The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-11-22
CITY OF COLON CAPTURED
BY A FORCE OF INSURGENTS AFTER
THREE HOURS, FIGHT.
UNITED STATES MARINES LANDED
To Protect che Depot and Other Prop
erty or the Isthmian Railroad The
Troops Come by Rail From Panama.
The Attack a Surprise-Trains Not
Stopped and the City Quiet-Conster-
nation at WashIngton-In Instructions
CabIed Consular and Naval Omcers

CabIed Consular and Naval Omcers
Colon, Colombia via Galveston, Texas,
November 20.-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 Quartet and in certain streets for an
hour and a half, the liberals gained
possession of all the public offices and
the town of Colon. The prefect guar
dia is a prisoner. Over twelve men
were killed and about thirty wounded.
On receipt of the news that General
Alban, the military commander of the
isthmus, had started to attack the lib
erals at Chorerra, near Panama, the
latter detached $50 men, under General
Patino, to attack Colon. This force
embarked on board a train from Pan
anna to Colon yesterday evening at
Las Cascades station, previously cutting
off telegraphiC communication across
the isthmus. On arriving at the out
skirts of Colon, where the government
usually maintained a small guard, the
. liberals left the train and in the initial
skirmish, which began soon afterward,
Patino was killed.
The command of the liberals then de-
vOlved on Colonel FREDERICK Barrera,
and they continued their march on
Colon. arriving there a few minutes
after the train, thus surprising the
whole town. The government troops at
Colon were outnumbered by the lib
erals.
Fighting Immediately began at the
Quartet barracks which was soon taken.
There SenOr Jaen, a judge of the GRIM
inal court, was killed and Senior Mus
kUs. the district representative of the
department OF the interior, was NOR
tally wounded.
Fighting subsequently occurred at
the town hall which was also taken
by the liberals. Among the prisoners
captured by the liberals there were the
prefect, guardia and the cOmmandante
of police.
Senior Parades, the mayor, managed
to reach the gunboat General Pinzon.
which sailed last night for q destina-
ton unknown. probably Carthagena.
The whole affair was over in less than
three hours.
Communication with Panama was re-
stored today. This revealed that no
fighting had occurred there: that every
thing 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 ClOferrSl, news Oh WHICH
is anXiously awaited here.
The liberals are busy raising rein.
forCements locally. They are reported
to have several hundred men at differ
ent railroad stations between here and
Panama.
The United States gunboat Machias
landed n detachment of marines here
this morning. They are now guarding
the railroad station and other property
of the road.
At a conference between Commander
NcCrea, of the Machias. United States
consul Malmors. Colonel Shaler, super
intendent Of the Panama railroad, and
Colonel Barrera, the commander OF the
liberals the last was informed why the
marines had been landed from the Ma
chias. Barrera promised to guard the
city with the troops.
Trains will be crossing the isthmus
as usual tomorrow. There has been no
obstruction of free transit so far.
The news of the capture of Colon,
which reached Panama when commun-
ication with that city was restored TINS
morning was q great surprise to the
inhabitants Of that city.
Washington. November 20.-The con-
firmation of the reported capture OF
Colon by the Colombian liberals caused
a decided commotion in the state and
navy departments today. There We're
long conferences between Secretary
Long and Admiral Crowninshield and
between the admiral and acting sec
retary of state, DR.. Hill. Later the
two last named went over to the White
house and saw President Roosevelt.
The first news of the trouble at Colon
came from United States Consul Cen
eral Gudger, at Panama. He tele-
sraphed the state department that a
Considerable number of liberals had
taken passage on the railroad Che did
not indicate where) and arriving at a
certain point had cut the telegraph
wires and taken up a rail, thus break
ing communication
Later, there came Il second message
from Consul General Gudger announc-
ing that Colon had been taken
This was confirmed more EXPLICITLY by
United States Consul Malmaros, sta
toned at Colon. The latter official said
that Colon was taken by The reoels
last night. While all business Is sus-
pended, transit is not interrupted and
American life and property are sa1e
and not likely to be in danger.
As a result of the consultation today
Secretary Hill cabled Consul General
Gudger to notify all parties VINO are
engaged in moiesting or interfering
~ith free transit across the isthmus
that such interference must cease He
also was directed to consult freely WIN
CAPTAIN Perry, the commander OF the
United States battleship Iowa. now ~
ing at Panama. Then captain Ell
was cabled by Secretary Long 10 lano
marines il necessary for the prolectioL >,
of free transit across the isthmus III
accordance with the treaty rights ano
obligations Of the United States. Al
the same time Captain Perry was en-
Joined to avoid bloodshed if possible
Meanwhile, news came that Comman.
der McCrea, of the Macnlas, Wlicn !:
now living at Colon, had anticipated
this instruction from the navy depart
ment by landing a force of blue1ackets
at Colon and occupying the railway
station. The understanding al the nav
department was that the landlnS party