SLAUGHTER OF BRITISH SUBJECTS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2778, 17 August 1885, Page 2

SLAUGHTER OF BRITISH SUBJECTS.

♦ Advices received at Plymouth on June 11th supply details of a fearful slaughter of British subjects at Culibra, Central America, says the Times. A gang •of nondescript soldiers of the policemen called Caucans were sent from Panama to quell a reported riot at Emperador. When the Caucans arrived they found that the disturbance was over, and that there was no need for their services. Four of their number strayed into a canal laborer's camp in the vicinity. They wore no uniform, and having no right to intrude they were disarmed by the canal policemen. Flushed with drink and desirous of revenge, the Caucans sought their comrades, and, joined by several Cartbagenians armed with machetes, about twenty of them made a descent upon the camp at night. They first asked for water, and whilst it was deing brought them they shot the bearers and hacker! them with fchsir machetes. Those of tho men who fled were ruthlessly shot down and mutilated, aud those who, terrorstricken, refused or were unable to leave their beds, were shot and hacked where they lay. Many managed to escape, but all were plundered, the camp being ransacked, and every article of value being carried off. On the morning following this brutal massacre twenty-nine bodies perforated with bul'ets and disfigured with machete wounds were interred by the canal people, and nineteen wounded were sent to the Canal Hospital in Panama. Every man killed or wounded was a Jamaican. On the departure of the mail bringing these details it was reported that Sir Henry Norman had written to the Imperial Government for instructions.