The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-21

Panama harbor. The cablegram came from Colonel J. R. Smaller, general super intendent at Colon for the Panama Rail- way Company.
 Colon. Colombia, Jan 20, via Calves ton.-A naval battle, which began at 6 o'clock this morning. is in progress Tn the harbor of Panama.
 The revolutionary fleet consists of the steamer Padilla. Darien and Gaitan.
 They are trying to force landing off Sacana.
 The government ships are the Chilean line steamer Lautaro; the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's steamer Chicuito and the Panama Canal Company's steam CT Boyaca.
 The first named steamer was seized by General Alban and the other two have been chartered by the Colombian Gov ernment
 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 fr- ing at the rebels ships.
 The government forces are throwing up entranchments.
 The United States cruiser Philadelphia is close to the scene of the fighting.
 Panama, Jan. 2O-The Lautaro is on fire. The revolutionary gunboat Darien, as this dispatch is written is approach ing the United States cruiser Philadel- phia in the harbor, probably for the pur- nose of a conference. The firing has ceased. It is impossible to locate the revolutionary gunboats Padillo and Caitan. The crew of the Philadelphia are assisting to put out the fire on board the Lautaro. It is rumored here on shore that the firing of the Lautaro Is result of treason.
 Later-The Lautaro has just sunk. It ts reported here that her crew rebelled. The revolutionary gunboat Padilla sur prised the Lautaro at the opening of the fight this morning and began shooting at close range. Many men on board the l.autaro were killed. A gasoline launch has just left here to obtain details of the fighting. The slow movements of the Padlla which are noticeable from the shore, lead to the belief that she has been damaged
 The government gunboat Boydca has has just mored to the dock here. She brings troops from Chiriqui. She re- ports that the revolutionary steamers Tadlla, Darien and Gaitan drew off when they became aware of her presence The Darien is now reported to be in a sink ing condition.
 Panama. Jan. 2o.-Gen. 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 AL ban was loved by his soldiers and en- joyed the esteem of the community. It is asserted that the death of the Colombian leader may have 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 they are being buried.
 New York, Jan. 20.-The steamship I,autaro, whose seizure has caused trouble with the Chilean Government. says a Colon (Colombia) cablegram to The Herald, arrived in port yesterday with General Alban on board The vessel will probably leave soon. Guns from the Colombian warship General Pinzon have been placed on the Lautaro, which will be used in the campaign against the in- surgent war vessel.
 Captain Lace still remains on the Lau- taro, according to cable instructions from Valparaiso, Chill. He refused to char fer the vessel to the Colombian Govern uent so that it could be used as a gum boat. The Venezuelan revolutionary steamship Libertado. formerly the Ban Righ. which carried the Matos expedi- tion to Venezuela. is still al Barranquilla. II k reported that she is having her en- zines cleaned. hut the real object of her call al the Colombian port, or when she wtll leave it has not been learned.
 The Colombian vessel General Pinzon is 4xp-ot d 10 return to Colon soon from Boeas Lcl Toro, where she went to eX-