The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-11-21
Attack on Panama Is Expected,
While Fighting Near ChOrrera
Has Probably Occurred.
UNITED STATES MARINES LAND.
Quick March by Rebels Surprised
the Town-Liberal Leader
Killed in an Initial
Skirmish.

Colon. Colombia, Nov 90 Uia Galveston.
Tex9.-The Liberals male an unexpected
attack on Colon at s O'Clock last night.
found the Government unprepared and. after
fighting in certain streets for an hour and
half. gained possession of all the public
offices and the town.
The Prefect. Guardia- was made prisoner,
twelve men were killed and about thirty
wounded. The United States gunboat Ma
chias. now here took no part in the pro-
ceedinss.
On receipt of the news that General Al
ban. the military commander of the 18TH
mus, had started to attack the Liberals at
Chorrera. near Panama, 1G0 men under Gem
eral Patino we're sent TO attack Colon This
force embarked on board a train bound from
Panama TO Colon yesterday evening at Las
Cascades Station. previously cutting OFF TEL
egraphic communication across the isthmus
Rebel Leader Killed.
On arriving at the outskirts Of Colon
where the Government usually maintained
small guard, the Liberals left the train,
and in the initial skirmish. which began
soon afterwards, General Patino was killed
The command of the Liberals devolved on
Colonel FredeTico Barrera, and he continued
me march on Colon. arriving there a few
minutes after the train and surprising the
Wnoie town. The Government troops at
Colon were outnumbered by the Liberals
Flgnting Immediately began at the bar
racks, which was soon taken. There Senior
Jaen. Judge of the Criminal Court, was
killed and Senor Muskus, the District Rep
resentative of the Department of the Inte-
rior. was mortally wounded.
All Over in Three Hours.
Flghting subsequently occurred at the
Iown Han. which was also taken by the
Liberals. Among the prisoners captured by
the Liberals there were the Prefect, Guar
dia. and the Commandante of Police Senior
Parenes. the Mayor. managed to reach the
gunboat General Pinzon. which sailed last
night for destination unknown, probably
Carthagena.
The whole affair was over in less than
three hours.
Communication with Panama was re-
stored to-day. This revealed that no fight
ing had occurred there; that everything
was quiet, and that the city was still in the
hands OF the Government.
The issue now depends on the result of
the fighting which doubtless occurred to-
day at Chorrera, news of which is anxious
ly awaited here.
United states Marines Landed.
The Liberals are busy raising re-enforce-
ments locally. They are reported to have
several hundred men at different railroad
DetWStH mere anu
The United States gunboat Machias land
ed a detachment of marines here this morn
ing. They are now guarding the railroad
station and other property of the road.
At a conference between Commander Nc
Crea of the Maehias. United States Consul
Malmors. Colonel Smaller. superintendent OF
the Panama Railroad. and Colonel Barrera,
commander of the Liberals. the latter was
Informed why the marines had been landed
from the Machias. Barrera promised TO
guard the city with his troops. Trains Will
be crossing the isthmus as usual tomorrow.
There has been no obstruction to free
transit so far.
Panama Preparing for Attack.
According to the latest news received here
from Panama. nothing has yet been heard
in that city concerning the outcome of Gen.
eral Alban's expedition against the Liberal
forces at Chorrera. 1t Is said that informa-
ton of the recent happenings at Colon has
been sent to him.
In the meantime the Government troops
at Panama. numbering about 800 men. are
busily engaged in the construction OF earth
works and barricades at the railroad bridge
going into the city, in anticipation OF an
early Liberal attack.