The sun., 1882-06-18
THE FIRST DEsJGNfDO.
The United States or Colombia on the Edge
of civil war-Tho Two Doctors.


of civil wnr-Tho Two Doctors.
BoooTA, May "A few days ago tho gar
rlson of this city attended military funeral.
The circumstances were somewhat peculiar.
Gen. Alojo Mordlos. n distinguished Radical or
Liberal leader. had been killed in political
riot which occurred about thirty miles from
here at tho village OF Zipnpuira. which Is noted
for its salt mines These salt mines or salinas.
are operated by tho Colombian Govornment as
a monopoly. Gen. Morales was tho official in
spoctor Of them. The sale OF salt forms no in
considerable part Of the Government revenues,
especially when 1t tetches ton cents a pound. q
price occasionally demanded for the article.
The salt mines. in q certain way. gauge the po-
litical temperature Of the nation. A SUCCESS
full or attempted seizure Of tho mines Is usually
ono Of the first signs OF q revolution. 1t was at
o riot OF this sort at Zipuquira that Con. Mo-
racs was killed.
Let me try to give you n clear idea OF tho sit
uation in this republic. which ia grave enough.
There are two historic parties the Conserva-
tives, or Bovanos, as they used to call them
selves. after the great Bolivar. and the Libor-
ais. or Radicals formerly known as Santander-
istas-that is to say. adherents OF Santander.
Since 1858. when Gen. Mosaucra triumphed
over the Conservatives. the Santanderist party
has continuously held power. 1t should be ex-
planned that the Conservatives include In their
ranks the principal men Of letters OF the coun-
try. and that the Church throws the weight OF
Its influence on that side while the practical
men," the citizens OF force and energy. belong.
"a rule. to the Liberal party. In 1876 tho
Conservatives made an unsuccessful attempt
to seize power. There was q civil war. and
Gen. TruJillo, the hero OF its final and decisive
battle. became President Under his admnis-
tration we had comparative peace. and the
country nrpanNrpd nj Trniillp'a
term Of two years he was succeeded by DIR.
Rafael Nunez. Peace continued The con-
struction OF railroads was undertaken; also
the canalization Of the Magdalena River. the
great commercial outlet of the interior. Edu-
cational schemes were put Into effect, and the
National Bank was organized with part of u
So 900 900 loan obtained from the Panama Rail-
way way Company, 70 1s IT., The company advanced tlat Int
for twenty -seven or more years.
The term Of Dr. Nunez ended with the end OF
found himself supported by a large majority Of
joritles in eight out Of the nine States OF tile
republic. In Colombia the, President is not
President is DR.. Francisco J. Zaldua. an honor
able and distinguished citizen OF Bogota. eighty
o bg 1 s hd %
is to say. he was designated as the successor of
the presidsnt in case Of the lattcr's death or
which the Constitution of Colombia differs
from that Of the United States. on which 1t was
modelled. The system Is open to serious OBJ
jcctions. The First Designado, II he is strong
enough. does not always wait for the death or
inability OF his chief.
At present. therefore. there Is Zaldua party
and Nuhez party. The former comprises tho
ultra Liberals and the Radicals: it has the
President and II majority in one State Of the
Union. The latter composed of the Conscrva-
tives and moderate Liberals or Republicans.
has the First Dcsignado both houses Of Con-
gress. eight out Of nine States. and as is as
serted, the army.
The army is by all means the most important
but we'll disciplined. Its files are made up. Of
Indians, who are excellent soldiers. blindly
obedient to their chiefs. As the chiefs think
and move. so thinks and moves the army.
new President finds himself hampered upon
all sides The Senate has repeatedly refused
TO confirm his nominations to Cabinet Offices.
The now Government remains. as yet, unor-
Ganized. Congress is striving to limit still
trouble thckens. Gen. Aldana the Governor
OF the State of Cundinamarca. the capital OF
which is this city. Ms it is also that OF the
republic. sent arms to his partisans Mt Iipa-
quira. and tho Liberals or Radicals. it appears.
the village is near Bogota the reports that
have reached the city are very contradictory
All that is known is that until the arrival of the
| Sixth Battalion Of the Colombian Guard. fight
and nights. and that anumbcr, had becn killed
and wounded upon both sides. the Liberals
losing Gen. Morales. His funeral occurred
here upon tho 9Th of April. and. as an outbreak
Bogota. consisting of both infantry and artil-
lery. formed the escort. No trouble occurred:
but a single shot Il shout almost will bo sufti-
cicnt to precipitate the country into war;