The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-24


Colon. Colombia, January Goa naval
battle. which began at 6 o'clock this
morning is in progress in the harbor of
Panama.
The revolutionary fleet consists of the
steamers Padilla. Darien and Gaitan.
They are trying to force a landing Off
Saoana.
The government ships are the Chilean
Line steamer Lautaro. the Pacific
Steam Navigation Company's steamer
Chicuito. and the Panama Canal Com
panv's steamer Boyaca. The first nam
ed steamer was seized by General ALL
and the other two hav been char
tered by the Colombian government.
AS this dispatch is sent three shots
have just passed over the Chicuito and
she has answered with several shots
They fell close to the Padilla, which is
seen to be retiring. The guns at las
Bovedas are also firing at the rebel
ships.
The government forces are throwing
I'D entertainments.
The United States cruiser Philadel-
phia is close to the scene Of the fighting.
Washington, January 20.-The state
department has received The following
cablegram from Consul General Gudger,
dated Panama, today: Fighting in bay.
Governor killed. Excitement great"
The secretary of the navy has re-
ceived the following ca~blegram from
Captain Mead. commander of the
United States cruiser Philadelphia,
dated Panama, today: THE inSurgent
steame Padilla attacked the Lautaro
UnStnr1o u OF n10cn T-1 ri Tho araTU
deserted her. She is now on fire and
sinking"
Panama, January 20.-Ceneral Carlos
Alban. the military commander of this
district and the governor of Panama,
was killed during the fighting this
morning. His death is deeply deplored,
for General Alban was loved by his SOL
diers and enjoyed the esteem of the
community.
It is asserted hat the death of the
Colombian leader may ave the effect
of bringing to the government side
large numbers Of men anxious to
avenge his loss.
Some of the men killed on board the
government ship Lautaro have been
brought ashore where hey are being
buried.
The Lautaro is on fire. The revolu-
tionary gunboat Darien, as this dis
patch is written, is approaching the
United States cruiser Philadelphia in
the harbor, probably for the purpose of
a conference. The firing has ceased. It
is impossible to locate the revolutionary
gunboats Padilla and Gaitan.
The crew of the Philadelphia are as
sisting to put out the fire on board the
Lautaro.
1t is rumored here on shore that the
firing of the Lautaro is a result of trea-
son.
Later-The Lautaro has just sunk. 1t
is reported here that her crew rebelled.
The revolutionary gunboat Padllla
surprised the Lautaro at the opening OF
the fight this morning and began shoot
ing at close range. Many men on board
the Lautaro were killed. A gasoline
launch has just left here to obtain de-
tails of the fighting.
The slow movements of the Padilla
which are noticeable from the shore,
lead to the belief that she has been
damaged.
New York, January 2O.-The Panama
Railway Company today received a ca
BILE from Colon saying that three in
surgent INT two government vessels
had beer sunk in the laval engagement
in Panama harbor. The cablegram
| came from Colonel J. r. Shaler, general
| superintendent at Colon for the Panama
railway.
nam January 20.-The govern
ment gunboat Boyaca has just moored
to the dock here. She brings troops
from Chiriqui. She reports that the
revolutionary steamers Padilla, Darien
and Gaiten drew off when they became
aware of her presence.
The Darien is now reported to be in
a sinking condition.