New-York tribune., 1901-11-26
NAVY KEEPS LINE OPEN.
uF4VT FIGHTING ON THE
ISTHNUS OF PANAMA.
,rTaILS FROM THE IOWA GUARD
TRANSACTION SAFE TILL FRIDAY.

L
-,,on Nov. 25.-An armed guard of marines
.-am the United States battleship Iowa has re-
..,sblished the transit across the isthmus and
,s-als from the Iowa's marines are now pro-
acting each passenger train.
There has been fierce fighting at Empire Sta
.,o, on the railroad line between Panama and
co,on. between the insurgents and the troops of
.be Colombian Government with very heavy
,,sses on both sides.
Yesterday morning at ia O'Clock the schooner
,1auet and railroad barge returned TO Pan
oma bringing $50 men from Chorrera. being
,se remainder Of General Alhan's expedition.
Great crowds gathered at the wharf to wit
,s.s the landing of the soldiers. They were
-.oeived with bands OF music. but the music
,sunded mournful and more like funeral
march than the joyful strains of welcome to a
ricrorious army. General Alhan looked MS
usual and calm self, and acted more like a
man on whose hands time hangs heavily for
rsnt Of some thing to DO than one coping with
rare responsibilities under trying circura
stances.
A. $50 yesterday afternoon. at the head Of
ssgen hundred men. General Alban left Panama
trtain for Empire Station. where the Liberals
vge reported TO be in fairy strong numbers,
His purpose was TO surprise and rout them
The train bearing these troops was held up just
besore il arrived at Culebra Station owing to the
liberals opening fire Alban's advanced
guard Alban disembarked his men from the
rain which returned to Panama The fighting
at Culebra lasted from 40 until p The
Rev NJ Leveridge and the Rev. Mr.. Jacobs.
Baptist and Wesleyan ministers, respectively.
narrowly escaped being snot- Their house in
Culebra was riddled with bullets.
The government troops continued 10 advance,
and the fighting was stubborn all along the rail-
road line and continued until Empire Station. a
nile and q half distant. was reached. The
Liberals continued slowly TO retreat Adams
men following them until the latter eventually
reached Matachin Station Here he met and
conferred with Captain Perry Of the Iowa, who
was returning from Colon armored train.
It Is understood that Captain Perry will not al
low the railroad to transport troops. conse-
nuently General Alban and his men were forced
70 push ahead on foot Il is said here that they
thus reached San Pablo. where the Liberals are
IN force. and that fighting is taking place there.
The liberals are under the command Of General
Lugo.
Between the stations OF Culebra and Empire
over enc hundred and fifty killed and wounded
men could be seen along the track. The sight
vas grewsome- There is no proper Red Cross
organization and the wounded lack care.
The Liberals at Colon declare the majority
Of the men killed OF the line TO be Conservative
troops and that the rebels still in force
along the railroad
Three hundred of the Iowa's marines were
landed at 40 o'clock yesterday afternoon ct
Panama. TO protect the property Of the railroad
and 10 insure the continuance Of transit across
the isthmus.
In government circles IN Panama there is still
entire confidence in General Alban. and it $
believed there that this Conservative general is
able to cope with the present situation and sue
cessfully 20 overcome the apparently insur-
meuntable difficulties before him
It is estimated the Conservative government
has four hundred men in Panama.
Tn breastworks on the railroad bridge that
fslts iatc Panama, well as those erected in
ssie the CITY. have been demolished by the gov
ernnent
THE SITUATION IN COLON
TIE government gunhoat General Pinzon left
her anchorage close to the other warshps. last
night
There was much commotion in the streets
esrly to-day. People sought refuge on board
he United States gunboats Marietta and Ma
ehas along the railroad and on the piers The
tonnaotion in the streets later ended and calm
1ar reigns. There is no jubilation. which Is
sHience that the Liberal army is not advancing
oTard Panama It is reported to have been
aefeated al Natachin by General Adams COM
nand- The latter is said to be pushing on
Colon
At a conference held AT i o'clock this morning
On board the British cruiser Tribune, at which
heneral Ignacio Foliaco. Sehor de la Rosa sec
Fetary Of General Diaz. and the commanders Of
ne foreign warships were present the General
agreed at the request OF the naval commanders,
and On the ground Of humanity having in view
he large foreign population Of Colon. not to
asnd troops here or open fire on the town before
~ O'clock Friday evening.
The Colombian gunboat General Pinzon is
BADLY OF fer provisions and the commanders Of
al the wsrships agreed supply her with the
Necessary stores The gunboat has not yet re-
turned to Colon and her whereabouts is un-
known
FOREIGN w.RcuJpS IN THE CARIBBEAN. y.
WASHINGTON FrTTIY INFORMED CONCERN