The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1901-11-23
COLON SEIZED BY REBELS
Unexpected Night Attack Finds the
Government Forces of Colom-
bia Unprepared.
'pREFECr. GUARDlA, Hello A PRISONER.
Over Twelve Men Killed and About
Thirty wounded United states
GunbOnt Mnchiaa Takes No Part
in the prucectiinEs-Beli That
Panama In Now BEING Attacked.

Colon. Colombia, Nov. 81 (via Calves
ton, Tex.).-The liberals made an un-
expected attack on Colon at eight
o'clock Tuesday night. The govern
ment was not prepared and there was
little resistance. After some fighting
in front of the Quartet and in certain
streets for an hour and half the lib
erals gained possession of all the pub
lie offices and the town of Colon.
The project, Guardia, is prisoner.
Over IL men were killed and about
30 were wounded.
The United States gunboat Machias,
now here, took no part in the proceed
ings.
There has been no telegraphic COM
munication with Panama since Tues
day evening and it is surmised here
that Panama is now being attacked.
Causes CommotfOn at Warrington.
Washington, Nov. 21.-The con-
firmation of the reported capture of
Colon by the Colombian liberals
caused a decided commotion in the
state and navy departments Wednes-
day. There were long conferences
between Secretary Long and Admiral
CrowninshieId and between the admir-
al and the acting secretary of state,
DR.. Hill. Later the two last named
went over to the white house and
saw President Roosevelt. This was
the first time since 1855, when Ad-
miral' 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
sui General Gudger at Panama. He
photographed the state department
that a considerable number of lib
erals had taken passage on the rail-
road (he did not Indicate where) and
arriving at certain point had cut
the telegraph wires and taken up a
rail, thus breaking communication.
Later there came a second message
from Consul General Gudger an
nouncing that Colon had been taken.
This was confirmed more explicitly
by United States Consul Malmros,
stationed at Colon. The latter Off
cial said that Colon was taken by the
rebels Tuesday night. While all
business is suspended, transit is not
interrupted 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 IL lack of purpose on
the part of the liberals to interfere
with transit across the isthmus. 1t
was felt that the brief interruption
caused by the taking up of the rail
and the cutting of the telegraphic
wires was nothing more than tenn
porary device to prevent the govern
ment from hurrying reenforcements
by rail to Colon. The officials find
support for this belief in the fact
that communication was reopened
across the isthmus the moment
Colon was captured.
Precautionary Steps.
Still, as result of the consultation
Wednesday it was resolved to take no
chances of an infringement of the
treaty rights Of the United States.
Therefore, Secretary Hill cabled Con-
sui General Gudger direction to no.
tify all parties who are engaged in mo-
testing or interfering with free transit
across the isthmus that such interfer-
ence must cease. He was also directed
to consult freely with Capt. Perry, the
commander of the United States bat
tleship Iowa. now lying at Panama.
Then Capt. Perry was cabled by Secre-
tary Long to land marines if necessary
for the protection of free transit
the United States. At the same time
Capt. Perry was enjoincd to avoid
blootshed if possible. 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 blue jackets at Colon and &C.
cupying the railway station. The UNI
derstanding at the navy department
y
of about 100 sailors who are employed
in lieu Of marines. of whom the Ma
chias has an insignificant force.
McCren's Dispatch.
The text of Commander McCrea's
dispatch is as follows:
Omitted States Ship Machas Colon.
Nov, 2O,-Secretary Navy. Washington:
The insurgents have possession of the city.
AT the request of the proper authorities I
have landed force for the protection of
(signed) "M'CREA."
A cablegram received from Capt.
Perry at Panama confirms what Con-
sui General Gudger communicated to
the state department Wednesday. 1t
does not appear that Capt. Perry has
yet landed force.
Not Alarmed by Situation.
New York, Nov. 21.-Arturo de
Brigard, consul general of Colombia,
Wednesday received private dis
patches informing him that the lib
erals had surprised and captured the
city of Colon Tuesday night. His
kilograms placed the loss at 10 killed
and 80 wounded. Mr.. Brigard said
that the taking of the town does not
amount to much, as it is not forth
fed place.
New Warden Selected.
Lansing, Mich, Nov. 2O.-Alonzo
Vincent, Of st. Joseph, Mich, has been
elected warden of the Michigan state