New-York tribune., 1901-08-23
DEFEAT OF COLOMBIAN REBELS.
NO INVASION FROM ECUADOR AND NO WAR
WITH VENEZUELA

Washington, Aug. 22-The Colombian Minister.
DR. Martinez Silva to-day received an official letter
from the minister of Colombia at Quito Ecuador
which reports engagement near Tomaco. in
which Colombian revolutionists were defeated and
arms, ammunition and prisoners taken The letter
also dscloses the satisfactory condition OF affairs
between Ecuador and Colombia. and disposes of
reports that an armed invasion OF Ecuadorian
troops was TO be apprehended. The minister at
Qulto does not refer TO any trouble with the goy-
ernment Of Ecuador. He says that almost all the
revolutionary chiefs who had fed from Colombia
and taken refuge in Ecuador had gone back to
Colombia. DR. Silva considers this an EXPLANATION
OF the recent press reports force from Ecua-
dor was about to invade Colombia and fight a
battle near Paste. Concerning the gagement
near Tomaco the letter says that General PaIasius
commandant Of the city of Barbaeoas, which had
been recovered by the government was in command
OF the government forces The revolutionary force
was on It's way to Tomaco. the island Of Gaille
and was surprised. Reference to the map makes
II evident that the engagement Toraaeo is part
Of the same movement referred to in press dis
patches as going Pasto, as these two
points are near each other the Colombian side
Of the frontier with Ecuador
Dr silva discussed the dispatches received by The
Associated Press from President Castro Of Venez-
uela, through his secretary. and from President
Aharo Of Ecuador. He spoke without criticism,
ana confined his remarks TO pointing out certain
essential points which these messages from -be
two presidents made clear
coming from such high quarters" said DR.
Silva. 1t cannot be doubted that these MESA ges
arord excellent means of viewing present situ-
aton OF affairs from the standpoints of the two
governments The chief point TO be noticed is that
tney co not treat war existing The message
from President Alfaro expressly States that war
between Colombia and Venezuela is improba bIe
ano ne adds that such conflicts as have occurred
growing out Of re union between the conservatives
N Dotn republics, are OF transitory Character n
is Wen TO bye the view of high an authority
on the improbability Of and on the transitory
character or the party disturbances which have oc-
CURED AS this dispatch from Quito is dated Au-
gust q, seems to dispose Of the reports of sew
erai DAYS ago saying that an Ecuadorian army
was about 10 invade Colombia and night battle
near Paste. Evidently the President of Ecuador
fict " ~ " t
The dispatch from General Castro's secretary
also indicates clearly that exists 1t states
that the conservatives Of Colombia have resolved
10 assist In revolutionary move against Venez-
Oela and her government. From this IL will be OBJ
served that the basis Of the affair is revolutionary
movement against Venezuela, and of course. such
movement ts an internal affair of Venezuela with
which Colombia has no concern Altogether the
messages seem TO be reassuring the fact that
no actual war in the accepted by interna-
uonal authorities exists is probable
Il am perfectly sure that In the revolutions in
venezuela there is not Colombian. | am
well informed that the Colombian authorities on
the frontier have made the efforts 10 pre-
vent Colombian territory from being made the
Dase for revolutionary movements into Venezuela"