Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-02
A REVOLUTIONARY TANGLE.
An Agent of the Colombian InsurS-
cnts Suing and Being sued.

From the Nsao Yorh Times.
When the revolt OF the Liberals, headed
by Gen. Ricardo Gaitau, against the Die
tatorship of President Nunez was at its
height in the United States OF Colombia,
Gaitau sent his nephew, Col. Benjamin
Gaitau, To this city to purchase arms and
ammunition. Soon after his arrival here
Col. Gaitau became very confidential
with Santiago Perez Triana, Beaver
street broker, whom he accepted as
great advocate Of the revolution because
he was a relative Of several prominent
leaders OF the Liberal party in Colombia.
To Triana he contided the duty OF receiV-
ing letters addressed to MIN, OF trans
hitting those he wished to reacn Co.
lomba. Of receiving money sent either
from Colombia, and Of buying and send-
ing TO Colombia necessary arms and am
munition. Altogether, Col. Gaitau says.
Triana received as his agent $4,000. He
purchased arms and ammunition and
started them toward Colombia on the
steamship CITY OF Mexico. Col Gaitau
saws he gave HTiaua mass Of important
correspondence to Colombia on that
steamship, but that when the city OF
Mexico was seized by our government Tor
an infractiOn OF the neutrality laws the
letters were not found on her. Trlana, he
saws, merely remarked that they must
have been lost.
Col. Gaitau did not lose confidence in
Triana, but employed him 10 procure
vessel capable OF taking at least 300 men
and arms TO Colombia. Trlana purchased
the steamship Alden, which was at
Jamaica, charging her cost at 5000; but
Col. Gaitau saws he delayed the arrival OF
the vessel here to take to Colombia the
rifles. etc. of which the Teyolutlonists
were in sore need The means OF war not
reaching them. the INSURGENTS were routed
in August last, Gen. Gaitau was cap
tured, and he died in prison, and many
others of President NuUez'5 opponents
were banishcd from Colombia. He SAYS
that as soon a. the revolutionists were
put down his friend Trana suddenly an
n0unced hims self as the commercial agent
of the Nuuez government. AVID appeared
as the close friend OF CHmac0 Calderon,
the Colombian Consul here. Convinced
that he had been betrayed. Col. Gaitau de-
manded full accounting from Trlana.
Before he got an accounting the steam
ship Alden, which Triana had bought for
him, arrived here, aud he discovered her
to be unfit to carry guns, unable TO ac-
commOdate 200 men, and worth less than
$4,000 instead of$l9,000 BY his account
Triana showed Col. Gaitau to be his
debtor Tor SlO.I 20, GaltaN Saws he uiS-
puftd, and threatened lawsuit, where
upon Triana proposed a comprom se on
the basis Of the account as IL stood, the
surrender Of the steamship Alden to the
Colombian government. AID a pardon
ana So. 900 for Col. Gaitau. TBis proposal
was accepted, and Col G3ltau says Con-
SUI Calderon ratified the agreement.
But some time aiterward the Consul
told MIN that President Nunez would not
pardon him, aud TrIana IA led TO pay him
all the money mentioned in the agree
ment. Gaitau said he would sue rriana.
aud Consul Calderon tod him that ii he
did the Colombian government would sue
him He did sue Tfiaua for $50. 600, and
the Colombian government Immediately
sued him for $SS, 900, the amount ofmoney
be bad expended through rrlana with the
expectation OF Denefttog the revolution
Ists. In Its spit the Colombian govern
IN Mt procured an attachment and levied
on certain machinery alleged 20 belong to
Gsitau. Gailsu's counsel Gen. George
w Wingaie, recently obtained an order
tor the examination OF 'friana before trial.
Messrs. Robertson & Harm0n. Triaua's
counsel, moved before Jud - Van Brunt,
in Supreme Court, Chambers, for the
vacation Of the order on the ground that
preliminary examination WAS not neces-
sary, as Col. Gaitsu was spprised OF all
the matters IN controversy end was not
subject to surprise at trial. Judge Van
Brunt reserved his decision.