Omaha daily bee., 1902-08-25
HERRERA HAS LARGE TASK
His Neagsr InSurgsnt Forces Must Guard
Many 0aptivsS.
GENERAL PINzON IS BROKEN DOWN
war Vessel Purchased by Colombian
Government I'm United states be-
comes UnseRworthy at Very
Critical Time.

w1LLEMsTAD. Aug. a.. News has
reached here from Venezuela that in conse-
quence of the reoccupation OF the port OF
C~arupano, ~Bermudez, by a government force
the blockade at that place has been termi-
mated. i jaz
Topeka has left La Guayra for Hayti. The
departure Of Topeka from Venezuelan wat
ers is taken to prove that the United states
minister at Caracas, Mr.. Bowen. believes
that the final result Of the Matos revolution
airy movement will be delayed.
KINGSTON, Aug. 24.-Detalls Of the cap
ture OF the Colombian gun boat Boyaca by
the insurgents outside OF Panama have
reached here. Boyaca was captured August
l., by the insurgent gun boat Padilla, after
a short and unequal fight. 1t had on board
nearly 300 soldiers under command Of Gen.
erals Ferrero and Enao, who were to re-
~inforce. General Morales Berti at Aqua
Dulce. Boyaca also carried several colonels,
a supply Of ammunition and a considerable
sum of money.
An American gunner named Rose, who
was serving on board Boyaca declined to
sail on its last and fatal expedition.
Boyaca Now ut Panama:
Flying the insurgent flag, Boyaca Is now
guarding the entrance to Panama harbor,
presumably with the intention Of prevent
ing steamers or other vessels from bring
ing government reinforcement to Panama.
Nothing definite is known on the isthmus
Of the situation Of General Morales Berti at
Aqua Dulce, but many persons believe that
the general after withstanding a siege OF
several days, during which his forces were
subjected. chiefly at night, to a severe ar
artillery IRE from the insurgents, perceived
the hopelessness Of receiving reinforce
ments and supplies from Panama and was
forced to surrender the troops of his COM
mand to the insurgents.
The insurgent forces in the Aqua Dulce
district are said to number between 1000
and 5000. Associated with General Berti in
the defense Of Aqua Duloe was General
Castro, who gained notoriety at the previous
battle Of Aqua Dulce.
Herrera Has Colossal Task.
II the reported surrender Of the govern
ment forces at Aqua Dulce is true, the
insurgent general, Herrera, is confronted
by a big problem to provide food and shell
ter for and to control this large and hos
tile element. Owing to the fact that the
government line Of communication between
Panama and Aqua Dulce is broken but lit
tie news reaches Panama from the seat Of
war, although the c%ontending forces are
only two days march from that place.
Rumors are current that several detach-
ments of insurgents have been seen at
various stations on the railroad line be-
tween Colon and Panama, and attack at
either end Of the line is expected, in some
quarters, to occur at any time. Because
Of the presence Of the insurgents on the
railway. the government is anxious to OBJ.
tain reinforcements as soon as possible.
Fresh trouble IL said to be brewing in
the interior, and owing to the refusal of
the steamship companies to carry troops,
the bringing OF reinforcements is no easy
matter.
PinKOn Useless.
The governments vessel. General Pin
zon, arrived at Cartagena a week ago
from Colon. 1t is now said to be impos-
sible for General Pinzon to again go to
sea in its present condition. Important
parts Of its machinery have been com-
pletely ruined. Pinzon was formerly the
American yacht Namouna. 1t was bought
by the Colombian government and entered
its service last summer.
Government officials in the isthmus as
sert that the newly acquired government
cruiser Cartagena will shortly bring troops
to the isthmus. In other quarters 1t is
said Cartagena is not at savanilla. but
has gone to Santa Marta. whence it will
proceed to Trinidad, in connection with the
detention there of Libertador, which has
been in the service Of the Matoso revolution
against President Castro Of Venezuela.
The Colombian government recognizes
the revolutionary situation to be serious.
Many persons question the ability Of the
insurgents to hold Colon If they attack
and capture that port, owing to the fact
that they possess nc gunboats on the At
lantic side. The government is endeavor-
ing to purchase another war vessel in
the United States for use on the Pacific
coast. There is at present no foreign man
of-war at Colon.