The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-26
Commander McCrea Asks
For Instructions.
TOLD TO GUARD AMERICAN INTERESTS
It is Understood That McRea's In
structions Place in His Hands Dis
cretionary Power For the Prevention
of the Eombardment.
(By the Associated Press.) }


Colon, Colombia, Nov. 25.-Transit
across the Isthmus has been stopped.
Marines from the United States battleship
Iowa at Panama have been landed to pro-
tect the railroad and are now on the line
where the fighting is going on.
Washington, d c., Nov. 25.-The Uni
ted States Government has taken charge
of the Isthmian transit. A dispatch re-
ceived at the Navy Department today
from Captain Perry, of the Iowa, at Pan
ANA, reports that fact. Captain Perry
says that General Alban with 600 men is
fighting the Liberals on the line near
Empire. Transit is in danger OF inter-
ruption. Captain Perry has landed with
detachment of men from the Iowa and has
started with train to clear transit and
also establish detachments of men to
keep it so.
Commander McCrea, of the Machias, at
Colon, has cabled the Navy Department
notifying the department of the approach
ing bombardment of that town and asking
for instructions He has been instructed
to take such stops as he deems necessary
for the protection OF American interests
at Colon While no specific statement is
It is understood that it leaves discre-
tionary power with Commander McCrea
for the prevention of bombardment
The State Department has received con-
frmation CT the reported defeat of the
Liberal troops by the Colombian Govern
ment troops. This came in a cablegram
from Consul General Gudger, at Panama,
this afternoon, in which he says the rail-
road is now unobstructed and that the
Government forces have been victorious
over the revolutionists. He further re-
ports that the blue Jackets from the Ma
chias have gone inland and now occupy
a point midway of the Isthmus.
Mr. Heron, Charge d'Affaires of the
Colombian Legation, today received the
following cablegram:
Panama, Nov. %.
ITO Colombian Minister, Washington.
Rebel army completely defeated at
Culebra and Emperador. Governor
marched last night upon Colon. Traffic
Interrupted yesterday but will be re-es-
tahlished today.
"ARJONA (Acting Governor)"
1t is pretty we'll understood here that
there is to be no bombardment of Colon
by either SIDE While Commander Nc
Crea was given wide discretionary power
and nothing was said to him about stop
ping the bombardment directly, neverthe-
less the State Department established
precedent in these matters last year
when it instructed Mr.. Gudger to warn
some insurgents at Panama that they
would not be allowed to lombard that
port
If the Government troops on the Pinzon
should persist in their purpose it is said
that the commanders of the various war
ships at Colon would require that ample
time be allowed for the withdrawal from
the town of all foreigners and the at
tacking force, to escape restraint, would
be obliged to direct their bombardment
with such rare precision as to destroy
the insurgent defenses without harming
the railroad property, and even without
endangerng the passage of trains, condi-
tions probably not to be met. The Secre-
tary of the Navy today cabled Captain
Perry of the Iiwa to assume full COM
mand of all the United States naval
forces on both sides of the Isthmus in or
der to assure harmonious operations.
BOMBARDMENT.
Colon, Columbia, Nov 25-An armed
guard of marines from the United States
battleship Iowa has re-established the
transit across the Isthmus and details
fro mthe Iowa's marines are now pro-
tecting each passenger train.
There has been fierce lighting at En-
pire Station, on the railroad line between
Panama and Colon, being the insurgents
and the troops of the Colombian Gov
ernment, with very heavy losses on both
sides.
At conference held at O'Clock this
morning on the British Cruiser Tribune,
at which General Ignacio Fcliaco, Senior
Dc Ia Rosa. secretary Of General Diaz,
and the commanders of the foreign war
ships present, the General agreed at the
request of naval commanders and on the
ground Of humanity, having in view the
large foreign population Of Colon. not to
land troops here or open fire on the town
befre six O'Clock Friday evening The
Colombian gunboat. General Pinzon, is
badly off for provisions and the COM
mandcrs of all the warships agreed to