The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-09
Colombia without Monetary Re-
sources and Beset with Enemies.

COLON, Sept. 6, via Kingston, Sept. s.
Colombia's financial straits are extreme
and she is pushed to the last point to OBJ
tain funds. The Colombian paper peso
(par value 1875 cents) is now worth less
than cents, and gold continues to appre-
ciate. Seventy or SO per cent. of the people
of the country sympathize with the revOlu-
ton and are opposed to the present govern
ment largely, il is asserted, on account of
the governments exaction of taxes and i'm
posts and other vexatious efforts to raise
money. This financial distress, coupled
with the extent of the revolution, which
momentarily becomes more threatening
this being especially the case in the Vene-
zuelan entanglement-it is asserted, con-
stitutes the strongest reason why Colombia
cannot go to war with Venezuela with any
The future contains no promise of fnan-
cial betterment and the people become
daily more burdened. Forced loans are
common and their daily recurrence is eX-
pected. In some cases customs receipts
have been Hypothetical months in advance
as security for these loans and in other
cases no security IS given. The continual
ton of such governmental impositions in
creaSes the liberal ranks and prOlongatiOn
of the present situation Will, II is believed
Increase the Liberals chances of success
The government is holding the army,
which il is making strenuous efforts TO pay,
and which. with the O1cldl employees,
seems strong enough 10 prolong the present
situation. but unable to deal the reVolu-
ton a crushing. effective blow. Time will
strengthen the rebels position throughout
the country. but in the isthmus district
they notably lack leaders. The government
to-day owes the 1.50O troops on the 18th
mus $500 in gold in back pay. 1t is ex-
pected that the return To the isthmus of
General Alban. commander-in-chief of the
Colombian forces. Will be attended with
stringent measures and forced loans in or
der TO raise money TO pay these troops
Although the governments financial ex-
tremity Is asserted 10 be continually in
creasing. IL has not yet been authentically
reported that the government has molested
foreigners or attempted 10 effect forced
loans from foreigners. Many foreigners
however. believe the probability of such oc-
currence TO be approaching. especially since
The going into effect of the decree of July
is. which gives To minor officials full power
co take any measure they may consider
necessary TO crush the rebellion and pre-
serve the dignity of the country.
Reports are again in circulation that
the Liberals are concentrating AT Correra.
the Pacific coast. fifteen miles north of
Panama. Similar reports have been current
cor weeks past.
Minor Colombian officials unite i'm blam-
ing Venezuela for whatever conditions ex-
st upon the frontier.
If the Liberals come into power they will
Z is believed. find the country bankrupted
ion There is nothing To show conclu-
sively that the Liberals any better ad-
ninistrators than the present Conservative
government. All Colombian export and i'm
port duties payable in gold or local
paper on a gold valuation.