New-York tribune., 1901-08-16
PLOT AGAINST COLOMBIA
THREE REPUBLICS PLAN MAR
ROQUIN'S ERTHROW.
VENEZUELA, NICARAGUA AND ECUADOR
AIDING GENERAL URIBE-INFLU-
ENCE OF THE CHURCH IN
COLOMBIA

,yevs has been received in this country in
-olving Venezuela Nicaragua and Ecuador in
,be attempt OF General Rafael Uribe-Uribe, the
colombian rebel leader. 10 overthrow the gov
srnment OF Colombia 4 year ago IL was known
- the Colombian authorities that the rebels
under Tribe were receiving material assistance
.rou, these republics. and recent developments
snd information received by Colombian secret
service agents confirm the belief that these
countries are preparing open and simultaneous
attacks upon Colombia It has further been
learned that the plan of attack has practically
been agreed upon. Large numbers OF Mica
raeuans have already Joined the rebels in the
Department OF Panama. and it viii be these
-osrauding bands the United States will have TO
deal with II II IT becomes necessary to land ma
rines at Colon or Panama TO protect American
interests the isthmus.
THE POINT OF ATTACK
venezuela's point Of attack viii naturally be
from the Colomban-Venezuelan border, where
the recent battles are reported TO have taken
Mace between Venezuelan regulars and an in
radng army, commanded, according to Venez-
ue.an authorities. by General Gonzales Valencia.
Il is somewhat doubtful however, if General
Valencia had anything TO do with this move
rnent unless war has already broken out be-
tween Venezuela and Colombia. General Va
lencia IS a man Of high attainments. and is one
OF the best known men in Colombia. He is
Governor Of the Department of Santander and
was chosen for that office because OF his ability
and military fitness. He has under him 10000
Colombian regulars. and IT, the Venezuelan
dispatches allege he has invaded Venezuelan
territory with this force war between the two
republics IS inevitable.
II the present plans are carried out the
devious Of the Ecuadorian invaders will be in
he her7 n Of he of
where two Colombian rebel generals are now
said 10 be encamped with 900 troops
A among these three republics would be
one OF the most disastrous conflicts in the his
tory OF South America The population of
Colombia IS an unknown quantity no accurate
information having been collected since 1871.
An estimate in 1881 placed it at 3.STS 900. and
a stin later estimate, given in 1898. places the
total number OF inhabitants al 100000. in
cluding some 100000 uncivilized Indians venez-
uela has a population of 2.444. SIC; Ecuador's
population is estimated at l271. SCI. and the
number Of inhabitants OF Nicaragua is given at
10000.
FIGHTING MAINLY ON LAND.
The greater part Of the fghting naturally
would be on land. and the rules of civilized war
fare not followed very closely in South
America. In the first year and a half of the
Tribe revolution, which was supposed to have
ended with the rebel leaders peace manifesto,
there were between thirty thousand and thirty
five thousand deaths Colombians make good
soldiers when well led, and most OF the Colon
bian officers were trained by Captain H r
Lemly. United States artillery (retired), a
brother Of Captain Lemly, judge advocate of the
navy. Captain Lemy military instructor in
Colombia for several years. The new Minister
Of War Of Colombia, General Pedro Ospina has
also felt the effect Of American influence. He is
one Of three brothers who were educated at the
University OF California His father, General
Mariana Ospina, was President of Colombia
from 1857 TO 1860. and was deposed as the re-
suit OF a revolution led by General Mosuuera
gTieyed because Of the alleged interference Of
good deal mas been printed recently regard
ing the influence of the clerical party in Colon
hia- A well known Colombian now in this coun-
try said 10 a Tribune representative in discuss
ing these reports: There is no church party
recognized such In Colombia The Catholic
Church has no representative in the ca binet, as
formerly the custom in two South
American republics under Liberal govern
ments; has the Church representative in
any department Of the government. The Church
receives no pecuniary support from the gov
ernment Its revenue is exclusively derived
from voluntary contributions, is the case in
the United States The bishops are appointed
by the Pope, and their jurisdiction does X
tend beyond purely spiritual matters"