The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-09-11
Rebels Surprise Government Forces and Commit Hof-
 ribIg Atrocities,
BUSINESS SUSPENDED AND
 APPEAL MADE FOR HELP
Town Is Ransacked and Railroad Tracks Torn Up In Every Direc- tion-Reinforcemen Cannot
 Arrive In Time.

Kingston, Jamaica, September 1o.-The German steamer Valencia drom New York August B, for Cape Havtien and other ports) which arrived here today from Santa Marta, capital of the depart rnent of Magdalena, Colombia. bring news of a victory at Santa Marta by the Colombian revolutionists over the gov ernment forces. Captain Gronmeyer of the Valencia says that last Friday the revolutionists made a desperate attack on the outskirts of Santa Marta. The government troops were overwhelmed forced to retreat leaving behind them 100 dead. Immediately after the with drawal of the government forces the rebels started to destroy the railroad tracks. They derailed several trains at various points, demolishing engines and cars, the latter being chiefly fruit vans Several lives were also lost in these wrecks.
 Saturday the revolutonists occupied the banana district of senega, where they continued to wreck the railroad at the same time keeping up their advance toward Santa Marta. When the Valencia sailed from Santa Marta Monday the reyolutionists were so near the town that Captain Gronmeyer sould 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 the revolution ists. The town at that time was ex- pected momentarily to be surrendered. Owing to the total destruction of the railroad the Valencia did niot get her cargo of fruit at Santa Marta and be- cause of the seriousness of the situation the captain decided to put into Kingston.
 Horrible Atrocfties. ''7T' Officers of the Valencia say that horri- ble atrocities were committed during the fighting by the rebels, who chiefly used machetes. Almost all of the government troops killed were found along the rail- road track, their bodies being terribly mutilated They were partially covered by branches of banana trees.
 Santa Marta is entirely cut off from 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 capture It. The stores there are closed and the greatest terror prevails.
 The attack of the revolutionists was entirely unexpected, and, owing to their superior number the resistence of the government forces was half hearted, Officers of the Valencia do not think the Colombian government can get rein forcements Into Santa Marta in time to save the town
 Activity on Both Sides.
 Kingston. Jamaica, September 10.-The British steamer William Cliff reached here today from Colon. Colombia. Her officers reported considerable activity on both sides of the isthmus when the vessel left Colon Monday and that the revolu- tionists had already occupied Culbra on the railroad between Panama and Colon, and were advancing in strength
 Gen. Benjamin Herrera Is said to be in command of the revolutionary forces, which seem to be concentrating at point about midway between Panama and Co., lon. There are strong government forces at both ends of the railroad and rein forcements are coming in. Breastworks are being erected at Colon and Panama. Owing to the fact that the government does not know where to expect an attack it keeps It's soldiers moving along the forty miles of railroad. The revolution ists gained possession of Culebra with out opposition, and their possession at that point has not been disturbed The government Is maintaining an attitude of defense and desperate engagement is expected shortly. Business on the isth- mus is suspended and the people are very fearful, especially since the revoIu- tionary victory at Agua Dulce.
 One of the officers of the William Cliff said to a representative of the Associated Press that he had been informed from a reliable source at Colon that the Co., lomban government realized the situa- tion on the isthmus to be serious and that crisis was at hand.
 WIII Attack Panama.
 When the William Cliff left Colon the opinion on the isthmus was that the revo- lutionists would attack Panama before advancing on Colon because of the sup uort they would get from their gunboats the Pacific side of the isthmus in an attack on the first named city. The revo- lutionists have no gunboats on the At lantic side
 It is believed the revolutionists will push their operations as quickly as possi- ble because of the problem which con- fronts Gen. Herrera of provisioning the large government force which surrender ed to him at Agua Dulce, in addition fo the other government prisoners he holds. It Is believed that some of Gen. Herre- ra's prisoners will fight with his forces
 The government is said to be chafing at the delay in the arrival at Panama of the new gunboat Bogota recently pur- chased at Seattle Wash, by Senor Con nd. Lack of transportation facilities for the government Is said to be largely respon- sible for the present situation on the isthmus.
 Government Forces Successful.
 Colon, Colombia. September 1O-The government gunboat General Pinzon ar rived fhere this morning from Cartegena She h ought eighty mules.
 Govbrnment forces have defeated de- tachment of revolutionists at Penon on the Magdelna river. It Is now hoped that the endorsements destined for the isthmus will be enabled to reach here without undue loss of time.
 The government commissioners left here for Savanilla for the purpose of im- pressing upon the governor of the de- partment of Bolivar the immediate ne- the isthmus. |.