Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1901-12-05
WAR IN COLOMBIA.
Battles Between Government
Troops and Insurgents.
United States Warshfps Land Force
Of Marines Ia Protect the Railroad
( Across the Isthnus and the In-
terests of fAmerIcans-lOwa's
Captain Commands.

Iowa marines are now protecting
each passenger train.
There has been fierce fighting at
Empire station, on the railroad line
between Panama and Colon. between
the insurgents and the troops of the
Colombian govern-lent, with very
heavy losses on both sides.
The government troops advanced
and the fighting was stubborn all
along the railroad line until Empire
station, a mile and n half distant was
reached. The liberals retreated slow
ly, Adams men following them until
the latter eventually reached Mata-
chin station. Here Gen. Alban met
and conferred with Capt. Perry, of
the Iowa, who was returning from
Colon on an armored train. 1t is un-
derstood that Capt. Perry will not
allow the railroad to transport
troops. consequently Gen. Alban and
mis- men were forced to push ahead on
foot. 1t is said here that they thus
reached San Pablo, where the liberals
are in force, and that fighting is taxi
ing place there. The liberals are un-
der the command of Gen. Lugo.
The secretary of the navy has
cabled Capt. Perry, of the Iowa, to as
States naval forces on both sides of
the isthmus, in order to insure har-
monious operations.
Colon. Colombia, Nov. 27.-The over
due passenger train, with Il marine
guard on board. arrived here last
evening. The train brought news to
the effect that Gen. Alban with about
300 government troops had crossed
IN,
his march to Colon. The liberal
forces continue to retreat before him.
They explain their retreat by saying
they have no ammunition. All of the
fighting yesterday occurred at Bar
bacoa bridge.
Passengers by the delayed train as
sert that fully 100 conservatives were
killed and wounded during the fight
ing there and that the liberal losses
were insignificant. The liberals are
now approaching Gatum station
(about five miles from Colon), and it
is believed a decisive engagement will
probably be fought at Monkey Hill
cemetery, distant one mile from the
limits of Colon.
The trains which left here Tues
day afternoon for Panama with the
from the steamer Orizaba were de-
layed in transit, but reached Panama
safely.
Colon, Colombia, Nov. 2S.-The fol-
lowing dispatch has been received
from Panama:
"The Colombian gunboat Boyaca
was dispatched Tuesday, having on
board about so soldiers, for Chamo or
i,;+ a
party of liberals, under Gen. Porras,
had received quite recently a fresh
supply of arms and ammunition.
San Paolo and Barbacoa are
known here to be liberal strongholds
and places very easy to defend, while
to cross tt bridge spanning the Cha
gres river, now swollen, was next to
impossible for an attacking force. The
feat was accomplished, however but
the reason the liberals abandoned
Barbacoa is not made clear. The
death rate on the government side
was very great, many bodies falling
in the river. An attempt was also
made to make a detour on the river
in boats, but the Chagres was swol-
len. the boats were capsized and many
men were drowned.
ernment force, 300 strong, under Gen.
Alban, on reappearing at Buena Vista
Wednesday afternoon, opened fire on
the liberal forces under Col. Barrera.
The latter were not entrenched, but
occupied the top of a small hill at
Buena VISTA The fighting, which was
OF the most savage nature, lasted
until $50 p. IN. without stopping,
no pn
to the great loss tney had sustained,
were compelled to give way and re-
treated toward Frijoles. Over 100
men were killed or wounded, the
bodies lying all along the railroad
track A train on reaching Buena
Vista was unable to pass, owing to a
pile of corpses blocking it's passage.
About 90 wounded raen were taken to
Panama on the evening train.
The liberal loss was less than a
dozen men.
A conference between the liberal
and conservative representatives and
the officers commanding the foreign
warships was held here Thursday on
BOARD the United States gunboat
Marietta.
The commanding officers of the Ma
rietta, of the British cruiser Tribune
and of the French cruiser Suchet and
Lieut.. Commander McCrea, of the
Machias and Capt. Perry, of the
Iowa, were present as were Gems
Alban and Jetfries, representing the
government of Colombia, and Senor
De La Rosa, secretary to Gen. Diaz
who represented the liberal party OF
Colombia.
No information as TO he result OF
this conference has been made public
1t can be said on the best authority
however, that the liberals will surren.
der Colon to the government authors
ties to-day.
Five Men Drowned.
Philadelphia, Nov. 26.-Five mer