The sun., 1901-09-05
WAR MY BIZ AVERTED
By Uncle Sans Readiness to Intervene
In Tsthmus Troubles.
WHAT THE PRINCIPALS SAY.
Colombia Hns Already signifed Her
Willingness to Accept Mediation
by us, but yeneEueln's Ro-
ply Is Less Definite.

Washington, Sept. 4.-The action of
the United States In rendering its good
offices to Venezuela and Colombia to
avert war between those countries
hns not yet advanced to a point where
this government has begun the work of
mediator. 1t has signified Its willing
ness to act, but it will remain for the
two countries to indicate when the
time has arrived for actual mediation.
Colombia already has made known
that she will welcome the exercise of
the pacific offices of the United States
In this acceptance it Is understood that
Colombia denies that she has invaded
Venezuela and also places the burden
of the issue OH President Castro in per-
son as against the body of the venezu-
elan people The response of Venezue-
In is understood to be less definite in
accepting the good offices of the United
States.
For the present, therefore, it Is not
expected that the United States will
take further active steps. although its
tender stands as Il clear intimaton to
the contenling parties that the United
States is likely TO take such action as
is necessary to avert war.
The Colombian minister, DR.. Silva,
and the Venezuelan charge d'affaires,
Srnor Pulido. left for Buffalo in the
Fan. American party which seems to
indicate that no immediate crisis is an
tcpatcd.
The note of the United States offer.
ing to mediate has created an unusual
stir in South American diplomatic quar-
ters, as 1t is construed to be rather
marked development of the Monroe
doctrine and one which will be most
acceptable to South America.
CoIombia's Next Move.
The Colombian government will make
an emphatic rojonder to the official
statement of Venezuela that armed in
yasions by Colombian troops have been
crossing the Venezuelan frontier and
have been forcing war upon that coun'
try. Although the terms of the reply
are not determined upon, it will show
in substance that the attitude of co
lombia has been one of forebearancc
that Colombian troops on the frontier
are there for the legitimate purpose Of
protecting the border and that any
crossing of the line has been by de
tached bands without the approval O
the federal government.
AS against yenezuelas assertions
that Colombia is forcing war, it Is like
" to be pointed out that Colombia ha
remained silent while Venezuela ha
received the Colombian inSurgent lead
or, General Tribe. mt Caracas and tina
President Castro and Tribe have hell
conferences on their mutual plans.
In this connection 1t has just beel
disclosed that General Tribe made
statement nj the Colombian legation y
this city to the effect that the reyolt
tionary movement of which he is hea
had the support of Venezuela, Ecuado
and Nicaragua. The statement wa
made during the pentency of negoti
tions for the surrender of the revolt
tiopists.
The negotiations with Tribe closet
it il authoritatively stated, with u
agreement of surrender, but the e.
that this was clever ruse on his pa
by which his agents secured passport
through Colombia.
RusseIrs Position MT Caracas.
Mail adviccs from Venezuela whio
reached the state department dnrll
the day contain Il report from Minist
Bowen, dated ut Caracas about Il
middle of August. upon the condition
under which Mr.. Russell, the tnt'
States charge, undertook the custot
of the Colombian legation Mt Caracas
1t appears from Mr. Rowcn's accou
that the Colombian minister left {
racas not because of Il breach Of rel
tions between Venezuela and Colol
bia. but to get into closer relatio
with his own government, he haSi
found it difficult to communicate WI
that government from Caracas.
Russell was requested by the vii
drawing minister to assume charge
the legation premises, not to und
take to look after the business or I
legation The Venezuelan governmt
was advised of this request, and, IN;
ing no objection, Mr. Russell took
keys of the Colombian legation.
Mr. Bowen inclosed with his rep
copy of the long note from the "
eZuelan government addressed to
world at large through the diploma
representatives Mt Caracas, the $
stance of which has been made put
in preceding cable dispatches. 1t IS
Iieved here that there Is nothing
tins note to make war between
two countries unavoidable. Mr. BoV
makes no comment of his own NJ
the political conditions in Nenezueli
warships Hasten to Venezuela
Caracas, Venezuela, Sept. 4. M.
German second class cruiser Vim
and the Italian third class cruiser
bria have arrived at La Guayra,
port of Caracas.