The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-29
Government Troops Forced to Retreat
After Suffering a Loss of One Hum
dred Killed and Wounded.
TRAIN BLOCKED BY CORPSES
WHICH WE'RE STREWN THICK
ALONG THE RAILWAY TRACK.
Captain Perry's Action I'm Preventing
Use of Trains by Either Side
Approved at Washington.

COLON. Colombia Nov. 2s.-Generals AL
ban and Jeffries arrived here to-day and
were received at the railroad station by the
guards of the United States gunboat Ma
chias and the British second-class cruiser
Tribune. The government commanders
have doubtless come here to arrange terms
for disseminating the struggle. The COM
manders of the warships, Colonel Shaler,
the superintendent of the railroad, Senor
Delaros, the secretary of Gen. Domingo
Diaz the Liberal commander, the British
consul, General Alban and General Jeffries
held a conference this afternoon on board
the United States gunboat Marietta in the
harbor. The commanding officers of the
Marietta, of the British cruiser Tribune and
of the French cruiser Suchet and Lieut..
Commander McCrea, of the Machias, and
Captain Perry, of the Iowa, were present.
No information of the result of the confer
ence has been made public and none Of the
details of the understanding arrived at
has leaked out. 1T can be said on the best
authority, however, that the Liberals will
surrender Colon tomorrow to the govern
ment authorities. United States marines
guard Colon tonight Many unreliable
statements concerning the terms of sur
render are current on shore, but the only
men informed in this regard refuse to an
swer questions. Colon is quiet, but much
anxiety prevails.
The railroad telegraph line, which was
cut yesterday evening, has been restored.
1t is reported that the government troops
are driving the Liberals toward Colon. The
marines of the United States gunboat Ma
chias are out in front of the railroad sta
tion. Great excitement prevails here.
The Colombian gunboat General Pinzon
has anchored the other side of Colon
harbor She is reported to be landing troops
at Kenney's bluff.
The government force on reappearing at
Buena Vista on Wednesday afternoon
opened fire on the Liberal forces under Col
Barrera. The latter were not intrenched
but, having the choice of ground. occupied
the top of small hill at Buena Vista. The
fighting, which was Of the most savage
nature lasted until $50 p. m. without stop
ping, when the government forces, owing
to the great loss they had sustained, were
compelled to give way and retreated toward
FrijOlos. Over a hundred men were killed
or wounded, the bodies lying all along the
railroad track. A train on reaching Buena
Vista was unable to pass owing to a pile
of corpses blocking its passage. About
twenty wounded men were taken to Pana-
ma on the evening train. The Liberal loss
was insignificant. 1t is said to be less than
a dozen men. Colonel Barrera is now
titled a hero. Much regret is expressed for
the fact that he was not detailed to prevent
the passage of Barbacoa bridge.
This is the anniversary Of the inde-
pendence of the isthmus. and has always
been a holiday at both ends of the railroad
line, but now all is deep sorrow and gloomy
forebodings occupy every mind. for many a
crimson spot between Colon and Panama
marks the place where brave man has
fallen.
The leading merchants Of Colon called
on the United States and British consuls
on Tuesday to ascertain what steps We're
to be taken TO protect the town from possi-
BILE violence should the state of affairs be-
come more critical. They were assured
that marines from the warships would in
case of necessity, be landed to protect life
and property.