The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-03

henczuei0 to the Nations.
The address of the Venezuelan Ex-
ecutive to all friendly nations. narrat-
ing in calm and dignified manner the
aggressions the republic has suffered
at the hands Of the Colombian dictator,
Marroquin. and explaining the neces-
sity for placing the country IN a con
ditiOn of armed defence. Will have the
effect here and abroad of dispelling in
the public mind certain misconceptions
regarding the real state OF affairs in
Venezuela and Colombia-misconcep
tons which have been shTeWdly pro-
NOTED with the purpose Of injuring
President Castro and the constitutional
Government at Caracas. and Of Great
ing a popular opinion in this country
favorable to the cause Of the Venezue-
Ian plotter. Asphalt Andrade
The address shows that President
Castro has been remarkably conserva-
tive and patient in his treatment Of CO.
lombia. and in circumstances Of great
provoCatiOn. In most countries an in
vasion by the regular forces of an ad
joining State. and the general pillage
by them Of cis-frontier farms and vii
lagos. would be the signal for instant
war. The July invasion Of Venezuela
by Venezuelan Andradists. supported
by twenty-five. battaIions of regular
Colombian troops under a Colombian
general officer, was clearly not alone
casus belli but war in itself Nalen-
cia's officers and men. in the distinctive
uniform Of their service and carrying
the Colombian flag. not only advanced
into the Venezuelan state Of Tachira,
but looted burned. and murdered as
they went They were turned back
routed. and fed for protection over the
Colombian boru.r after five hundred #
them had been made to bite the dust
by the Venezuelan frontier defence col
umn. Yet in spite Of this amazing act
OF perfdy committed by MarroqUin
against Il ncighboring republic with
which he pretended at the time 10 be
on friendly terms. President Castro
was slow 10 anger. and did not reply
to war with war. He allowed the mat
ter TO remain open, in case the Govern
ment Of the dictator at BogOta should
be able and willing 10 show that the
officers Of the invading force Of Colon
bian regulars had acted without or con
trary TO their orders.
Accordingly. on July p. the Venezue-
Ian Executive addressed a note to the
Colombian Legation at Caracas. call
ing attention TO the serious fact that
the forces which had crossed the from
tier were organized troops. and that
this constituted a breach Of the most
elementary principles Of international
law" and protesting against the com
plicity in this act Of military chiefs
who were subject. as it was Natural to
believe tC the Government Of Colon
bia. The Colombian Minister only con
scented to receive this note and protest
ad referendum promised 10 forward it
u BoGota. and there the matter has
rested ever since.
Mr.. Ceorge Macdonald. an American
who has large interests in Venezuela,
and who has resided in the republic for
eleven years, reached New York yes
terday. To a reporter he stated that
there is no revolution in Venezuela at
present. nor viii President Castro al
low an opportunity for one" He added.
BN prompt dtlltn III llldESliAE AliOlS
on the Colombian frontier DR. RangeI
Gabirez and his followers were signally
defeated I was at Maracaibo at the
time. and know that five hundred Of
the invaders were killed" Mr.. Mac
Donald declares that American inter
ests are in no jeopardy whatever in
Venezuela, that Mr.. Bowen, our new
Minister TO the country, has been en-
| Enthusiastically received, and that Presi-
dent Castro has the most kindly feel
ing for Americans.
The situation i'm Colombia is more
encouraging than at any previous time
for two years. All reports agree that
the constitutional party, which COM
prises two-thirds Of the inhabitants IS
making Roadway throughout the cOUn-
try. and that the overthrow Of Mario
quin's dictatorship is a matter Of a
few weeks. or perhaps days. With mu-
| nicipaI peace in Venezuela, and the Bo-
gotta despOt on his last legs, a brighter
day seems about to dawn for the
! friends Of liberty and republican gov
eminent in two Of the most important
States Of northern South America.