Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-08
THE REVOLT IN COZ OMBlA
~
Attempt of the Liberals to oult the Conss1-
vatives.
Y :
Finances Of the County In a Hopeless
Z ~
Conditi"n-Presress of
the Uprising.

The government has re eived through one
of its agents an interesting account of the
| inception and growth of the present revo-
lutionary movement in Colombia The re-
volt. according to his statement is an at
tempt on the part of the liberals to GUST the
conservatives who have been in power for
many years. The finances of the country
are in a hopeless condition; the present
rate of exchange is eight Colombian dollars
for one in gold. but ten to one is often
given. The government has been unable
to negotiate loans at II per cent interest,
and can obtain money only through forced
leans levied upon the merchants. The effect
of this state of affairs upon trade and COM
merce has been disastrous, and the liberals
saw their opportunity to revolt. In Colom-
bia change of party can be effected only
by revolution, in any so-called election
the greater part of the balloting Is done
by the soldiers. who vote only the govern
ment ticket and make it very unpleasant
for those who attempt to do otherwise.
Outbreak of the Revolt.
The present revolt is represented to be
well organized. with directories for each Of
the nine provinces, and military officers of
reputation as leaders-such as Urbe-Urbe
Ruiz, Cigarero. etc. Their troops are poor
ly armed, undisciplined and green, so that
+ for the present they carry on only a
guerrilla warfare. The uprising was pre-
mature and in advance of the arrival Of
proper arms and supplies. being melted by
the sister revolution in Venezuela. The
disturbance began in Santander, which is
the center of the rebellion now. The gar
rsons of the coast towns and ports were
hurried to the scene of the revolt by the
government, and only few ragged con-
scripts were left for protection The regal
lar troops We're reported to be 10000 strong,
well armed with MauSers, and disciplined,
but the agent could thew
were armed with Anticipated guns Of every
make. and with chasseur cap the only
mark of uniform. There was no such thing
as drill, but as they were to be opposed to
soldiers even less efficient, 1t mattered lit
tie. There was lack of officers.
The revolutionary movement had at the
time of writing been confined to Santander,
and 1t affirmed that the liberals would
make no demonstration in Panama and Co
Ion account of foreign interests there.
The country is under martial law and all
males capable OF carrying arms were being
impressed into the military service. so that
a state Of terrorism prevailed.
Disastrous River Engagement.
The principal engagement so far has been
naval one and the agent gives graphic
account Of this. 1t took place on the night
oi October "a, at A point called Los Obs
pos. some three hundred miles up the Mag
dalena river, below Puerto Naconal. The
rev0lutionistS We're embarking seven
river steamers which they seized and were
coming down the river presumably with
the hope of capturing Cartagena some
other coast town, in order to get possess
ion of the custom house and revenues.
Their steamers We're unprotected and I'M
armed while the government troops were
on two similar vessels, which had been
protected by plating and railway iron, and
were armed with Gatlings and one Hotch-
kiss gun. The two fleets met in the dark,
one steaming up the river at a speed Of
seven knots the other coming down the
rapid current at twelve to fourteen knots.
The government vessels--the Hercules and
CoIOmbia-were charged by the Helena
and others of the insurg,Iit force. and the
Hercules was rammed by the Helena. but
the blow struck her oqrs taeTpaddlebox and
did no material damage: The general ON
the Helena then ordered the pilot to ram
another vessel. which the pilot assured him
one of his own squadron. but with
revolver to the mans head the general
insisted on his command being obeyed. The
result was that the Christobal Colon a
steam dredger and his best ship, was struck
amidships and went down, carrying with
her 80 men. This loss disheartened the
insurgents that they put about ran their
vessels along shore and deserted them.
Other than the one great disaster there
We're few casualties some eight or ten OF
them in all, including the generals pilot,
who was promptly shot to cover the mis-
take of his superior.
1t was reported that since then the in
surgents had lost Cigaero, one of their
ahleSt generals, in a recent engagement,
and rumors were current without confirma-
ton that the insurgents had captured Boz
gotta. With the exception Of the capture
of Rio Hacha. by the government forces.
after slight resistance. all operations have
been confined to the original provinces OF
Santander and Tolima. and the seacoast
was unaffected except by martial law, con-
scription and paralyzing uncertainty.