The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-26

Colon. Colombia. November 23-Many
versions are current. all based in favor
OF the liberals. regarding the where
abouts and fate OF General Adams ex-
pedition. which left Panama on Sunday
last. The following is the most authen.
tic and plausible:
on arriving off Perequete. distant
about thirty miles from Panama and
ten m IS beyond Chrorrera as the crow
flies, General Alban. on the gunboat
Boyaca, sent forward two schooners
which grounded. The liberals on land
Immediately opened a terrible rifle fire
upon these vessels. causing much havoc
on board. General Alban then ordered
the Boyaca's boats - go to the assist
ance of the schooner The crew Of the
Boyaca accompanied. with the result
that many of them were wounded and
the boats returned to the Boyaca.
When ordered for the second time TO
go TO the assistance of the schooners
the boats crews refused on the ground
that II was useless to do so and that
such step meant sure death to them.
Hence the Boyaca returned to Panama
on Thursday night. taking many
wounded men with her. The liberals
claim that 800 men OF General Adams
force were captured in this way and
| that thy now strengthen the liberal
ranks.
1t has been held all along that Gem
eral Alban undertook no easy task
| when he attempted to land troops in
| the vicinity of Chorrera. The generals
| return to Panama was looked forward
to with great hopes, but when he re-
turned in the manner in which he did
| many people there were discouraged
and downcast. which leads TO the be-
| lief that the gravity of the situation fs
| recognized
| The Boyaca. with General AIban on
board, started again yesterday morn
ing from Panama, her destination. pre-
sumably being Perequete.
Nothing has been heard OF the land
force which left Panama on Sunday
last. but il is reasonable to conclude.
that it is now harassing the move
ments of the liberal forces.
The British second class cruiser Am
phion left Panama November 18th, Ieav
ing the United States battleship Iowa
the only warship at that port.
The Colombian gunboat General Pin
zon, which escaped from Colon wher,
this town was captured by the liberals.
November 18th, arrived safely at Car
tagena and there spread the news OF
| the capture OF the city. The French
cruiser SCchet was there on her way
to Martinique, and she hurried back to
Colon, arriving here this morning.
The United States gunboat Marietta
has arrived here from Key West. The
situation along the railroad line Is un-
changed. There is no interruption of
isthmian transit
| Washington. November 23.-Ths navy
department has received the following
cabiegram from Captain Perry. COM
manding the battleshIp Iowa:
Panama. November a..
Secretary Of the Navy. Washington.
Situation quiet and satisfactory to
US. All trains running.
PERRY"
Just before the navy department
closed today cablegram was received
announcing the arrival Of the gunboar
Marietta at Colon. where she has join
ed the gunboat Machias. The Marietta
was sent down to relieve the Machias.
but both vessels VIII. under present cir
cumstances. remain at Colon. probably
for some time. The Marietta is COM
Il Ixl
ano and carries marine guard OF a