The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-26
Bomba rdment of Colon Postponed
After n Conference of COnsuls
and Naval Commanders.
LIBERAL FORCES DEFEATED
GENERAL ALLAN VICTORIOUS IN a
FIGHT AT EMPERADOR STATION.
Now Marching on Colon to Cooperate
with the GunbOat PinzOn and
Drive Out the Rebels.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25.-The United
States government has taken charge Of
at the Navy Department to-day from Cap
tain Perry, of the battleship Iowa, at Pan
anna, reported to that effect Captain
Perry said that General Aloan with six
hundred men had defeated the Liberals on
the line near Emperador. Captain Perry
landed with a detachment of men from
transit and also establish detachments of
men to keep it open. Commander McCrea.
of the Machias. at Colon. cabled the Navy
Department. notifying the department of
the threatened bombardment of the town
and asking for instructions He was in
structed TO take such steps as he deemed
interests at Colon.
The State Department received confrma-
ton of the reported defeat OF the Liberal
troops by the Colombian government
troops This came in a cablegram from
Consul General Gudger, at Panama this
afternoon. in which he said the railroad is
unobstructed and that the government
forces have been victorious over the rev.
oIutionists- He further reported that the
bluejacks from the Machias have gone in
land and now occupy a point midway of
the isthmus.
II Is pretty we'll understood here that
there is to be no bombardment of Colon by
either side. While Commander McCrea was
given discretionary power and nothing was
said to him about stopping the lombard
ment directly nevertheless the State De-
partment established precedent in these
matters last year when il instructed Mr.
Gudger to warn some insurgents at Pan
anna that they would not be allowed to
lombard that port. If the government
troops on the Pinzon should persist in
their purpose II is said that the command
of the various warships at Colon will
require that ample time be allowed
the withdrawal from the town of all
foreigners. and the attacking force
10 escape restraint. would be obliged
TO direct their bombardment with
such rare precision as TO destroy the in
surgent defenses without harming the rail-
road property. and even without endanger-
ing the passage Of trains, conditions prob
ably not to be met.
The secretary of the navy to-day cabled
Captain Perry. OF the Iowa. to assume full
command OF all the United States naval
forces on both sides Of the isthmus in order
TO insure harmonious operations.
Consul General Gudger's last dispatch,
which came after l o'clock, was about as
follows: "Our troops have arrived at
Matachin, one-half Of the way across the
isthmus. No obstruction. and Colombian
government seemed to be victorious over
the insurgents"
Mr.. Herran, charge d'affaires OF the Co
lombian legation. to-day received the fol-
lowing cablegram from Panama: Rebel
army completely defeated at CuIebra and
Emperador Governor marched last night
on Colon. Traffic interrupted yesterday,
but will be re-established to-day" Mr.
Herran earlier in the day received a dis
patch from the acting Governor of Pan
anna stating that the Governor. General
Alban. had started with considerable gov
ernment force to operate against Colon and
Linea. II is the expectation of the Colom-
bian authorities TO combine this land move
ment with that of the force on board the
buhboaN IlLIoi anu mus Dc dDlc 10 recap
ture the town cf Colon.
The action taken by the United States in
landing marines and protecting the line
across the isthmus is in conformity with
the wishes of the Colombian government.
and follows specific request made
recently by Mr. Herran. The Colombian
authorities are fully aware that if they
retake Colon it must be by their own ef-
nd Nit bop oT
from any American forces on the ground.
as this government is scrupulousIy hold
ing aloof from the political contest be-
tween the government and the Liberals
Later advices. while showing the situa
contain the information that free transit
by way of the railroad has been re-estab-
lshed. These advices came in a dispatch
received by Secretary Long from Captain
Perry. OF the Iowa, who had made trip
across the isthmus from Panama to Colon.
from which place he sent a telegram. an
extract OF which the secretary made pub
lie as follows Captain Perry reports that
free transit across the isthmus is restored
and that he returns 20 Panama this after
noon. The captain Will leave a guard on
each passenger train for the present The
purpose OF the guard presumably is 10 pre-
vent interruption to the free passage Of
trains by insurgents congregated along the
line OF the road.
Mr.. Herran. the charge OF the Colombian
legation. IS very well satisfied with the
tenor OF the advices which have come 10
hand today from acting Governor Arjons
OF Panama, who reported that the rebel
army. having been defeated at Cuiebra and
EmDPTa0Or. General AlEan