Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-23
BLAINE'S NEW BUYERS
Coming From South America for
Pittsburg Manufactures.
GOOD EFFECTS OF RECIPROCITY.
Colombia Purchasing Rifles and Smokeless
Powder to
INSURE A FAIR AND FREE ELECTION

Blame reciprocity treaties with Soutt
American countries are already bearing
substantial fruit, not only in the cultivation
OF a more friendly feeling between tn,
nations, but in the production of business
and profits for the Americans.
Pittsburg had an example yesterday o.
what reciprocity has accomplished. Colonel
Pedro Villar, Chief Engineer of the Army
of the United States of Colombia, is in the
city buying engines and rifles for his Gov.
ernment. He comes here as the representa-
tive of President Rafael Nunez, and he SAYS
frankly he can buy the firearms cheaper in
England, but his country is so well pleased
with the reciprocity treaty that the Gov.
ernment intends to give all its trade to the
Yankees This good news shows that both
nations are pleased with the reciprocal re-
lations established.
Locomotives for a Southern Republic.
The Colonel yesterday placed an order for
five middle-gauge locomotives with the 81.
K. Porter engine company. They are to be
used on the railroad running up to Bogota,
the capital of Colombia, which is situated
on the top of the Andes Mountains The
Government controls both the telegraphs
and railroads, and the Colonel says the peo-
pie are satisfied. 1t greatly intrenches the
position of the President, and gives him
| two strong weapons for the prevention and
suppression of revolutions with which most
South American Republics are afflicted.
The Colonel left for New York last even
| ing and will buy 10000 rifles in that city.
Smokeless powder has become famous south
cf the equator since the Chilean insurgents
r1co off 1r Ro1p ,rI
the Colombian Government wants a lot it.
Colonel Villar will also order a number of
smokeless powder cartridges. The Colonel
speaks English very well, and he appeared
at the Seventh Avenue yesterday attired in
his military dress He SAID it was one of
the rules of the Government to wear the
uniform everywhere.
Bullets to Help . Fair selIot,
Colombia has treaty with the United
States against the sale Of firearms to indi-
viduals. This is intended ls q precartion
against rebellions. The Colonel had lot
of military papers, countersigued by the
American Minister at Bogo.a, explaining
that he was an officer of the army author.
lied to purchase rifles for the Government.
There is significant feet in this pur-
chase, and it augurs i'll for the Radicals of
Colombia. Colonel Villar says they always
have revolution during the Presidential
election. The last one occurred in 1885,
when the Liberal party split into the Radi-
Gals and Independents. The latter coalesced
with the Conservatives, and elected Rafael
Nunez President This was not without
bloodshed. Nunez is now candidate for
reelection, and the vote will be cast in
May. When Congress assemblies, in July,
the ballots will be opened and the success
full man announced. Then it is that blood
shed is feared. and the Government is max
ing preparations for it. The Presidential
electors were voted for last December.
Nunez's only opponent was General Veles,
and it is conceded on all sides that in the
preliminary skirmish the General was
worsted. He is the representative of the
Radical party, and Colonel Villar says the
Radical press is urging its followers to
revolt: Veles is an active man, and the
Government is not taking any chances on
him.
Regular Seasons for Revolutions
81 don't think we will have a revolution
in july" said Colonel Villar. "Ssill, we
generally have one every Presidential year.
This time 1 think the Government is too
powerful, and the election will be decided
without bloodshed. The population of
Colombia is 100000, and the standing
army consists of 5000 men, armed with si
Remington rifles. A republic in which all |
men are free is new to our people, and every
man in the country is conceited enough to |
think he would make first-class President. |
This is the cause of the frequent revolu- |
tions. Tie Colombians are great fighters, |
and they will never give up until thor |
oughly whipped In America your people |
are devoted to business 1t doesn't make |
any difference to them who is Presi- |
dent. When the result is announced |
1t is over, and every man returns /
to his work satisfied Not so
in our country. When the election is de- |
cided, then the revolution comes, and it is
the survival of the fttest. L regard Presi-
dent Nuney as the best and most progressive |
man in South America There is nothing
Of the dictator in his nature. He does not |
encroach on the rights of the people, and he |
doesn't allow ANYBODY else to do so. He is
the nominee Of the Conservatives and Inde-
pendents. the strongest factions in the
State. For this reason he is sure to be re.
elected, and the Government will be in DO
sition to suppress revolt as soon as it be-
gins.
Very Friendly to the United States.
II wish to correct false impression that
the Americans have received about South
Americans Foreigners would have YOU
believe that we hate you, but this is far
from the truth. In Colombia the United
States Minister is received in society above
all others and the teachers in the military
schools come from West Point. In the
event of trouble with European country
we always look to the United States for
moral support and material assistance
South Americans have the most friendly
feeling toward their fellows in the North,
and they only hope it is reciprocated. Now
that reciprocity treaties have been estab-
lished, most of our trade will so to the
United States instead of Europe Ten
years ago we scarcely had mile of railroad
in Colombia, now we have 500 miles con-
trolled by the Government. One line
owned by private capital begins near the
border and runs through Venezuela.
"Three-fourths of our country is still a
dense forest of mahogany, black cedar and
rose trees. The ties in the railroad running
up the mountain to Bogota are rosewood.
Ii they could be delivered into American
markets, they would be worth great deal
of money. The black cedar is another
costly wood here. 1t is susceptible of
fine polish, and makes the most beautiful
furniture. However, all this valuable tim
Der is drug with us. 1t is too expensive
to ship it to the coast, and so it is not worth
much.
Big Money in Coffee and Rubber.
'Our coffee plantations, however, are the
largest in the world Our quinine trade used
to be extensive until the East Indians took to
raising it, and overstocked the market
Rubber is one of the staple products, and
many of our people are engaged in the
cachou business"
Colonel Villar is watching the revolution
in Venezuela very keenly. He says he
knows General Crespo, who is fighting the
President. few days ago it was reported
in the American nonars fbof Crorro b,d |