The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-21
THE NEWS AT WASHINGTON.
Official Confirmation of the Capture of Colon.


 Washington. Nov 20.-The State De- partment received official confirmation of the capture of Colon by the Liberals. Transit was interrupted for brief pe- riod, but is now restored. Captain Ferry of the Iowa, the senior naval officer at Panama, has been instructed to land ma- rines if necessary, to maintain transit across the Isthmus.
 A dispatch has been received at the Na- wy Department from Commander McCree 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 fur- ther disturbance, but as a matter of pre- caution.
 The confirmation of the reported cap- ture of Colon by the Colombian Liberals caused decided commotion in the State and Navy Departments today.
 There were long conferences between Secretary Long and Admiral Crowinshield and between the Admirals and Acting Secretary of State Dr. Hill.
 Later the two last named went to the White House and saw President Roose- welt.
 This was the first time since 1885 when Admiral Jewett opened up transit across the Isthmus of Panama that traffic has been stopped in such fashion as to seem
  States naval forces.
 The first news of trouble at Colombia from the United States Consul came from Consul General Gudger at Panama He telegraphed the State Department that a considerable number of Liberals had talk en passage on the railroad Che did not indicate where) and arriving at a certain point had cut the telegraph wires and taken up rail and brokeNup communica- ton.
 Later there came a second message from. Consul General Gudger announcing that Colon had been taken.
 This was confirmed more explicitly by United States Consul Malmeros. stationed at Colon.
 The latter official said that Colon was taken by the rebels last night. While all business is suspended. transit is not in- terrupted and the American life and prop erty are safe and not likely to be in dam ger.
 The news of the situation on the Isth- nus came to the Colombian legation this afternoon in the following cablegram rom General Arjona. acting Governor of Panama, in the absence of General Alban, who is leading the Chorrera expedition: Panama, Nov. 20.-Colon is being at- lacked. Scarcity of troops here. Traffic nay be interrupted"
 While the above dispatch does not state that the city has fallen Mir. HerlanS the Colombian Charge d'Affaires at Washing ton, credits. of course. the news to this effect that has como through diplomatic and naval channels.
 When asked as to what results may De expected from the capture of the city Mr. Herran said: ''It will depend entirely upon the success or failure of the expe- ition under General Alban which Is head ed for Chorrera to engage the insurgents au ,essful the recapture of Colon should be a easy matter. But if, on the other hand the government expedition should be defeated, the results undoubt- adly would be disastrous, for the insur- gents would then have temporarily, at least. undisputed sway over the entire 
 Mir. Herran naturally was considerably at the news, especially because of the close proximity of Colon to Pana- ma, the leading city on the Isthmus, and second only in importance to Bogota.