The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-03
Relations of Venezuela and Colombia
Are Strained and Revolution Is
Brewing in Costa Rica.
PANAMA RAILWAY IN DANGER
AND THE UNITED STATES MAY BE
FORCED TO INTERVENE.
Bound by Treaty to Keep Traffic
Across the lsthmus Open TO
the Commercial World.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1.-THE political
situation in the ~neighboring republics of
Venezuela and Colombia, in South America,
and the possibility of war between these
two States is attracting considerable at
tention in diplomatic circles. Should war
actually result the authorities in each
country would not only have to deal with
their foreign enemies, but also with their
domestic foes. as each of the countries
now has what practically amounts to a
civil war on it's hands. Neither the Co
Dmbian nor the Venezuelan legation here
has much direct information. and the cable
reports are exceedingly conflicting. The Of
ficials at the Colombian legation are at
a loss TO understand the report of Presi-
dent Castro's declarations of martial law
on the ground that his country is being
invaded by Colombia. The revolution,
headed by DR.. Galviras, who crossed the
Venezuelan border from Colombia, where
he had taken refuge. is said to be in no
sense an invasion by Colombians. DR.. Gal
vIras belonged TO the party of Andrade,
who was overthrown by Castro, and it is
stated in diplomatic circles that he is
simply heading a rebellion of Venezuelans
against the latter's authority.
No definite information has been re-
ceived here regarding the whereabouts OF
General U~ribe-Uribe, who, in his turn. is
heading a movement against the present
government in Colombia from the Vene-
zuelan side. The last news of his where
abOutS was that he was at Maracaibo.
and had not yet crossed into Colombia.
where II was supposed he would attempt
to effect a Juncture with Marin. a noted
guerrilla, who is still carrying on a YES
tige OF the last revolution in the noun
talns OF the central range OF the Andes.
AT the Colombian legation here the move
menI headed by General Uribe-Uribe is not
regarded at all serious thus TAR. A re-
port received here on July % last gave
news OF a projected simultaneous invasion
OF Colombia from Venezuela, Ecuador and
Nicaragua. Nothing has been heard OF the
movement since then.
a cablegram has been received at the
state department from the United States
consul AT Colon stating that il the pres
ent revolutionary troubles ia that section
become more aggravated the traffic across
the lSIhmus Will surely become interrupt
ed. IN United States government is bound
by treaty TO keep this traffic open 10 the
world. No request for a warship TO be sent
10 the seat OF trouble has been made.
Mail advlces received at San Juan. Porto
HtlcO, from Venezuela and Colombia say
the censored cablegrams which the Nenezu-
elan government allows press correspond
ents to forward from Caracas are inaccu-
rate. President Castro's army, it is added,
does not exceed " soldiers. General
Uribe-Uribe is reported to be a months
march from Bogota. the capital Of Colom-
bia. with less than 5000 men. Battles are
said TO be imminent. The Venezuelan revo-
lutiOnists are at San Cristobal. and the
Colombian revOlutionists We're at Cucuta
when the mail advices were forwarded.
a decree. dated Bogota. July <, appoints
General Carlos Alban commander in chief
of the sea and land forces of Colombia in
the provinces of Magdalena, Panama and
Bolivar. in recognition Of his patriotic zeal
in defense of the republics institutions.
Letters received at Kingston. Jamaica,
from business men in Costa Rica report
considerable public dissatisfaction in that
republic with the governments increase of
import duties in consequence of the aboli-
ton of export duties. 1t is feared that IL
the government continues to increase the
duties a revolution will follow. Already
precautions have been taken to protect the
leading government officials. The new taxes
have resulted in a general decrease in
wages.