Evening star., 1901-12-07
How He Kept Open Transit Of the
Isthmus
ARMED MEN PUT ON TIE TRAINS
American Flag Respected by the
Insurgents.
EXCITING TIMES DESCRIBED

The Navy Department has made public
the following extracts from the reports Of
Capt Perry of the Iowa, who mad charge OF
the United States forces on the isthmus
during the recent disturbance in that quar-
ter, dated November 25:
after the force was landed at Panama
Railroad Company's wharf yesterday after
noon learned that Gen. Alban had gone
out on the regular train at 2:45 pm. with
600 troops.
Later in the evening the train returned
to Panama, being unable to get through. be
cause just as soon as 1t stopped, near Rio
Grande Superior, the contending forces en-
gagged Immediately and the passengers
would have been endangered had it gone
on. The train due to arrive at pm. from
Colon stopped at Matachin for the night
for the same reason, so the interruption Of
the transit was complete. .'..s--
Il decided to send an armed force of $50
out by the am. train the next morning
(this Monday morning) to clear the line. So
all armored car was prepared during the
night and manned with part of company
the engine, flying the United States flag.
The remainder of the detachment was in
the cars, with orders to permit no armed
persons to enter and under the command
who is commanding the force on shore. I
accompanied the train.
The Railway Line Opened.
''By the time we reached Colon it was
completely understood from one end OF the
line to the other in the future and while
this disturbance continues the trains would
be guarded by United States forces and un-
der the United States flag. On the way
back to Colon the greatest respect was
shown and no Objectionable act was COM
mftted by either conservative or liberal SOL
diers. 81 p
81 have arranged to have United States
guard OF forty on every passenger train
hereafter, which will insure order and
safety, without stationing any detachments
anywhere except in Panama and Colon.
81 need no more force, either in ships or
marines, and am holding sufficient force in
reserve to meet any contingency likely to
arise. .. -
MY frequent cablegrams since the last
weekly report have made you familiar with
the essential features occurring during a
week Of excitement anu agitation on the
1sthmus, but In order to put you in pos
session OF more comprehensive view of
the situation, I will detail at length the in
cldentS as they have come to my under
standing.
Insurgents Capture Colon.
AS stated In my last report, Governor
Alban had left Panama by water with 800
troops on Sunday night, November II, for
Chorrera to attack the liberal force en-
camped there. supposed to be quite large.
leaving In Panama only about 200 soldiers.
with Senior Aristides Arizona, acting gov
ernor
There was an impression in Panama
that decisive battle was impending be-
tween these two forces, and both on Mon
day and Tuesday there was an air in the
streets of expectancy, anxiety and possible
approaching disaster, but no news. Moth
ing had been heard from Alban up to Tues
day night, when the regular train, arrived
soon after o'clock with the news that the
train which left Panama at 2:45 pm for
Colon was boarded near Matachin by about
$50 liberals, who paid their fares to Gatun,
and cut telegraph wires. preventing tele-
graphic communication between Panama
and Colon.
1T was afterwards learned that this de-
tachment Of liberals continued on the
north-bound train until just outside of Co.
ion, where they descended and keeping
close along by the cars in the darkness as
the train entered Colon, completely sur
prised the government guard and opened
fire. The town soon fell into their pos
session.
Notified the Acting Governor.
II had gone on shore at daylight the fol-
lowing morning "wednesday to inform my
self as to the situation. and learned at the
consulate general at O'clock that the cut
wires were not yet repaired and there was
no telegraphic communication with Colon
Went Immediately to the railway station
to find the news confirmed, also that the
liberals were preventing linemen from re-
pairing wires. 1 then sent my first cable
gram to the department.
"Afterward learned at consulate gen.
eral that one rail had been re-
moved during the night by In
erals. Then made Mt 1anf 70
consul general as early as the acting gov
ernor would receive us. to notify him of his
obligation to protect the transit, in accord
ance with treaty sfor--r
This reception took place soon after o
O'Clock, and while written letters were pre-
sented to the acting governor, stating the
case and requesting reply, the matter
was discussed at length, and an early an
swer requested. Made arrangements to
land forces. and send officer to Colon to
carry dispatch to commanding officer of
Machias, instructing him to be prepared to-
land force and take possession of Gatun.
but not to act until further orders fEf
"Omcers also had instructions to see lib
eral leader and notify him that interfer-
ence with transit must Immediately
cease. During afternoon received denart
ment's dispatch instructing me to notify
all persons concerned, including insurgent
leader, that interference must cease other.:
wise land force, etc.
Communication Restored.
"The telegraphic communication with
Colon was restored during Wednesday
afternoon. and all trains were running on
time and unmolested. Received a tele-
gram from Lieutenant Commander Nc
Crea reporting condition at Colon and stat-
ing that he had landed a detachment Of
Machias' men to protect the railroad COM
pany's property in Colon, which action i
approved.
Completed arrangements for landing force
any emergency likely to arise. with the
Marietta. due and the Concord to arrive
the 23d instant