New-York tribune., 1901-09-26
STATES TENEZUELA'S CASE.
DENIAL THAT PRESIDENT CASTRO con-
TEMPLATES A GRAN COLON
BIA" REPUBLIC

Caracas, Sept. 23 (via Willemstad. Island of
Curacao, Sept. 25).-The correspondent here of
The Associated Press, in conversation to-day
with a Cabinet Mnste- who requested that his
name be withheld. discussed the present situa-
ton, and was informed authoritatively for pub
lication, that Venezuala's case follows:
Venezuela had no intention whatever of TAX
ing aggressive measures against the isthmus
or to interfere there in any way especially as
the United States is so directly interested
''Venezuela's differences" added the corre-
spondent's informant, ARE entirely with the
Colombian Liberals and the Colombian Govern
ment. and in way with the Colombia people
generally. If the Colombian Liberals triumphed
to- morrow and the Conservative government
fell in consequence. the Fenazuelan-C Colombian
irnbroglio would Immediately cease to exist The
Venezuelan Government earnestly desires the
downfall Of the present Colombian Government,
which nenaces Venezuela. If comes, one
decisive Venezuelan victory on the frontier
over the Colombian regulars will probably effect
the downfall of this government and ter
inmate the
President Castro absolutely does not consider
the organization of Gran Colombia Republic.
composed of Colombia. Venezuela and Ecuador.
This experiment tried under Bolivar and
failed. General Urbe-Uripe, by his recent de-
cree, Is alone responsible for this idea which Is
credited to President Castro and which the lat
ter repudiates Venezuela and Colombia could
never live under the government Presi-
dent Castro knows too much to make the expert
ment.
"As to the actions of our gunboats before
Rio Hacha during the last month, were only
watching Coombia's movements. We have not
once purposely crossed the Colombian frontier.
Possibly. during the recent engagements at
Guajiri, soldiers inadvertently passed the
indefinite mountainous boundaries. But that
is all. while Colombia has continually crossed
our frontier. a fortnight ago the Colombian
Generals Valencia and Vert and the Venezue-
Ian General Rangel Garbiras decided to invade
Venezuela from Cucuta. We still awaiting
the invasion. Eleven thousand Venezuelan
troops and about eight thousand Colombian
troops are drawn up ir two facing lines along
the frontier. awaiting orders Some trivial in
cident or unexpected shot may start a bloody
conflict
When the CoIombians invaded Venezuela at
San Cristobal. in July. We asked the Colombian
Minister. Sefior Rico, who was then here, to ex
plain his country's action. Sehor Rico said
he must first communicate with Bogota The
minister therefore proceeded to Colombia, and
Venezuela is still awaiting Colombia's explana-
ton of the San Crstopal invasion. Until this
comes. or Colombia fails to respond, Venezuela
will not take aggressive action. If, in the mean
time, Colombia again assumes the aggressive,
we shall retalate when in readiness.
The offer of the United States to mediate
in the matter expressed to verbally by
the American Minister. Venezuela could not
accept the offer, because the answer to
quest Sehor Rico for explanation of the
invasion has not yet been received. Conse
quently matters between the two countries have
not reached condition when mediation is pos
sible Further, state of war has existed. The
government at Caracas is still without trust
worthy regarding the occurrences at Rio
Hacha."