Connecticut western news., 1902-01-23
A GREAT NAVAL BATTLE
Fought Within Sight of Citi-
 zens of Panama.
GENERAL CARLOS ALBAN KILLED,

Government Leader shot on the
 Quarter Deck of the Lautaro, Which
 Is Afterwnrd sunk-Surprised by
 Revolutionary Fleet.
 Panama. Colombia, Jan. 22.-Making their long expected attack on Panama from the sea the Colombian Liberals, or revolutlonists, precipitated within sight of the citizens a naval battle greater than Panama has seen in many years. They set on fire and sunk the Lautaro, a government ship, and one of their vessels, the Darien, was beach ed. There was a heavy loss in killed and wounded, especially on the govern ment side. Sailors from the United States cruiser Philadelphia rescued many of the wounded.
 More farreaching in effect even than the naval fight is expected to be the civil governor of Panama and the northern coast of Colombia and prac- tically dictator in his district. He was killed leading his men in person on the steamer Lautaro, which only a few days ago he seized from Chilean com pany. Standing on the quarter deck, encouraging his men after the ship was affre, he was struck by bullet from rebel gunbcat. He died quickly, and not long afterward his men were in full retreat from the burning ship. She was deserted by her crew within an hour after they lost the inspiration of Sc lno ,fx,
 Previous efforts of the insurgents to gain control of the isthmus of Panama had been made on land. Learning that the latest expedition, commanded by General Herrera, who was defeated here last year, would attack by sea, General Alban chartered two steamers and seized the Lautaro to repel the in- vasion.
 Beginning of the Battle.
 Slipping into Panama bay at 6 a. m., the revolutionary vessels, the Almi- rante Padilla, formerly a Salvadorean gunboat: the Darien and the Gaitan. practically surprised the Lautaro, the largest of the government ships. The Padilla, which has an excellent equip msnt of rapid fire guns, went close to the Lautaro and before that ship could make effective reply to the first fire killed or wounded scores of the Lau- taro's crew. The Darien and Gaitan started in the direction of long gov ernment sea wharf near the city.
 With the Boyaca, which had been chartered from the Panama Canal com pany, absent getting troops at Chiriqui oA fective was the Chicuito, which had been chartered from the Pacific Steam Navigation company.
 The Chicuito attempted to cut off the Darien and Gaitan, and the Padilla sent three shots from her heaviest guns at the Chicuito. This vessel replied with rapid fire guns, and the Padilla moved away little.
 Moving off, the Padilla got within range of the guns of Las Bovedas, a fortress, and several shots fell close to the ship. So far as could be seen there was no evidence that this vessel was struck except that she moved slowly after the exchange with the Chicuito. There was a great deal of maneuverins without any damage being done.
 The LautarO Deserted.
 Fire appeared on the Lautaro about 10 o'clock. or one hour before General Aiban was killed on her decks. The vessel was practically deserted after ward, and by 12 o'clock many of her dead were being buried in Panama. The fire grew in strength rapidly and within half an hour after the generals death drove the last faithful ones otf the ship. It was rumored here that tho Lautaro was fired as the result of treachery.
 Shooting ceased about the time the fire gained sway over the Lautaro, and the revolutionist ship Darien then steamed close to the United States ship Philadelphia. American sailors were by that time busy rowing to the Lau- taro and taking off the wounded and fugitives from the fire. The men from the United States ship endeavored to extinguish the fire on the Lautaro, but failed.
 The Darien, it seems asked for aid, l as she later went ashore. About , o'clock, despite all efforts to save her, l the Lautaro sank. There was great ex citement in the city meanwhile, the I troops being busy throwing up in | trenchments and the citizens crowding | all available points in the hope of get l ting good views of the battle