The age-herald., 1901-11-29
INFERENCE BY LEADERS IF THE
 COLOMBIAN WAR Liberals May Surrender Colon Today to the Forces of the Government MORE FIGHTING WEDNESDAY, Captain Perry's Action In Making the
 Railway Neutral and Keeping 1t Open for Traffic Is 
 Approved.
MORE FIGHTING WEDNESDAY,

Colon, Colombia, November 28.-At 1:2O D. m. Generals Alban and Jeffries have arrived here and were received at the railroad station by the guard of the Unit ed States gunboat Machias and the British second class cruiser Tribune. The government commanders have doubt less come here to arrange terms for dis continuing the struggle.
 The commander of war ships, Colonel shaler. the superintendent of the rail- road, Senor De La Rose. the secretary of General Domingo Diaz, the liberal comm mander; the British consul General Alban and General Jeffries are now in | conference.
 The conference was held on board the United States gunboat Marietta. The commanding officers of the Mariet- ta, of the British cruiser Tribune and of the French cruiser Suchet and Lieutenant Commander McCrea of the Machias and Captain Perry of the Iowa were present, as were also Generals Alban and Jeffries, representing the government of Coiom- bia. and Senor De La Rosa, secretary 10 General Domingo Reyes, who represented the liberal party of Colombia. No information of the result of this conference has been made public and none of the details of the understanding arrived at has leaked out It can be said upon the best authority, however. that ] the liberals will surrender Colon tomor- row to the government authorities.
 United States maf.nes gs uard E5soa.~ G night. Colon is quiet, but much anxiety prevails.
 More Fighting Wednesday.
 Colon. Colombia, November 2S.-The government forces, 300 strong under Gen eraI Alban. on reappearing at Buena Vista Wednesday afternoon. opened fire on the liberals, or rebel. forces under Colonel Barrera. The latter was not en- trenched. but having the choice of ground occupied the top of a small hill at Buena Vista. The fighting. which was of the most savage nature. lasted until 5:3O D. m. without stopping, when the government forces, owing to the great loss they had sustained. were compelled to give way and retreated toward Friiolos. Over a hundred we're killed or wounded, the bod ies lying along the railroad track.
 Along the railroad track a train on reaching Buena Vista was unable to I pass, owing to a pile of corpses blocking it's passage. About wenty wounded men were taken to Panama on the evening train. The liberal loss was insignificant. It is said to be less than a dozen men.
 Colonel Barrera is now twice a hero. Much regreat Is expressed at the fact that he was not detailed to prevent the Lpassage of Barbacoa bridge.
 | Ia Tiharala at juhilant, owing to the fact that General Albans forward march has been stopped, coupled with reasonable hopes that Gen. Domingo Diaz, with the endorsements of Liberals from Chorrera, will soon arrive on the scene of action and attack Gen. eral Alban in the rear. This changed the aspect of affairs at Panama Reinforce ments of government troops in small bodies have been joining General Albau continually.
 This Is the anniversary of the indepen- dence of the isthmus and has always been : a holiday at both ends of the railroad ] line. bat nov all is deep sorrow and , gloom, forebocings occupy every mind. } for mary crimson spot between Colon } ard Parama marks the place where a Lrave man has fallen.
 The leeding merchants of Colon called } or the United States and British con suls Tuesday to ascertain what steps were | to Be Iake n LD ITOtcct the town from p0s- sitle violence. should the state of af- fairs became more critical. They were assured that marines from the warship would, in case of necessity, be landed t., protect life and property.
 Perry's Conduct Approved.
 Washington November 2S.-Naval of- fcers here are disconcerted at the ill., feeling existing toward Captain Perry | at Panama because he will not allow the | railway to be used for the transportation | of armed troops. After a careful exam | ination of the precedents and the treaty under which the United States now made absolutely responsible for the safety of | traffic across the isthmus. they declare | that Captain Perry had no alternates. | Had he allowed the Colombian govern ment forces to use the road on the Pan anna end, as they desired, he must of necessity have yielded the same right to the liberals who hold the Colon end of the line. The result would inevita- bly have been conflicts and the provision al line would prevent the free transit | that Captain Perry is there to maintain. Therefore his attitude is held by the navy department to be entirely correct.
 However. the fact is recognized that the situation is dangerous from inter national point of view, and it is hoped the pressure will be relieved speedily by the transfer of active military operations to some other field not near the Panama | rairoad.
 Perry Sends Dispatch.
 Washington November B.-Secretafy Long today received the following cable gram from Captain Perry, commanding the United States forces on the Isthmus:
 Panama, November 2S. Secretary of the Navy, Washington:
 '"rhe parties fought yesterday near Buena Vista. They stopped firing while passenger trains passed. A decisive en- gagement is expected today at about ths same place.
 esIsned.o "PnRRx.~