The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-21
LEADER WAS KILLED
General AIban, Commander of Govern.
ment Forces, Killed at Panama.
A FIERCE NAVAL BATTLE.
Three lnsurgent and Three Govern.
ment Ships Were Engaged.
TOOK PLACE IN PANAMA HARBOR
Opinions Differ as TO the Effect of the
Leaders Death.
TOOK PLACE IN PANAMA HARBOR
GENERAL COMMANDMENT NOT TO OCCUR
The United States Has Thus Assured
the Colombian Minister at
Washington,

N'lVnf Nuombla, january IA naVa
battle which began at o'clock this morn
Ing is in progress in the harbor Of Panama
| The revolutionary fleet consists OF the
steamers Padilla, Darien and GaItan. They
are trying 10 force a landing off Sacana.
The government ships are the Chilean
i.ne steamer Lautaro. the Pacific Steam
| Navigation company's steamer Chiquita and
the Panama Canal company's steamer Boy
AGA. The first named steamer was seized
! by General Aiban and the other two have
been chartered by the Colombian govern
ment.
As this dispatch is sent three shots have
Just passed over the ChlQuita and she has
answered with several shots They fell
close to the Padilla which Is seen to be
retiring. The guns at Las Bovidas are also
firing at the rebel ships. The government
forces are throwing up earthworks
The United States cruiser Philadelphia IS
close to the scene of the fighting,
The Lautaro is on fire.
The revolutionary gunboat Darien. as this
dispatch is written. is approaching the
United States cruiser Philadelphia in the
harbor. probably for the purpose OF con
ference.
The firing has ceased 1t is impossible
TO locate the revolutionary gunboats Pa.
dilla and Gaitan.
Toe crew Of the Philadelphia are assist.
ing TO put ont the fire on board the Lau-
taro.
II Is rumorcd here on shore that the fir.
ing Of the Lautaro is result Of treason.
Later-The Lautsro has Just funk IT is
reported here that her crew rebelled.
The revolutionary gunboat PadiHa sur
prised the Lautaro at the opening Of the
fight this morning and began shooting at
close range. Many men on board the l.au-
taro were killed.
a gasoline launch has Just left TO obtain
the details Of the fighting.
The slow movements Of the Padills when
are noticeable from the shore lead to the
belief that she has been damaged.
Panama. January 20. General Carlos Al.
ban. the military commander e. this dis
trict aud the governor Of Panama, was
killed during the 6ghtlng this morning. His
death is deeply dcplored for General Alban
was loved by his soldiers and enjoyed the
esteem OF the community.
1t is asserted that the death Of the Co
lomblan leader may have the effect Of
bringing to the governments aid large mum
bers Of men anxious TO avenge his loss.
Some Of the meu killed on board the
government ship Lautoro have been brought
ashore where they are being buried.
The government gunhoat Boyaca has Just
moored to the dock here She brings troops
from Chriqui. She reports that the revo-
lutIonary steamers padila. Darien and
Gaitan drew off who's they became aware
of her presence. The Darien is now re-
ported to be in sinking condition.
Warrington, January 20.-The state de.
partment has received the following cable
gram from Consul General Gudger dated
Panama today; Fighting in bay. Gov
ernor killed. Excitement great"
The secretary Of the navy has received
the following cablegram from Captain
Mead, commander of the United states
cruiser Philadelphia, dated Panama, today;
1.-THE insurgents steamer Padilla attacked
the Laurtaro yesterday az close quarters.
Crew has deserted her. Is now on fire and
sinking"
The Colombian legation officials here fear
that the death Of General Alban, leader OF
the government troops on the isthmus, will
have a very demoralizlng effect upon his
army, a great part OF which is made up OF
ignorant coast negroes who would be apt
TO be affected adversely by the loss of their
leader.
DR.. Silva, the Colombian minister here,
has been assured by the state department
that anything in the nature Of a lombard.
ment Of either of the isthnian towns. with
it's accompanying danger to American ia.
terests and interruption 10 transit, would
be prevented by the American naval repre-
senfatlon IN that quarter.
New York, January 20.-The Panama
Railroad company today received telegram
from Colon, saying that three insurgent
and two government vessels had been sunk
In the naval engagement in Panama harbor |
The cshlegram came from Colonel j. r. |
the Panama Railroad company.