The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-09-11
. NGsToN. ia. Sept. 1o.-The Ger

IL iNGS lONs Jd-t sept ~ nc GNt
n man steamer Valencia arrived
here today from Santa Marta
capital of the department OF Magda-
lena, Colombia. and reports that des-
perate fighting occurred there from
Friday 10 Monday last. One hundred
government troops were killed the
railroad was completely demolished,
and terrible atrocities were committed
The Valencia had TO leave Santa Marta
without cargo.
The attack of the Colombian revolu-
tionists was started on the outskirts OF
Santa Marta on Friday last. the gov
eminent troops being overwhelmed
and forced 10 retreat. In their march
on 10 Santa Marta the reVoluuonlsts
wrecked the railroads. Several trains
were derailed, and several lives were
lost In the wrecks. When the Va
Iencia sailed on Monday the reVolu-
tionists were so near the town mat
CAPTAIN Gronmeyer could see the
flashes of the guns. Several buildings
in Santa Marta were then blazing
having been ignited by the few troops
left TO oppose the attack Of the reVc-
lutionists. The town at that time was
expected mOmentarily 10 surrender
Bodies Mutilated.
Officers of the Valencia say that ter
rible atrocities were committed by the
rebels, who chiefly used machetes. the
bodies OF many of the government
troops were terribly mutilated.
Santa Marta is entirely cut or from
communication with outside points
and the residents of the port have sent
an appeal to Colon for protection. II
will
Santa Marta when they capture IL
The stores there are closed, ana the
greatest terror prevails.
The attack OF the revolutionists was
entirely unexpected. and, owing 70
-1heir superior numbers. the resistance
OF the government forces was half
hearted. officers of the Valencia DO
not think the Colombian government
can get reinforcements into SANTA
Marta in time to save the town.
Owing to the total obstruction OF the
railroad, the Valencia did not gel hef
cargo of fruit at Santa Marta, and De
cause of the seriousness Of the situa-
ton the captain decided 10 put into
Kingston for instructions.
The British steamer William Cliffe,
which reached this port today from
! Colon, Colombia, reported considerable
| activity on both sides of the isthmus,
and announced that the rebels had al
ready occupied culebra, and were ad-
yaneing in strength
General Benjamin Herrera is said to
be in command of the revolutionary
! forces. which seem to be concentrating
AT a point about midway between
Panama and Colon. There are strong
! government forces at both ends OF the
&. e. saaa con
ing in. Breastworks are being erected
at Colon and Panama.
People Are Fearful.
The revolutiOnists gained possession
| of Culebra without opposition. and
| their possession of that point has not
| been disturbed The government Is
maintaining an attitude of defense, and
| a desperate engagement is expected
/ shortly Business on the isthmus Is
suspended. and the people are very
/ fearful. especially since the revolution
! list victory at Aqua Dulce.
One Of the officers Of the William
] CHhe said to a representative Of the
| Associated Press that he had been in
| formed from a reliable source at Colon
| that the Colombian government real
/ lied the situation on the isthmus 10 be
| serious ana tildt til9ta MAS a. manu-
When the William Cliffe left Colon
/ the prevailing opinion WAS that the
| revoutiOnists would attack Panama
/ before advancing upon Colon, because
of the support they would get from
/ their gunboats on the Pacific side OF
the isthmus in an attack on the FIRST
! named city. The revOlutiOnists have
! no gunboats on the Atlantic side.
1t is believed the revOlutionists vii
! push their operations as quickly a,
| possible, because of the problem which
| confronts General Herrera of prOvis-
| ioning the large government force
which surrendered to him at Aqua