Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-09-13

NlnBStOu, JN., Sept" li.-CuptuIh
GrOnmeyer Of the steamer Valencia,
which arrived here yesterday from
Santa Marta, capital of the department
of Magdalena, Colombia, says that last
Friday the reyolutionists made n des-
perate attack on the outskirts of Santa
Marta. The government troops were
overwhelmed and forced to retreat,
leaving behind them 100 dead. Imme-
dlately after the withdrawal OF the
government forces the rebels started
to destroy the railroad tracks. They
derailed several trains at various
points. demollshing engines and cars,
the latter being chiefly fruit vans.
Several lives were also lost In these
wrecks.
Saturday the revOlutiOnists occupied
the banana district Of Senega, where
they continued to wreck the railroad
and Mt the same time keeping up their
advance towards Santa Marta. When
the Valencia sailed from Santa Marta
Monday the revolutlonists were so
near the town that Captain Gronmeyer
could see the flashes Of their guns.
Several buildings In Santa Marta were
then blazing, having been ignited by
the few troops left there to oppose the
attack Of the revolutlonists. The town
at that time was expected mOmentarily
to surrender.
Officers Of the Valencia say that hOr-
rible atrocities were committed during
the fighting by the rebels. who chiefly
used machetes. Almost all Of the gov
ernment troops killed were found along
the railroad track, their bodies being
terribly mutilated. They were partially
covered by branches of banana trees.
Santa Marta Is entirely cut off fro n
communication with outside points and
the residents Of the port have sent an
appeal by sea to Colon for protection.
It Is feared that the revolutionists will
sack Santa Marta when they capt ne
1t. The stores there are closed and the
greatest terror prevails.
The attack of the revOlutionlsts was
entirely unexpected, and owing to the
superior numbers of the revOlutiOnists
the resistance Of the government forces
was half-hearted. Officers Of the Va
Iencia do not think the Colombian gov
ernment can get reinforcements into
Santa Marta in time to save the town.
Steamer William Cliff reached here
yesterday from Colon. Her officers
report considerable activity on both
sides of the isthmus when the vessel
left Colon Monday, and that the revo'
i,,%inojStc hoa o1rooHv " ooounini ru-
Zebra, on the railroad between Panama
and Colon, and were advancing in
strength.
General Herrera Is said to be In com
mand of the revolutionary forces,
which seem to be concentrating at
point about midway between Panama
and Colon. There are strong govern
ment forces at both ends Of the railroad
and reinfOrcements are coming in.
Breastworks are being erected ut Colon
and Panama. Owing to the fact that
the government does not know where
to expect an attack. 1t Keeps its SOL
diers moving along the 40 miles Of
railroad.
The revOlutiOnists gained possession
of Culebra without opposition and their
possession of that point has not heen
disturbed. The government Is main
tanning an attitude Of defense and a
desperate engagement Is expected
shortly. Business on the isthmus Is
suspended and the people are very
fearful, especially since the revolution
list victory at Aqua Dulce.
When the Cliff left Colon the prevail
ing opinion on the lsthmus was that the
revOlutiOnists would attack Panama
before advancing upon Colon, because
of the support they would get from their
gunboats on the Pacific side Of the
isthmus in an attack on the first na lined
city. The revOlutiOnlsts have 10 gun
boats on the Atlantic side.
1t Is believed the revOlutionlsts will
push their operations as quickly as pos
sible because Of the problem which
confronts General Herrera of pro-
visioning the large government force
which surrendered to him at Aqua
Dulce In addition to the other govern
ment prisoners he. holds. 1t is believed
that some Of Herrera's prisoners will
fight with his forces.
The government Is said to I've chatting
at the delay In the arrival at Panama Of
the new gunbOat BOgota. recently pnr-
chased at Seattle. Lack Of transporta-
uon facilities for the government is
said to be largely responsible for the
present situation on the isthmus.