The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-21
FIGHTING AT PANAMA
FIERCE NAVAL BATTLE THERE
YESTERDAY.
VICTORY WON BY INSURGENTS
GEN. ALBAN E.ILLED AND GOVERN
MENT VESSELS SUNK.

Revolutionary Fleet Took That OF
Colombia by SurPrise-Crew of the
Ex-Chilian Warship LautnrO Re
beI and set Fire 10 ship-Other
Sunk-Gen .AIbnn Man of High
Character and Much Beloved by
His Soldiers.
Colon Colombia, Jan. 20 (Via Gal
veston) "A naval battle, which began
at 6:OS o'clock this morning, is in pro-
gress i'm the harbor of Panama.
The Revolutionary fleet consists of
the steamers Padilla. Darien, and Cal
tan. They are trying to force a land
ing off Saocana.
The Government ships are the
Chilean Line steamer Lautaro; the
Pacific Steam Navigation Company's
steamer Chicuito. and the Panama
Canal Company's steamer Boyaca. The
first named steamer was seized by Gen.
Alban and the other two have been
chartered by the Colombian govern
ment.
As this dispatch Is sent three shots
have just passed over the Chicuito and
she has answered with several shots.
They fell close to the Padillo, witch is
seen to be retiring.
The guns at Las Bovedas are also
firing al the rebel ships.
The government forces are throwing
up entertainments.
The United States cruiser Philadel-
phia is close to the scene of the fight
ing
The Lautaro is on fire. The revolu-
tionary gunhoat Daren. as this dis
patch is written, Is approaching the
United States cruiser Philadelphia in
the harbor, probably for the purpose
| OF a conference. The firing has ceased.
| 1t is impossible to locate the revolu-
| tionary ,gunboats padilla and Gaitan.
The crew of the Philadelphia are as
sisting to put out the fire on board
| the Lautaro
1t is rumored here on shore that the
iiring of the Lautaro is a result of
| treason.
Later: The I.autaro has Just sunk.
1t Is reported here that her crew re-
belled.
! The revolutionary gunboat Padilla
surprised the l,autaro at the opening
of the fight this morning and began
shooting at close range. Many men on
board the Lautaro were killed.
A sasolene launch has just left he-
to obtain details of the fighting. The
| slow movements of the Padllla, which
! are noticeable from the shore, lead to
the belief that she has been damaged.
Government Reinforcements
The government gunboat Boyaca has
Just moored to the dock here She
brings troops from Chiriqui. She re-
Forts that the revolutionary steamers
Padilla, Darien and Gaitan drew off
when they became aware of her pres
ence.
The Darien is now reported to be in
a sinking condition.
Gen. Adams Death DepIored.
Panama, Jan. 20.-Gen. Carlos Alban.
the military commander of this dis
trict and the Governor of Panama.
was killed during the fighting this
morning. His death is deeply de-
plored for Gen. Alban was loved by
MS soldiers and enjoyed the esteem
OF the community.
Ii is asserted that the death NJ Tho
Colombian leader may have the effect
or bringing to the government side
large numbers of men anxious tn
avenge his loss
Some of the men killed on board the
government ship Lautaro have been
brought ashore where they are being
buried.
Reports Received In Washington.
Washington, Jan. 20.-The State De-
partment has received the following
cablegram from Consul General Gud-
ger, dated Panama to-day:
Fighting in bay. Governor killed.
Excitement great"
The Secretary of the Navy has re-
ceived the following cablegram from
Captain Mead, commander of the Uni
ted States ship Philadelphia, dated
Panama to-day:
THE insurgent steamer Padilla at
tackled the Lautaro this morning at
close quarters. Crew has deserted her.
Is now on fire and sinking"
Five Vessels Reported sunk.
New York. Jan. 20-The Panama.
Railway Company to-day received q,
cablegram from Colon saying that
three insurgent and two government
vessels had been sunk in the naval
engagement in Panama harbor. The
cablegram came from Col J. r. Shaler,
general superintendent at Colon for
the Panama Railway Company.
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