Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-09-27
STILL DANCER OF WAR.
Colombia and Venezuela Have Troops
Massed on Frontier.

-SaTdCdS, SeNeZueld, sept 20, Via
Willemstad. Island of Curacao, Sept 81.
The correspondent here of the Asso-
ciated PreA in conversation today with
Q cabinet minister, who requested that
nis name be withheld. discussed the
present situation and was informed au-
sthortatively for publication that Vene-
zue1a had no intention whatever of taxi
ing aggressive measures against the
lsthmus or OF interfering there in any
way, especially as the United States is
so directly interested.
"Venezuela's differences" added the
correspondents informant. "are entirely
With the Colombian liberals and the CO.
lumbar government and in no way
with the Colombian people generally. If
the Colombian liberals We're to triumph
tomorrow and the conservatives to fall
in consequence, the Venezuelan Colom-
bian imbroglio would Immediately cease
to exist. The Venezuelan government
earnestly desires the downfall of the
present Colombian government, which
menaces Venezuela. If war comes, one
decisive Venezuelan victory on the from
tier over the Colombian regulars proba-
bly, will effect the downfall OF this gov
ernment and so terminate the war;
President Castro absolutely does not
consider the organization of grand
Colombian republic, composed of Colom-
bia, Venezuela and Ecuador. This ex-
pertinent was tried under BOLIVIA. and
failed. General Tribe Tribe, by his re-
cent decree. is also responsible for this
idea, which is credited to President
Castro and which the latter repudiates
Venezuela and Colombia could never
live under the same government. Pres
ident Castro knows too much to make
the experiment.
..As to the actions of our gunboats be-
fore La Hacha during the past month,
we were only watching the Colombians'
movements. We have not once purpose
ly crossed the Colombian frontier. Pos
sibly during the recent engagement at
Guajuria our soldiers in advertantly
passed the indefinite mountainous
boundary, but that is all, while Colon
bia has continually crossed our frontier.
A fortnight ago the Colombian generals,
Valencia and Verti, and the Venezuelan
general. Rangel Carabus. decided to in
wade Venezuela from Cucutota. We are
still awaiting the invasion.
Eleven thousand Venezuelan and 81
600 Colombian troops are drawn up on
the frontier awaiting orders. Some un-
expected incident may start bloody
|conflict. When the Colombians invaded
at San Cristobal in July we requested
Senior Rico then and there to explain
his country's action. He said he must
first communicate with Bogota. The
minister then proceeded to Colombia,
and we are yet waiting Colombia's ex-
planation of this invasion. Until this
comes or Colombia fails to respond
Venezuela will not take aggressive ac-
ton. Meantime if Colombia again as
sumes the aggressive, we shall retaliate
when in readiness.
"The offer of the United States to
mediate in the matter was expressed to
us verbally by the American minister
Venezuela could not accept the Offer
because our request to Senior Rico for
nm explanation has not been received,
and matters between the two countries
have not reached a condition where
mediation is possible. No state of wal
exists. The government at Caracas is
still without reliable news regarding
| the conditions at La Hacha.'