The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-12
FOUR VENEZUELAN SHIPS
OFFICERS OF FRENCH CRUISER SAY
THEY ARE AT LA HACHA.
Attack on Colombian Town Expected
DafIy-A1 Quiet at BOcas-Warn-
ing to Liberal Leader.

wILLEMSTAD, Curacao. Sept. 1.-THE
French cruiser Souchet, which left Porto
Colombia. near Barranquilla, on Sept. 5.
arrived here yesterday. On her way here
she stopped at La Hacha. town at the
mouth of the Rio Hacha, Colombia, on the
west side of the Guajira peninsula. about
one hundred miles northwest of Maracaibo.
The Souchet brings a report that the
steamer Alexandra Bixo landed a thousand
Colombian troops from Barranquilla and
Cartagena, at La Hacha. on Sept. 9. The
Venezuelan gunboats Zumbador and Mi
randa and two others were off La Hacha.
They were visible from the town The in
habitants daily expected Venezuelan troops
to be landed at or near La Hacha. The Co
lCmbian troops there were awaiting an at
tack Within the last week the Colomeians
at La Hacha have received considerable re-
Inducements. The Colombian gunboat.
General PinZon, was seen on Sept. y, on
La Hacha, but Immediately upon the ar
rival of the Venezuelan gunboats the Pm
zon put about and steamed away. The Of
ficers OF the Souchet believe nghting is
likely TO occur al La Hacha-
The French steamer Versailles and the
German steamer Ascania were both at
Porto Colombia on Sept. 8. Their captains
were approached by the Colombian au-
thorities with a proposition TO transport
seven hundred troops TO La Hacha the
Ascania wanted $4,000 gold, which the Co
lombians were unable 10 pay, for the trans
portation. which was not effected. IL Is
evident, however, that the Alexandra Bixo
later conveyed the troops
About Sept 1 the Pinzon took $50 Colon
bian troops from Porto Colombia to La
Haoha. The cable between Maracaibo and
Curacao is broken. Maracaibo communi-
Gates with Caracas only over the govern
ment telegraph line. which the public can
not use. Nevertheless IL is learned on ex-
cellent authority that an expedition COM
posed of 1000 Venezuelan troops under
Davile. the Venezuelan leader, who left
Maracaibo, and left Maracafbo on Sept. 4
on three schOoners, towed by a small
steamer. their destination being unknown,
has arrived at its objective point and is
reported to have safely landed on the
Colombian coast, few miles northeast OF
La Hacha, and that a second expedition
under the leadership of Colombian named
Castillo. composed of Colombian Liberals
and Venezuelan sympathtZers left Mara
caibo overland. bound for La Hacha. Its
present whereabouts or expected deStina-
ton are unknown, but sufficient time has
elapsed since its departure 10 bring the
expedition near La Hacha.
The Davila and Castillo expeditions to-
gether number about 1.50O troops, to which
should be added about so Colombian Lib
erals. more or less we'll armed. congregated
about the frontier If the Colombian
Venezuelan engagement occurs in the vi
ctnity of La Hacha and the Venezuelans
are successful IL Will give the latter access
10 a stretch of Colombian territory in Santa
Marthe province wholly Liberal in SYM
pathy, and therefore faVOring the Nene-
zuelan Liberals. and permit the Nenezuelans
10 approach the COlOmblans at San CristO-
bal and Couta. frontier points, from the
rear Should the NeneZuelans succeed at
La Hacha il is believed their numbers will
be largely increased by Colombian Liberals.
Venezuela has tablished a temporary
naval base at San Carlos. not far from the
entrance TO Maracaibo harbor where the
government has stored provisions. arms
and about $50 tons OF coal