope of any assistance from the
American forces on the ground.
AIban Moving on Foot.
At $50 o'clock this afternoon Gen. Al
ban, at the head Of several hundred men,
left Panama by train for Empire station,
where the liberals were reported to be in
Eairly strong numbers. His purpose was
to surprise and rout them. The train
bearing these troops was held up just
before it arrived at Culebra station, ow-
ing to the Liberals opening fire on AL
bans advance guard. Alban disem-
farked his men from the train, which re-
turned to Panama. The fighting at Cur
eridge and Jacobs, Baptist and Wesleyan