The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-11-20
COLON FALLS.
Rebel Forces Surprise and Cap
ture the Town.
1t Is Believed That Panama Also
is Being Attacked.
BLUE JACKETS LAND.
The United States Government
Orders Prompt Action
For Maintenance of Communities
tiOn Across the Isthmus.

Colon, Colombia, Nov. 20 (via Calves
ton).-The Liberals made an unexpected
attack on Colon at o'clock last night.
The government was not prepared, and
there was little resistance. After some
fighting in front of the court house and
IN certain streets for an hour and a half
the Liberals gained possession of all the
public offices and the town Of Colon.
The project, Guardia, is a prisoner.
Twelve men were killed and about 80
men were wounded.
The United States gunboat Machias,
now here, took no part in the proceed
ings.
There has been no telegraphic COM
munication with Panama since last
evening, and it is surmised here that
Panama is being attacked.
MARINES LANDED.
Washington. Nov. 20.-The state de-
partment has received official con-
nrmation of the capture of Colon by the
liberals. Transit was interrupted for
brief period but is now restored. Capt.
Perry of the Iowa, the senior naval Off
Ger at Panama, was instructed to land
marines if necessary to maintain tran
sit across the 1sthmus.
A dispatch has been received at the
navy department from Commander Nc
Crea saying that 100 blue jackets had
been landed from the Machias at Colon
and had taken charge of the railway
station. This was not done because of
any further disturbances, but as mat
TELEGRAPH INTERRUPTED
New York, Nov. 20.-The Western
Union Telegraph company's central ca
BILE Office here has been advised that
Colon and Panama is interrupted owing
to insurrectionary movements at Colon
As messages for Colon can go forward
via Key West, Fla, and messages from
Panama via Galveston. this Interrupt
ton has but a local effect.
At the office of the Colombian consul
n n hot
official advices as to the capture of
Colon by the liberals had been received
up to noon today.
Later the Central cable office of the
Western Union Telegraph company an
nounced that telegraphic communica-
ton between Colon and Panama had
been re-estab1ished.
TAKE NO CHANCES
Washington, Nov. 2O.-The confirma-
tion of the reported capture of Colon by
the Colombian liberals caused a decided
commotion in the state and navy de-
partments today. There We're long
conferences between Secretary Long
and Admiral Crowninshield and between
them and DR.. Hill. acting secretary of
state. Later the two last named went
over to the White House and saw Presi-
dent Roosevelt. This was the first time
since 1895 when Admiral Jouett opened
up transit across the iSthmuS of COM
munication that communication had
actually been stopped in such fashion
as to require the interference of the U.
S. naval forces.
The first news of the trouble at Colon
came from U. s. Consul General Gudger
at Panama.
Later there came a second message
from Mr.. Gudger announcing that Colon
had been taken. This was confirmed
more explicitly by United States Consul
Malmros, stationed at Colon. The latter
official said that Colon was taken by
the rebels last night. While all business
is suspended transit is not interrupted
and American life and property are
safe and not likely to be in danger.
Taken altogether these dispatches
were regarded by the officials here as
indicating a lack of purpose on the part
of Liberals to interfere with transit
across the 1sthmus- 1t was felt that the
brief Interruptions caused by the taking
up of the rails and the cutting of the
telegraphic wires was nothing more
than a temporary device to prevent the
government from hurrying reinforce
ments by rail to Colon. The officials
find support for this belief in the fact
that communication was reopened
across the isthmus the moment Colon
was captured. Still as a result of the
consultation today it was resolved to
take no chances of an infringement of
the treaty rights Of the United States.
Therefore DR.. Hill cabled Consul Cen
eral Gudger a direction to notify all
parties who are engaSed in molesting
or interfering with free transit across
the isthmus that such interference must
cease. He was also directed to consult
freely with Capt. Perry, the commander
of the u 5 battIeSnlp Iowa, now lying
at Panama.
Then Capt Perry was cabled by Sec
retary Long to land marines if neces-
sary for the protection of free transit
across the isthmus in accordance with
the treaty rights and obligations of the
United States. At the same time Capt.
Perry was enjoined to avoid bloodshed
if possible. Meanwhile news came that
Commander McCrea of the Machias
which is now lying at Colon, had antici-
pated this instruction from the navy
department by landing a force of blue
Jackets at Colon and occupying the rail-
way station. The understanding at the
navy department was that the landing
party consisted of 100 sailors who are
employed In lieu of marines of whom
the Machias has insignificant force.
The text of Commander McCrea's dis
patch is as follows:
United States Ship Machias, Colon
Nov. 20.-Secretary Navy, Washington:
The insurgents have possession of the
city AT the request of the proper au-
thorities, I have landed force for the
protection of the property of the rail-
road. (Signed) McCREA.
A cablegram received from Capt.
Perry at Panama confirms that Consul
General Gudger communicated to the
state department today. 1t does not ap-
pear that Capt. Perry has yet landed
force.
Quantrell Bill in Congress.
During the coming session of congress-