The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-09
Colombia without Monetary Re
sources and Beset with Enemies.

COLON, sept. b, VIA h1ngSIOn, sept. y
Colombias financial straits extreme
and she is pushed to the last point to OBJ
tain funds. The Colombian paper peso
(par value 1876 cents) is now worth less
than cents, and gold continues to appre-
ciate. Seventy or so per cent of the people
of the country sympathize with the revolu-
ton and are opposed to the present govern
ment, largely, it is asserted, on account of
the government eXaction of taxes and i'm
posts and other vexatious efforts to raise
money This financial distress, coupled
with the extent Of the revolution, which
momentarily becomes more threatening
this being especially the case in the Vene-
Zuelan entanglement-it is asserted, con-
stitutes the strongest reason why Colombia
cannot go TO war with Venezuela with any
hope of success.
The future contains no promise of finan-
cial betterment ana the people become
daily more burdened. Forced loans are
common and their daily recurrence is ex-
pected In some cases customs receipts
have been hypothecated months in advance
as security for these loans and in other
cases no security is given; The continual
tion of such governmental impoSitiOns in
CreaSes the liberal ranks and prOlongatiOn
of the present situation will, IL is believed
increase the Liberals chances or success.
The government is holding the army,
which il is making strenuous efforts to pay,
and which. with the official employees,
seems strong enough TO prolong the present
situation, but unable to deal the reVou-
ton a crushing. effective blow. Time will
strengthen the rebels position throughout
the country, but i'm the isthmus district
they notably lack leaders. The government
to-day owes the 15O0 troops on the 18TH
mus $4,000 in gold in back pay. 1t is ex-
pected that the return to the isthmus of
General Alban. commander-in-chef of the
Colombian forces. will be attended with
stringent measures and forced loans I'm or
der To raise money TO pay these troops.
Although the governments financial eX-
tremity is asserted 10 be continually in
creasing. il has not yet been automatically
reported that the government has moleSteG
foreigners or attempted to effect forced
loans from foreigners Many foreigners
currenCe to be approaching, especially since
the going into effect of the decree of July
Is, which gives 10 minor officials full power
TO t2ke any measure they may consider
necessary 10 crush the rebellion and pre-
serve the dignity of the country
Reports are again in circulation that
the Liberals are concentrating at Correra
on the Pacific coast fifteen miles north Of
Panama. Similar reports have been current
for weeks past.
Minor Colombian officials unite in blam-
ing Venezuela for whatever conditions ex-
list upon the frontier.
IL the Liberals come into power they will
il IS believed. find the country bankrupted
and impoverished through maladministra-
ton. There is nothing TO show conclu-
sively that the Liberals are any better ad-
mnistratOrs than the present Conservative
government. All Colombian export and i'm
port duties payable I'm gold or local
paper on a gold valuation.