The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-16

tect the Isthmus of Panama from the
Colombian Liberals who are now in q
state of insurrection against the Gov
eminent of Dictator Marroquin. and
then intervene between Colombia and
Venezuela on some pretext. it is as well
that the American people should know
something of current conditions in the
two countries.
1t would be a mistake to suppose that
there is any serious enmity between the
people of Colombia and those of Vene-
zuela. The combined population of
both is divided into Liberal and Clerical
factions, each of which is now a bel
ligerent force without reference to
boundary lines. According to a native
Colombian political authority who is in
touch with the situation, there is little
likelihood of formal war between the
States as States. The Colombian and
Venezuelan Clericals. largely assisted
by means furnished from a foreign
country, some time ago organized a
joint movement for the overthrow of
the Liberal Government of Venezuela
The invasion of that country is the out
come. On the other hand. the Vene-
Zuelan and Colombian Liberals pre-
pared to meet the invaders on the Dor
der, and, as il is reported, under Gem
eral Tribe Tribe, did meet and defeat
them with slaughter. As far as can be
judged from reports received in the
United States the tide of battle has
turned SO greatly against the reaction
aries that the downfall Of the Bogota
tyranny and the erection of a constitu-
tional Government in its place are i'm
ninent. unless the Washington Admin
istration should interfere to keep the
dictator Marroquin and his party in
power. Senior Raul Perez, a Colombian
Liberal exile, now resident in New
York, has given to the press an inter
esting statement respecting the trou-
bles in his and the neighboring country
which is worthy of attention. In it lie
says:
The newspaper advices and information with
regard TO the revolutions in Colombia and Yong
zueia are so full OF conflicting reports and show
such an absolute ignorance not only of the poll
teal conditions. but even OF the geographical
locations, that consider it indispensable 10
give thorough and accurate explanation Of the
state of affairs.
In the three countries of Colombia, Venezuela.
ana tEOaoof-NniCh formed the Great
Colombia-two parties from the well de-
lined and bitterly opposed tendencies existing
there at the close OF the war Of INDEPENDENCE
The first the liberal, progressive republican
ideal OF government, copied after the model of
the United States Of America; and the second
was the theoeTatic. despotic oppressive inquisi-
toFlal form Of government, copied after the Span
ish model
Though independence from Spain had been
obtained after seventeen years of hard fighting
true freedom was stiil very far from the inh4bi-
tants OF those regions for the Clerical or Jesitic
or Spanish party had strong hold on the ignor-
ant masses. Hence the several revolutions which
have ensued- There is not So much reason 10
be scandalized at all: all countries where only
one religion is prominent have undergone SINH
lar troubles, called religious wars and Spain
is having that trouble Just now Until
1854 notwithstanding the violence OF the parties
Colombia had enjoyed a republican form of gov
eminent Both parties respected the constitu-
uon OF the country when in power, and the
conservative party itself Kept within the limits
Of strict republioanisn.
But in lss2 a was elected President of
Colombia, and after he had served his period
OF two years b" decided, in 1854. TO become die
tz;oT for life In order to materialize his plans
he called the Clericals TO support him promis- |
lng to place them IN power should they stand by l
him Internationally. This dictator, Nuncz de- |
elared that the constitution did not exist any |
more, and nom that day there has been moth |
ing IL Colombia but the most autOcratic and /
tyrznnical government in the whole world.
The Liberals protested. took arms, and fled |
ton and the republican principles. Then came
the ill-advised Intervention OF the United States
that helped Nunez TO obtain the victory, and |
aimee then the CleTiCals have governed the corn-
Try at their wont, have brought il to complete
ruin, and their scandals, their assaults on the
public and on private treasures, their crimes of |
an sinds-lnciuding Aunez's pcisoniag-would nil
volumes, and would not be believed If there
were not 50 many witnesses and victims to tes-
tity TO the veracity of modes Of governing a
country which surpass in atrocity the known \
10 the Middle Ages.
Now the entreaty that the unhappy Colo,n-
bian Liberals, who have los; home property fam
lily. and rights have TO make to the people and
TO the Government Of the United States is that
before sending feet TO protect once more the
present Government they investigate thoroughly
the whole case
We think that this appeal to the pub
lie sentiment Of the great Republic
should not go unheard or unheeded.
That it will make any impression upon
our authorities is hardly to be expect
ed. They are in a position to fall back
upon their duty under the treaty of
1916, to preserve order on the isthmus.
though in doing so ii must be seen that
they would assume a paradoxical at
utude. The Administration has all
along held with its friends in the Brit
ish Foreign Office that the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty has been in full force
and effect from its PRONUNCIATION. and
still is; also that the British contention
that the fraudulent secret article |
agreed TO between the negotiators
without notice to the Senate. is binding
upon us-is sound. We assert the con-
trary. but. admitting for argument |
sake that the old and Infamous con-
vention is still operative, it concluded
the United States from further obser-
vance of its treaty with Colombia in re-
spect of the isthmus when Ii nominal
ly went into effect In 1850 II we were
bound by its terms not TO occupy or ex-
ercise sovereignty or establish a pro-
tectorate over any part of Central
America, then 1t would seem that in ac-
cepting such restrictions upon our free
dom Of action within the territory
named we sbrogated our right to oc- .
cupy or police with armed force the
Isthmrs Of Panama, or to guarantee
the sovereignty OF the State of New
Granada. and its successor, Colombia.
In that region.
a little inconsistency, however, is not ,
likely to affect the action of the present | ,
Constitutions and ,
treaties are well enough In their way. ,