The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-12-25

to be in Colon from Cuebra 4 and who
chcerfully rendered to the naval force the
benefit OF his engineering skill. 9srhe NASH.
vile 81 landing party, had brougllt7$as1ylth
them arms and ammunition Y for y hose
civilians who might he disposed to assist
IT. tho Work Of defending American inter
esls, and about 20 employees Of the Pana-
ma Railroad anaS} ioother foreigners vol
unteered for this service. AZ,
THE AMERICANS WERE COOL:
Tho situation Is pronounced by Colonel
Shaler,y a. Civil Wat,Yetera n who has been
in moro than one close place, to have been
one Of the most desperate he has ever
known. Against a force OF $50 Colombian
soldiers there was opposed not more than
GO American sailors marines and civilians.
A brave dash. hndlIit been attempted by
the Colombinns. might have put them In
command OF tho situation, y.3enabling
them to overwhelm& the defending force:
but for some reason the dash was not at
tempted, All OF the afternoon of tho 4th
the antagonists waited Tho Colombians
Nero Kept closely in their garrisons, while
tho American force did not stir from the
barricaded freight house. Tho latter
realized that if they should be assaulted
victory would almost certainly rest with
he superior numbers; but they. were pre-
rared to sell their lives dearly. and their
department at this critical stage was sue.
as to deserve tho admiration Of the ma
ton. The little company Of 40 tackles
was there TO do the work necessary to keen
transit on the Isthmus open, and never
Tor a moment did they faltcr in their de-
Termination. Colonel Black and Lieutcn-
ant Commander Witze were cool through
out the ordeal, directing operations as
calmly rs though they had an army back
of them, and Captain Hubbard, OF tho
Nashville. did not hesitate for ono instant.
Willie the American sailors and civil
ians were preparing to defend themselves
and all American interests on tho Colon
side OF the lsthmus. Governor Mollendes
was continuing his negotiations with Col
onel Torres. Earlier In the morning Col
oncl Shaer had played his cards so
adroitly as to have cleared the situation
of the menace offered by tho presence Of
the Colombian gunboHt Cartagena. When
that boat reached Colon on Tuesday
morning, she was short OF water There
was plenty OF coal in her bunkers, but
OF water there WAS virtually none, and
the entire available supply OF fresh water
for stocking ships .tat that port is con-
troled by the railroad company, which
maintains and operates its own water
works. Wishing to refill his water tanks
tho Cartagena's commander called upon
Colonel Shnlcr. to negotiate for the need
ly disposed gentleman. always ready to
help IL fellow being out Of Il dilemma, but
when the Colombian commander made
his desires known, the Colonel happened,
Just nj the moment, to remember that tho
Colombian government, was Indebted to
the railroad company to the amount Of
$1,000 (sod) for coal, water and other
supplies furnished Colombian naval yes
sells from time TO time Knowing what
had TRANSFERRED at Panama Colonel Shaler
thought that 1t would be wise to collect
the debt and exact payment for the water
needed BY tho Cartagena before assllm-
Ing the rolo of q benefactor to the Colom-
hian naval establishment, lie remember
cd, too, that lle had received positive or
dcrs not TO furnish further accommodate
ton to Colombian naval forces. and with
much regret he explained his inability to
ale tho Colombian commander.
ALL VERY NEATLY DONE.
The latter opned at once that Gov
| nrnor Obaldia, ut Panama, would Under
| take to see to II tina the delinquent bin
Vas paid ana after some dlsc,,ssIo lon ,,pol,
| that point asked permission to telegraph
| to Opaldia. Colonel shalor was quite
wiling Ia facilitate tho Colombian COM
Wnndar to attainment Of his desires;
! hut glancinS out Of his window I'D saw
! rolling into the railroad yards The morn
! ing train from Panama. Tho time had
! como when censorship oyer the telegraph
| and telephone was useless to prevent
knowledge of the secession from Colom-
| lila being communic1 Ned To the troops
| from that republic, SO when the Cartn-l
/ geua's captain was about 10 telegraph
e 10 Governor Obaldla, Colone! Shaler res