The Washington times., 1901-11-09


of Panama. They say. however. the rev
olutionists we're very strong in the neigh
borhood. ana only three miles from the
town. and that the Government was ap-
prehensivc of an attack, and had pre-
pared for flight in case of defeat
Their reason for not believing that PAN
anna had been captured was that the rcv-
olutiouists forces were not strong enough
TO attack the town. yet. and were di-
vided among themselves. The foreign
men-of-war lying at Panama, of which
two are American, have warned both fac
tions against any fighting in the town
as dangerous to the foreign residents
there, and this will prevent a severe bat
tie. If there is to be battle. it must be
fought outside OF the town limits.
The reyolutionists have occupied high
hills back of the cometery at Panama,
and il they had cannon, would command
the town, but they are without cannon
in that section and can do no lombard
ing. Their movements are also handicap
ped by the division that has broken out
in their own ranks One party wants
Gen. Domingo Dias, a Panama man, rec
ognized as chief of the revolutionary
forces, while the new and larger party
favor DR.. Paras. a lawyer from the in
terror, for the position.
The revolutionists are 1900 strong in
that department, most of them being at
Chame. and IL they can settle their differ
ences they will be in a position TO march
on Panama The Government forces seen.
to be very weak. The rebels are concen-
trating at Chorera. small place fifteen
miles from Panama An attempt was
made to check the movement by capturing
Aqua Delce but proved futile. The rev.
olutionists forces are reported steadily
increasing in numbers.
The Government has several vessels
operating along the coast, among Others
the Pipzen, which is the new name given
TO James Gordon Benefits yacht, the CO.
lumbia. The Pinzon has been supplying
rifles to the Government forces at Bocas
and to other points on the coast, and is
now engaged in bringing re-enforcements
of troops from CartaEena and Barran-
quiiIa TO Colon and Penams.
The news has reached Bocas of the de-
feat of the Government forces at Tumaco.
near the Ecuadorcan frontier. The rcvolu-
tionists are reported To have captured $40
prisoners, 1,6e0 modern rifles, 21), 105 rounds
of ammunition, six cannon, one Gatling
gun, and one gun boat, the General Alban.
Reports received at the Navy Depart
ment from its representatives at the 18th
mus Of Panama show that everything was
quiet on both sides OF the isthmus ten
days ago. These reports are from Capt
Thomas Perry. commanding the battle
ship Iowa at Panama, on the west coas..
and Lieutenant Commander Henry Nc.
Crea. -y,.----anding the gunboat Machias
at Colon. on the east coast.
Captain Perry says the activities of the
M nd inS emf
reported have subsidized and there were no
insurgent troops in the vicinity OF Pan
anna City. Tumaco. near the Ecuadorean
border, he says, mas fallen into the hands
of the insurgents.
Lieutenant Commander McCrea's re-
port tells of similar quiet conditions on
the east side of the isthmus. The CO.
lombian gunboat Piuzon made a round
trip to Bocas del Toro ana she reported
all quiet to the west.
With Lieutenant Commander McCrea's
report is letter to him from II. G. Pres
colt, assistant superintendent Of the Pan
anna Railway Company. complaining of
the doubling of commercial contributions
by steamship lines TO the Panama Gov
ernment Mr. McCrea does not mince
words in dealing with this action of the
authorities.
Captain Perry's report IS as follows:
United States Snip Iowa.
Panama, Colombia.
October =, 1891.
Sir: I have the honor TO report that
all is quiet and peaceful in and about
Panama.
The activities reported in my letter
Of last week on the part OF the in
surgents and Government forces quick
~ subsided, ana nothing whatever
came Of it There are no insursent
fssH EaaN Hrlf "A Of
City The report that they had left
ChOrera is not believed now IN
word, the condition OF affairs in Pan
anna is normal Iulaaco, near the
Ecuadoroan border, has fallen into
the hands of the in urgents.
During the week the chilean cruiser
Ninlstro ZSnteno arrived IN Panama
Road with an envoy extraordinary on
board accredited TO Ecuador and the
Central American Republics. They re
nained two days, and then sailed for
The French cruiser Protet remains
the only man-of-war in the haTbor
besides the Iowa. The British gunGoat
Icarus is at Taboga.
Very respectfully
Captain, United States Navy, Com
manding United States Ship Iowa.
and Senior 0ficer Present.
The Secretary of the Navy, Navy
: Department, Washington, ID. C.
Lieutenant Commander Mccrea says:
United States Ship Machias.
; Colon, Colombia,
October -, 1901.
Sir: have to report the usual quiet
conditions prevailing in Colon and
along the north coast of the isthmus.
The Colombian gunboat Pinzon made
a round trip to Bocas del ToI> during
the week, touching at intermediate
ports, and she reports all quiet TO the
west.
/ enclose papers showing to what
miserable straits the local authorities
have been reduced to raise funds, and
am not surprised that the steamship
companies have agreed to protest. II
this path is once opened to collect the
sineWs Of war, and no protests are
made, there is no limit 10 the annoy
ance which viii follow. and traffic over
the railroad would be seriously inter
fered Yrith. This resolution doubles the
harbor dues. which are Jumped TO,
gether and called the commercial
. contributions" If mcekly acquicsced in,
steamship lines might be diverted from
running here, which would, OF course,
injure the traffic on the railroad.
The Department has been informed
as to III. various ways by which the
local suthorities have raised funds,
such as hypothccating all the dues
from the Panama Railroad Company
for six months to come, adding ~ per
| cent and then doubling the customs
dues On all articles. and by levying
war taxes or assessments upon all
solvent Colombians. These measures,
If taken by the Republic OF Colombia
and enforced throughout would per-
haps be 1ustifiable as war measures.
But when associated with the dis
content almost amounting 10 revolt
amongst the soldiers because ot no
pay il looks as though the funds be-
ing raised are for some other purpose
than suppressing the revolution;
HENRY McCREA.
Lieutenant Commander. United States
Nary. Commanding.