The age-herald., 1902-01-22
Exchange of Prisoners Respon- sib|e for Disaster to Colombia
THEY GAVE THE PLANS AWAY
Loss of General Aiban Is Irreparabie, But General Garcia Has Been Appointed In His PIaoe-Rev-
 olutionary Ships Damaged.

| Colon, January 21.-The exchange of prisoners was responsible for yesterdays disaster to the government. From the 1 former the revoutionists heard of the plans of the government. The Latauross circulating pump was out of order and 1 she had no steam up when she was att lacked by the Padilla- The Padilla, which was recently painted so as to deceive the government officers as to her identity advanced unrecognized to a spot about 300 metres from the Latauro. She then began firing at the Latauro. The position of the latter prevented her from using her two guns mounted forward. but she returned the Padilla's fire with her small aft guns. Her gunner, however. was the first man killed. The foreign crew of the Latauro refused to obey orders Gen. eral Alban. who displayed great courage. was shot on the steamers deck.
 General Garcia, vetern officer, has been appointed military commander of the district in succession to General AL ban. Senor Arjona is the civil governor.
 It is believed that the revolutionary warships were damaged.
 The capture of Panama by the revo- lutionists is considered impossible owing to the number of government troops here.
 The revolutionists are reported to be at Los Llanos, eight miles from Panama. Passengers who arrived here by the train leaving Colon this morning report hay ing met a number of revolutionists at Gordona station. A spy sent by the revo- ludonary General Porrera was captured here yesterday. Papers were found upon l him which compromise certain import 1 ant liberals.
 Loss of Aiban irreparable.
 Colon January 2l.--The Chilian line steamer Latauro (seized by the late Gen eral Alban, armored and used as a man. of-war by the Colombian government and the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamer Chicuito) chartered by the late General Alban. while anchored close to- | gether in the harbor of Panama, near the island of Perico. were unexpectedly | attacked at o'clock in the morning by the revolutionary steamers Padilla ana the tugboat Darien. After some active | firing by all four vessels, General Carlos Alban was killed. Fire broke out in the forward part of the Latauro, and this
 
 l ing. The Chlcuito was superbly handled | during yesterdays engagement and was l very aggressive
 The death of General Alban is an ir- repairable loss not only to the isthmus but to the entire republic of Colombia.
 The Colombian government is making every possible preparation both here and at Panama to repulse the land attack by the insurgents, which is momentarily ex- There troops at Panama under the command of General Garcia. Senor Ariona remains civil governor of this district pending the receipt of instructions from Bogota
 The Colombian gunboat General Pin zon coaled here yesterday and sailed at o'clock last night for Savanilla. She is expected to return to Colon by the end . of this week with endorsements for the government.
 liberals, including Domingo de La Rosa. were arrested here yesterday.
 A Heavy Loss.
 Mexico City, January 21. = General Reyes, delegate to the Pan American con- ference. and other Colombians here, do not attempt to conceal their anxiety over the Panama situation and they describe the loss of General Alban as almost irre- pairable Owing to the mention of a mutiny on board the Latauro they sur mise that General Alban may have been shot by one of its crew. They look for momentary news of great land battle and attack on Panama. General Tovar they say, Is the best possible substitute for General Alban and they suppose him l to be at Cartagena, two or three days distant from the scene of operations They frankly admit the situation to be grave.