The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-03
SOLEMN PROTEST
Venezuela Makes Proclamation
to All the World
That Her Territory Has Been
Invaded Without Cause.
COLOMBIAN TROOPS
Under Command of Venezuelan
ReYOlutionists
Have Crossed the Border With
out Any Interference.

New York. Sept. "A special to the
Herald from Washington says:
Venezuelass official memorandum Civ
ing her explanation of her present trou-
bles with Colombia, which is addressed
to all friendly nations. has reached this
country by the Red Star steamer PhiIa-
delphia from LaGuayra, the seaport Of
/ Caracas.
The memorandum is signed by Ed
uardo Blanco, the minister of foreign
affairs, and is dated August 1s. It has
just been published in the Official Gaz-
cite in Caracas and is in part as fol-
lows:
The government of the republic con-
siders it indispensable to lay before
friendly nations an exposition of the
abnormal situation created by the
events which have occurred in one of
the states Of Venezuela which adjoins
Colombia, and as an enlightened power,
to explain to them the unforeseen cir
cumstances which have against
their wish, made it necessary
to partly suspend the rights
guaranteed by the constitution and to
still maintain warike attitude, which
is rendered obligatory for the mainten-
ance of public order and for the uphold
ing of the national honor
1T is we'll known that when in adj
joining regions, such as those of the
Venezuelan state Of Tachira and the
Colombian department Of Santander
there exists political nuclei which he
spectively strive to attain direct ef-
fective or ascendant supremacy within
their proper local sphere, the natural ir-
radiations of the struggle give rise to
acts which may unexpectedly extend
even beyond the limits intended and
produce unforeseen results.
irl a fNff I1nt ifr11-1y Col
ombian troops, with a Venezuelan rev.
olutiOnist at their head, came as a do1-
bic surprise to the government because
apart from there being no material in
dication whatsoever which could have
caused it to be expected, the very cir
cumstances in which the republic found
itself and the favorable state Of rela-
tiOnS with the neighboring country rem
dered it impossible to foresee, not only
any such extraordinary acts. but even
any movement emanating solely from
exiled VenezuelanS-
''On July % the executive addressed a
note to the Colombian legation in which
they called the attention of the minis
ter to the serious fact that the forces
which had crossed the frontier were or
ganized military troops, and that this
constituted a breach of the most ele-
mentary principles of international law
and at the same time protested against
the completely in this act which could
be attributed to the chiefs of that army
who were subject. as it was natural to
believe, to the government Of the neigh
boring republic.
The minister of Colombia, in reply to
the protest by the government, mani
tested surprise at the news of the in
vasion, and pretended that the fact
could only have been accomplished con
trary to the definite orders given to all
civil and military employees on the Co
Iombian frontier.
This manner of treatment forced the
chief executive to see the necessity of
oh 7fr11
cutting off the means of future inter-
course should the superior powers of
the neighboring republic prove not to
have participated in the aggression,
would nevertheless be in accordance
with the requirements and exigencies
of the national honor and integrity.
with this intent the legation was
told on July % that as its answer far
from solving, even in part, any one
of the very grave points raised in the
note of the Venezuelan minister for
foreign affairs, was restricted to con-
sideratiOns of a general nature and to
a promise to transmit the protest to the
government of Colombia by the first op-
pOrtunlty, the executive power was of
opinion that until the answer should
arrive and be communicated by his ex-
cellency for the purpose of explaining
the situation of things, they felt it adj
visable during such time of waiting to
suspend relations with the Colon bian
legation this course being indicated by
considera tions of its own honor and
that of the country.
Such was the stage st which reIa-
tions with the representative of Colon
bia had to remain at that date and
such was their aspect until the 9Th in
stant, since he has not transmitted
any explanation of the facts. even after
the details of the invasion had become
known.
These demonstrated not only to the
government but to the public that an
evident violation of Venezuelan terri
tory by battalions belonging to the
regular army of Colombia. commanded
by their own officers. had taken place,
q nd that not even the least change IN
the appearance, discipline or formation
Of these troops could be observed
I'm such state of things TIE Colou-
bian minister resolved to embark for
his country as he, as a natter of fact
did, on the 18th day of the present
month without the least opposition on
the part of the Venezuelan government. /
Until the moment arrives for defirin~
the attitude which this republic shou d
assume for safeguarding her govern
rnent, it solenniy protests before TIE
civilized nations of the srorld against
the invasion of any portion of the
national territory by military forces
belonging to the regular army of Col
ombia and against the acts committed
by them"
TIME FOR ACTION
Caracas, Venezuela. Sept, 3. via Hay
tien cable-The Republica. seTni-officiaI
organ of the government published to-
day an inspired article ending as fol-
lows:
.sThe hour for notes has passed and
the time for action has arrived Diplo-
macy has laid before the world the just
reasons which it has had and has for
is has suffered. It has had all the means
al its disposal for settling threatening