The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-01-22
naval FIGHT
At PANAMA.
lasurgeni Ships Surprised These
Of tho Government
lAUTAR0 HAD NO STEAM UP.
Was Soon sst On FIHs--Gsn. AIhia Killed
BY ths First Shst Fired GTIsysus
Less I; thi Republic.
lAUTAR0 HAD NO STEAM UP,

Colon, Colombia. Jan. 22,-At six
o'clock Monday the Chilean line steamer
Lautaro (seized by tho late Gen. Albsn)
which was srmored and was used as
man-of-war by the Colombian govern
ment was anchored IN the harbor OF
Panama near Tho Island OF Perico. The
Pacific Navigation coupauy's steamer
Chuito chartered 10y the late Gen. AlbanD
was anchored close 60 the Lautaro.
These two veesels We're unexpectedly
attacked st this hour by the revolution
airy steamer Padilla aud the tusbos pa-
rien. After some active firing by all four
vessels. Cen. Carlos Alban was killed.
Fire broke out ia the forward part of
the Lsutaro and the vessel sunk a about
o'clock. The Chiuito was superbly han
died during the engagement and was
very aggressive.
The death OF Gen. Alban is an irrepar-
able loss, ont only 90 the isthmus, but
TO the entire republic OF Colombia In
the field lie was an active and fearless
foe: In =. victory ne was nagnaninous al
most to "a fault.
This Is the tribut. paid The late Colom-
hian general by the press OF the isthmus.
He was man whose praises were sung
even by his enemies.
The surgeon and hospital corps OF the
United states cruiser Philadelphia,
which is AZ Panama, were busy rem
dering medical aid To the rnsn wounded
in the engagement. The Philadelphia is
the only man-of-var at the istlmus
The Colombian government is making
every possible preparation, both here and
at Panama, To repulse a land attack by
the insurgents, which is rnonlentarlly ex-
pected. There arc nearly 1000 government
troops a Panama under tile Command of
Gen Garcia Senior Arizona remains ClVil
governor OF this district pending the re-
ceipt OF instructions from Bosots.
The Colombian gunboat Gen. Pinzon
c0aled here and sailed for Sayanilia II
is expected she will return To Colon by
| the end OF this week with a large num-
! ber OF reinforcements for the government
Colon remains perfectly quiet Many
Liberals, including Domingo De La Rosa.
were arrested here yesterday.
Further details OF the naval fight I'm the
harbor OF Panama show that the govern
neut vessels were Surprised by the iiotil-
la OF ths insurgents. The rebel steamer
| Padilla tired eight shots at the Lautaro.
| one OF the government squadron, and set
| her afire. She soon afterward sank Ia
seven fathoms OF water. Gov. Aiban was
| killed by the nrst shot fired The Padilla
| retired after the fight and IL is upder'
| stood that she has gone somewhere along
| the coast
Panama, Colombia jan 22-The ex-
| change Of prisoners was responsible for
/ the disaster TO tho government. From the
| former the revolutionists heard OF the
I plans OF tine yoveruu1eTt-- he ta utaro
| had no steam when she was attacked by
/ the Padilla. This was due to her circula l.
| ing water pump being ont OF order.
| The Padilla. which had been paiutel
| -ehite recently. so as 20 deceive the gov
| ernment officers AZ 10 her identity. so-
| vanced until recognized 90 spot abou,
! 300 metres from the Lautaro. She then be-
gan firing al the Lsutaro. The position
| of the latter prevented her from usinE
| her two big guns mounted forward, but
! she returned the Fadilla's fire with he.
\ small after guns.