Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1901-09-10
THAT BLooDLEss REVOLUTION.
The Complicated Political Situation in
South America.

The northern end of South America is
in the midst of one of those political up
heavals without which life in that region
would seem unnatural. Thus far it has
been a bloodless revolution, but the dan
ger of wars ravages was sufhclently
threatening to cause various governments,
including the United States, to send the
warships thther for the protection of
their interests on the isthmus Of Panama
and in Colombia and Venezuela.
1t is now two years since the Liberals
of Colombia rose in open rebellion against
the Conservative government and ever
since there has been more or less raldins
and robbing. An effort was made TO
capture Panama about a year ago and
nearly succeeded. The rebels, who have
arms and ammunition, are securely en-
trenched in the mountain Businesses and
one man who has visited them declares
that one camp Of 1000 men is so secure
in it's position that 100 times their num-
Der could not dislodge them.
A peculiar political situation has re-
suited from this rebellion, which Involves
several South American countries. The
rebels of Colombia have the open sup
port of President Cipriano Castro and
the Liberal government of Venezuela, and
in the event of war Venezuelan troops
would undoubtedly aid the Colombian
rebels. The Liberals of Colombia are
also receiving moral support from their
fellow partisans in Ecuador and Nicara-
qua, where Liberal governments are n
power. COlombia's Conservative govern
ment is not popular with the governments
of the countries mentioned, but IS popu-
lar with the revolutionary elements in
the same countries. The situation can be
likeued to a disrupted federation, cOmpOs
ed of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia and
Nicaragua, in which Liberal and Con
sentative parties are helping each other
and intriguing together. Being among
separate nations, however, the political
and armed intrigueS threaten information
al trouble. 1t is reported that the Con
sentative revolt in Venezuela against
President Castro is receiving actual sup
port from the Colombian Conservatives.
Nicaragua's threatened revolution will
probably be similarly aided on the occa-
sion arising. These conditions give
ground for the report of actual or threat
ened international complications. and the
talk of federation or consolidation of
some or all of the countries mentioned
as Gran Colombia"
Castro is a man with a history. SO
exciting and so romantic has been his
life that it wOcld furnish abundant mate
rial for dozen novels of the blood
curdling type. Castro is nalf-breed.
according to a gentleman connected with
the Venezuelan legation. When young
he was an inn keeper on the Venezuelan
Colombian frontier. At this time he mar
ried q Colombian woman of the lower
caste. whose chief and only qualification
was that she was a good cook. Love of
strife and politics caused Castro to join
the army. As soldier he was dashing
fearless; as an officer he was strategic,
careful and fearless. His promotion was
rapid and every year brought him more
friends in the civil life of Venezuela and
a larger following in the army.
The ambition to become President of
Venezuela was Castro's sole master. Two
years ago he conspired against President
Andrade and soon accomplished his over
throw. Success seemed TO have turned
his head. As a soldier he was beloved by
the people. but as President, Castro is
another man. Andrade's friends in Ven
eZueIa are now cOnSpiring for Castro-s
overthrow. His ambition is now to be-
come dictator of Venezuela, Ecuador and
Nicaragua. To accomplish this end and
10 unite the political factions in Ven
ezuela. Castro's plan is to bring on war
with a foreign State, probably Colombia,
and while war has not been declared the
Colombian rebels under Gen. Tribe Tribe
are receiving support both Of money and
men from Castro.