New-York tribune., 1902-08-25
BLOCKS PANAMA HARBOR
REREL. wARSHIP BOYACA On GUARD
AT THE ENTRANCE.
GENERAL BERTI MAY HAVE SURRENDERED
AT AQUA DJLCE-INSURGENTS ON
THE RAILWAY LINE.

Kingston, Jamaica. Aug. 24.-DetaiIs of the
capture of the Colombian Government gunboat
Boyaca by the surgents outside of Panama
have reached here. The Boyacs captured
on August / by the insurgent gunboat Padiila
after short and unequal fight. She had on
board at the time nearly 300 soldiers under
the command of Generals Ferrero and Enao,
who were to reinforce General Morales BERT
a Aqua Dulce. The Boyaca also carried several
colonies, a supply of ammunition and consid-
cradle sum of money. An American gunner by
the name of Rose. who serving on board the
Boyaca declined to sail her on her last and
fatal expedition. Flying the insurgent flag the
Boyaca is now guarding the entrance TO Pan
anna harbor. presumably with the intention of
preventing steamers other vessels from
bringing government reinforcements to Panama
Nothing definite is known on the isthnus OF the
situation of the government General Morales
Berti at Aqua Dulce. bat many persons believe
that General Berti, after withstandlng siege of
several days during which his forces were sub
jected, chiefly during the night. to severe ar
tillery fire from the insurgents. perceived the
hopelessness of receiving reinforcements and
supplies from Panama and forced to sur
render the troops of his command to the nsur
gents.
The nsurgent forces in tho Aqua Duce district
are said to number between 1000 and 1000 men.
Associated with General Berti in the defence of
Aqua puice, were General Castro. who gained
notoriety at the previous battle at Aqua Dulce
and Generals Gomez and Moreno. If the report
ed surrender of the overnment froces at Aqua
Dulce is true, the insurgent General Ferrera is
confronted by big problem 10 provide food and
shelter for and 10 control this large and hostile
element. Owing to the fact that the govern
ment line OF communication between Panama
and Agua Dulce is broken. but little news
reaches Panama from the seat of war. although
the contending forces only two days march
from that city.
Rumors current on the isthmus that
eral detachments of insurgents have been seen
at the various stations along the railroad line
between Colon and Panama. and attack at
either end of the line is expected, in certain
quarters TO at any moment. Because of
the presence Of insurgents along the railroad.
the government is most anxious to obtain REIN
forcements on the isthmus soon possible.
Fresh trouble, however. is said 10 be brewing in
the interior OF the republic. and. owing TO the
frequent refusal of steamships to carry govern
ment troops the bringing OF renforcenents to
the isthmus is apparently easy matter.
The government gunboat General Pinzon
rived at Cartagena a week ago from Colon. after
having made the voyage with difficulty 1t is
now said 70 be Impossible for the General Pinzon
TO go TO again in her present condition I'M
portant and indispensable parts of her machin-
cry have been completely ruined. The Pinzon
formerly the American yacht Namouna-
She bought by the Colombian Government
and entered its service last summer. Govern
ment officials the sthmus assert that the
newly acquired government cruiser Cartagena
will shortly bring troops 10 the isthrnus. In
other quarters Il Is said the Cartagena is neither
at SavaniTla nor Cartagena. but that she has
gone 10 Sant0 Marta. from where she viii pro-
ceed for the British island OF Trinidad in con-
necton with the detention there OF the steamer
Libertador. which has been In the service OF the
Matos 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 II they attack and capture that port
owing To the fact that they possess no gunooats
on the Atlantic side OF the isthmus- The gov
crnnent Is endeavoring to purchase another war
vessel In the United States for use on the Pa
cfc Coast
There is at present no foreign man-of-war at
Colon
Colon, Aug 24-The British steamer Bernard
Hall OF Llverpoc' "jch was chartered '-- the
Colombian Government 80 transport '""nps
reached Colon this afternoon from SAVANNA
with six hundred government soldiers on board.