The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-08-10

Washington, Aug. Sg--The situation in Colombia and Venezuela continued to occupy much of the attention of the officials today. and while it was not felt that affairs had reached serious aspect. yet it was appreciated that both the official and unofficial advices indicated d condition of affairs which might mean war between Colombia and Venezuela complicated by revolution ary outbreaks in both countries.
 Today the State Department received A mail communication from Consul General U1Idger at Panama. and though this was dated nearly a month ago, It told Of the landing of a revolutionary expedition. and expressed the current belief held at Panama that this would be followed by other expeditions.
 The Department also received let ter from ]. Edward Simmons of New York, President of the Panama Rali- road Company. confirming his commu- nication of yesterday reiauve ID tne trouble on the isthmus, and stating that the superintendent of the road had advised him as to the depredations of an tnsurgent band which did not num- her however. much more than fifty men. -.
 The more serious aspect of the mat tor xyas presented in the press dis matches from Willemstad. stating that the Colombians again had inVaaeo Venf zuela. There was no official con ftrsaaeion | E to thin. but 1T RnoliIu nroye correct. there seems httle chance of avoiding an open conflict petweeh these two counties. as such an lhVasi''i by Colombia would in itself be an act of war - 4.
 Al the Navy Department 1t was de- o,dad definitely to send the battlesalp Wisconsin down to San Diego, Cal., Tn case the deslrabiltty of that move pc, came evident by the time she reachen San Francisco and the state Depdit, roa,t wae SO advised. A force would ho sent from the North Atlantic squad ron if it should become desirable :,
 MT Herran. the First Secretary or the Colombian Legation who IS III charge during pr. Silva's absence sdiu today: ,u,,. is now feared is near the oorderlanu, In the vicinity of the Mota River sou'h of the Lake of Maracafbo.
 Tho Colombian Minister of War IS General Gonzales Valencia, who has good record as a fighter. and has rem dered distinguished service during the guerrilla warfare of year past and Mir. Herrar thought 1t quite likely that he had been called upon to lead the army of Colombia.
 MT. Herran pointed out that Colom- bia has a population of 1000, 900, against 3. COG OG0 of Venezuela. and an army or about 40, 900 men who have beer for the most part in active service against revolutionary bands for the last year He expressed his earnest hope that condition of actual war would not re- suit from the present troubles. but be- lteVcd his country U be fully able to take care of herself in that emergency.
 If traffic on the Isthmus should he stopred 1t probably would bring about an inquiry by the United States gov ernment to the government of Colom- bia as to the ability of the latter to cope with the situation. for the primary duty is on Colombia and only when she fails will the United States Hep in. When a similar trouble arose in 1885, the United States dld not act until the Colombian government requested action. making it plain that the trou- ble had got beyond the power of It's authority