Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-01-21
A NAVAL BATTLE
Fought, During Monday, in the
Harbor of Panama.
Three lnsurgent and Two Government
Vessels Knocked Out.
The Fleets Ara Small but They Do Coed isb
Of Fighting.

! Colon. Colombia. Jan. 20.--(Via Gal.
weston. Texas).-A naval battle which
| began at o'clock this morning, is taxi
I ing place in the harbor Of Panama. The
| revolutionary fleet consists of the
| steamers Padilla, Darien and Galtan.
| They are trying to force a landing Oft
Sahan. The government ships are the
! Chilean Line steamer Iantaro (seized
| by Gen. Alban). the Pacific Steam
Navigation Cos. steamer ChicuiIo
| chartered by Gen. Alban). and the
Panama Canal Cos. steamer Boyaca
(also chartered by the Colombian gov
ernmenD.
AS this dispatch is sent three shots
have just passed over the Chicuilo and
she answered with several shots. They
fell close to the Padilla, which is seen
to be retiring.
The guns at Las Bovedas are also
firing at the rebel ships. The govern
ment forces are throwing up entrench-
ments. The United States cruiser
Philadelphia is close to the scene OF the
fighting.
The Boyaca aid not take part in the
engagement, as she has not returned
from Chiriqui. The Lautaro recently
arrived at Panama from the island OF
Naos. >7sf 4l@
The last heard Of the Boyaca, by ca.
bic, was Jan. II. when II was reported
at Colon that she was being chased BY
the revolutionary ships in the, direction
OF Chiriqul. ss,A nj
Washington, Jan. 2o.---Ouly neaare
details of the fighting between the
vessels OF the; Colombian government
and those of the insurgents in Panama
bay were received. today. In offiotai
circles. They consisted of one dis.
patch from Consul Qneral GudgerVa 1T
Panama and one from Capt. Mead, the
commander Of the cruiser Philadelphia,
which is lying In Panama bay. The
dispatches were az follows: a'f,
Fighting In bay. Governor killed.
Excitement great
The secretary Of the navy, has re-
ceiyed the following cabi9gram from
Capt. Mead. commander Of the United
State ship Philadelphia, dated Panama.
today:
The insurgent steamer Padilia at
tackled the Lautaro, this morning, at
close quarters. Crew has deserted her.
is now on fire and sinking"
Up to 10 o'clock. no additional ad-
vices had come either to this govern
ment or to DR.. Silva. Colombia's repre-.
sentative at this capital. 1t Is believed
that fuller reports will be received by
tomorrow morning
AT the Colombian legation great re-
greet Is expressed by the officials over
the death of Gen. Alban, the governor
Of Panama. He proved a very success.
full officer and in the recent operations
incident to the capture and surrender
of Colon by the rebels he played con.
spicuous part. He was about so years
Of age and n man OF brilliant attain
ments. Formerly he was attorney
general Of Colombia.
But in order to permit the new
Panama Canal Co. to enter upon the
negotiations which have resulted in
he present offer. Colombia has waived
-hese prohibitions and has authorized
he company to treat directly with the
United States. with view OF the use
Ind occupation of the territory of the
ormer for canal purposes IL our gov
'rnment should select the Panama
quite for an isthmian canal.
The papers before the committee
how that the liquidator is acting IN
Ter judicial Authority
The report concludes as follows: AZ
er considering the changed conditions
hat now exist and all the facts ana
circumstances upon which its present
Judgment must be based, the commits
CONTINUED on page ~