Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-11-20
COLON IS CAPTURED
(iovernment Attacked by Liberals
While Unprspared and Are
Quickly Defeated.
All the Offices and Machinery Of
City Government in Rebel
Hands.
Communication With Pnama In.
terrupted and Attack on
That Place Expected.

Colon. Nov. 20.-The liberals made an
unexnected attack on Colon at o'clock
last night. The government is not pre-
pared and there was little resistance.
After some fighting in front of Quarter
md in certain streets for an hour ana
q half the liberals gained gained posses
sion Of all public offices and the town OF
Colon. The prefect and guardia are
i prisoners. Over twelve men We're Killed
and thirty wounded. The United states
runboat Machias, now here, took no
mart In the proceedings. There has been
no telegraphic communication with "a
mama since last evening, and it is sur
missed here that Panama is now being
attacked.
Washington, Nov. 2o.-The state de-
nartment has received official confirma-
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, senior naval officer
at Panama, has been instructed to land
marines if necessary. to maintain tran
sit Of messages across the isthmus.
A dispatch received at the navy de-
partment from Commander McCrea
states that 100 blue jackets had been
landed from the Machias at Colon and
had taken charge of the railway sta
tion as a matter Of precaution.
washington, Nov. discrimination
OF the reported capture of Colon by the
Colombian liberals caused a decided
commotion in the state and navy de-
partments today. There were long con-
ferences between Secretary Long and
Admiral Crowninshield and between
the admiral and the acting secretary of
state, DR.. Hill. Later the two last
named went over to the white house
Sand saw the president. This was the
first time since 1885. when Admiral
Jouett opened up transit across the
isthmus of Panama, that communica-
tion had actually been stopped in such
a fashion as to seem to require the in
reference OF the United States naval
forces.
Z The first news of the trouble at Colon
came from United States Consul Gener-
al Gudges at Panama He telegraphed
the state department. that a considera-
bic number Of liberals had taken pas
sage on the railroad Che did not indicate
wilere) and arriving at certain point
had cut the telegraph wires and taken
up the rails. thus breaking conlmunica-
tion. Later there came a second mes
sage from Consul General Gudges an
nouncing that Colon had been taken.
This was confirmed more explicitly by
United States ConsuI Malmroc, sta
toned at Colon. The latter official said
that Colon was taken by the rebels last
night, and while all business had been
suspended transit was not interrupted
and American life ana property We're
not likely to be in danger.
Taken altogether these dispatches
were regarded by the officials as indi-
eating a lack Of purpose on the part of
the liberals to interfere with transit
across the isthmus. 1t was felt the brief
interruptions caused by the taking up of
rails and cutting Of telegraphic wires
was nothing more than q temporary de-
vice to prevent the government from
hurrying reinforcements by rail to Co
Ion. The officials find support for this
belief in the fact that communication
was reopened across the isthmus the
moment Colon was captured.
Il Still, as a result of the consultation
today, it was resolved to take no
chances OF infringement Of treaty rights
Of the United States. Therefore, Secre-
tary Hay cabled Consul General Gudger
directions to notify all the parties en-
gagged in molesting or interfering with
free transit across the isthmus that such
Interference must cease. He also di-
rected him to consult freely with Cap
tain Perry, commanding the United
States battleship Iowa, now lying at
Panama. Then Perry was cabled by
Secretary Long to land marines if neces-
DdIy AOT Tic pIOleCllOIl Vi lISe lfduSll
across the isthmus in accordance with
the treaty rights and obligations of the
United States. AT the same time Perry
was enjoined to avoid bloodshed If pos
eible.
Meanwhile news came that Comman-
der McCrea, of the Machias, which is
now lying at Colon, had anticipated this
obstruction from the navy department
by landing force of blue jackets at
Colon and occupying the railway station.
The understanding at the department
was that landing party consisted of
about 100 sailors, who were employed in
lieu of marines, of whom the Machias
las an insignificant force.
TO ACQUIRE coALiNG STATIONS.
Men Of War Will be Prepared to De.
fsnd the Canal.
New York, Nov. 2o.--coaling stations
Tor the use Of the American men-of-
war which will defend the Nicaragua
canal will be acquired by the Unit