New-York tribune., 1901-09-12
GATHERING FOR BATTLE.
MOVEMENTS OF VENEZUELAN AND CO.
LOMBIAN EXPEDITIONS TO
RIO HACHA.

willemstad Island of Curacao, Sept 1l-The
French cruiser Suchet. which left Savaniila'
near Bsrranquilla. September ., arrived
here Yesterday On her way here she stopped
at La Hacha situated in Colombia, on the
west side Of the Guajira peninsula. about
ore hundred miles northwest of Maracaibo.
The Suchet brings a report that the steamer
Alexandra BiXio landed a thousand Colombian
troops from Barranquilla and Cartagena at La
Hacha on September g. The Venezuelan gum
beats Zumbador and Miranda and two others
were off La Hacha. They were visible from the
town. the Inhabitants of which daily expected
Venezuelan troops TO be landed at or near La
Hacha- The Colombian troops there were
awaiting an attack. Within the last week the
Colombians at La Hacha received considera bic
reinforcements.
The Colombian gunboat General Pinzon was
seen on September o off La Hacha. but inn
nedlately upon the arrival of the four Venez-
uelan gunboats the Pinzon put about and
steamed away The officers of the Suchet be-
lieve that lighting is likely to occur at La
Hacha-
The French steamer Versailles and the Ger
man steamer Ascania both at SaVa-
niIla on September 3. Their captains We're ap-
preached by the Colombian authorities with
q proposition to transport seven hundred troops
TO La Racha The Versailles asked for Soooo
gold and the Ascania wanted $4,000 gold. which
the Colonbans were unable to pay for the
transportation, which not effected. But 1t
is evident that the Alexandra Bxio later con-
yeyed the troops.
About September the Pinzon took 450 Co
lonbian troops from Porto Colombia to La
Hacha-
The cable between Maracaibo and Curacoa is
broken. Maracaibo communicates with Caracas
only over the government telegraph line. which
the public cannot use. Nevertheless 1t is learned
that an expedition composed of one thousand
Venezuelan troops, under Davila, the Venezuelan
leader. which left Porto Cabello three weeks
ago bound for Maracaibo, left Maracaioo on
September on three schooners towed by a small
steamer. their destination being unknown, has
arrived its objective point, and is reported 10
have safely landed on the Colombian coast al
a spot a few miles northeast OF La Hacha' ano
that q second expedition. under the leadership
of q Colombian named Castillo, composed OF
Colombian Liberals and Venezuelan syrnpa-
thizers left Maracaibo overland, bound for La
Hacha Its present whereabouts and expected
destination are unknown, but sufficient time mas
elapsed since its departure to bring the eXpedi-
tion near La Hacha. The Davia and CaStllo
expeditions together number about l,5oU troops,
10 which should be added about 900 Colombian
Liberals, more or less wen armed, conSresdleu
. about the frontier.
\ If NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. engagement occurs
in the vicinity OF La Hacha, and the Nenez-
uelans are successful II Will give the latter dc-
cess to a stretch Of Colombian territory In Santa
Marthe Province wholly Liberal in sympathy
and therefore faVoring the Venezuelan Liberals
and will permit the Venezuelans to approach the
Colombians at San CristObal and Cucuta, from
tier points from the rear. Should the Venez-
uelans succeed AT La Hacha il is believed that
their numbers will be largely increased by Co
lombian Liberals
Venezuela has established a temporary naval
base at San Carlos. not far from the entrance TO
Naracaibo harbor where the government has
stored provisions arms and about eight hundred
tons of coal.
The only communications between La Hacha,
Naracaibo and Curacao are by. courier between
La Hacha and Maracaibo.