The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-09-04
NOW AN ARMED CRUISER
q. j. GOULD'S YACHT ATALANTA
CONVERTED INTO A wARsHIP.
May BE Used by the Republic of CO.
lombia in Collecting Indem-
nifty from Venezuela.

NEW YORK, Sept. 3.-The Herald says:
George ]. Gould's famous yacht ATLANTA.
converted into an armed cruiser and pro-
vided with rapid fire guns of the latest
pattern, will leave this port at an early
date bound upon mission about which
the representatives of the Colombian re-
public. to which she now belongs, maintain
secrecy. Information brought by travellers
returning from Central America indicates
that the United States of Colombia, hav-
ing suppressed a recent rebellion of I'M
usually sanguinary character, is deter
mined to call Venezuela to account for per-
hitting the rebels to organize there and
cross the line into Colombia.
1.-THE ATLANTA, noted for her speed, was
purchased under special instructions for
The Colombian government July 20.
Since that time the yacht, which was built
for Jay Gould, has been undergoing a quiet
transformation in the Erie basin. From a
luxurious pleasure craft she has been
changed into a war vessel. Her armament
includes six machine guns and a rapid-fire
4.7-inch rifle, mounted forward. The day
of the Atalanta's departure and her destina-
ton are diplomatic secrets.
According TO trustworthy advices from
Colombia there is strong popular feeling
against Venezuela as the result of the re-
cent international struggle. Charges are
openly made that Venezuela instigated the
rebellion and gave aid and comfort to the
enemies of Colombia. 1t is asserted that at
least twelve hundred of the rebels crossed
the line from Venezuela into Colombian
territory, and that in the fighting that en-
sued five hundred government troops We're
killed by the invaders. The total losses
during the are placed at 1900.
When Colombia is ready, 1t is said, she
will ask an indemnity from Venezuela of
5000 for each of the five hundred soldiers
killed, of 81 800, 900 in all. Additional claims
may be made for property destroyed and
also for the cost of suppressing the rebels
whom Venezuela permitted to cross her
borders. Venezuela will also be asked TO
surrender General Sarmiento and his fol-
lowers, together with two gunboats. cap
tured in a Venezuela port General Sar-
miento and the members of the crews of
the two vessels were thrown into prison in
Caracas and their ships confiscated after
the rebellion had been suppressed in
Colombia. These enemies of Colombia are
II is said, about TO be set free by Presi-
dent Castro. All these incidents have COM
bined TO anger the Colombian government
and populace against Venezuela. Besides
heavy money indemnity. an apology and
guarantee for the future will probably be
asked.
''Venezuelans say that these demands will
be refused and that il they are insisted
upon war will probably result between
the two countries. Representatives of both
countries have recently purchased rifles
and ammunition in large quantities in this
country. Colombia has just ordered l., 600
new model Remington rifles, firing a small
bullet of seven millimeters, similar to the
Spanish Mauser. The guns are light and
carry sword bayonets. Although the revo-
luton in Colombia has been put down the
standing army. said 10 number $1,000 H.
kept up and there is no talk of disband-
ing IL.
''Senor Eduardo Espinosa. consul general
In New York and at present charge
d'affaires Of the Colombian republic I'm this
country, said last night that he could not
discuss the plans of his government 1t
is true that we have purchased the Alta
lanta and that she is being armed and is
about ready to SAIL. said Senior Espinosa
She is being armed and will have new
rame. No. / cannot say what day she will
sail. or 10 what port she will go l may
go in her myself. but in that case new
representative of my government will be
appointed. IF Colombia gets into difficulty
ever the recent rebellion she has 5000
regulars ready for service. and the 10000
rebels who have been disbanded would take
up arms for their country. so that We
would have 10000 men I'm the field. Vene-
zrela could not resist such an army.
Mr.. Gonzales Esteres. Venezuela : con-
sui said that his advices were that every
thing Is now peaceful I'm Central America
He said that Colombia and Venezuela had
some differences over boundary disputes
but that their relations at present are not
particularly strained. He added that Ven
ezuela's army at present numbers 5000
men,,