The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-09-06
OUR GOVERNMENTS NOTICE TO THE
TWO CONTENDING STATES.
HER GRAVE RESPONSIBLE LITIES
Under Treaties to Keep Open Trans
Isthmfan Traffic Pointed Out-whIIe
Friendly to Both Venezuela and CO.
lombia and Willing to Exercise Her
Good Ofhces TO Settle Their Differ
ences, She Must Protect Her Oblissa-
tfonS.
tionS.

Washington, September 3.-It is ascer-
tanned that On August oath during Sec
.retary Hays recent visit to Washing
ton, telegraphic message was sent to
the ministers at Caracas and Bogota,
directing them to inform the foreign
secretaries OF Venezuela and Colombia
of the distress with which the president
had heard of the likelihood of a dis
turbance of tne relations between those
two republics.
Adverting 10 the possibility of the
influence of the United States being ex-
erted to compose the pending questions,
the ministers were directed to say that
while the relations of this government
with both nations are equally intimate
and friendly and every opportunity is
taken to show the good will we bear
them, an offer of the presidents kindly
offices to arrange any differences which
may exist between Colombia and Vene-
Zuela would be ineffective without the
acquiescence of both. Nevertheless, in
spired by the sentiments which are
common to all the governments of the
American republics, the United States
would sincerely deplore breach of the
amicable relations that at this time
happily exist between the sister nations
of the western world and would espe-
cially regret any action by either Of
| them which might menace the security
| of transit acIoss the isthmus or the
neutrality of its territory and thereby
constrain the government of the United
| States to consider it's responsibilities
and functions under existing treaty en-
| gagements with Colombia.
rnvf of II W. fol- I'M hqc c
not been made public. 1t is understood
| that an acknowledgment of its receipt
| has been made by the Venezuelan gov
| ernment but It's purpOrt has not been
| made known, although it is said to be
| friendly in tone and while charging in
| vasion by Colombian forces on the
| Venezuelan border and referring to the
| temporary suspension of diplomatic in
| tercourSe which has occurred the way
| appears to be open for explanations.
| Venezuela has not declared war against
| Colombia.
| No acknowledgement has been re-
| ceived from Rogota, but this is sup
| posed to be due to the reported delays
| in telegraphic communication between
| Bogota and the coast stations.
| Colombia also it is said tonight, ha:
| made response to the note of Secretary
| Hay. While its contents are not OBJ
| tainable, the statement is made tha
| 1t Is III CHdTdCleT anu SA
presses an earnest wish that war with
| Venezuela may be avoided. Such a re-
suit. it is stated, would be cause o
| genuine regret to the people of Colon
| bia. Colombia. it is stated, stand:
| ready to accept the friendly interven
| ton of the United States to avert wal
| and reposes full confidence in the lat
| ter country.
| Caracas, TeneZuela, September s.
| Cvia Haytied cable).-The Republica,
semi-official organ of the government
| published today an inspired article end
| ing as follows:
| 1.-The hour for notes has passed and
| the time for action has arrived. Dip
| lomacy has laid before the world the
| just reasons which it has had and has
| for asking compensation for the griev-
| ance suffered. 1t has exhausted all the
means at it's disposal for settling threat
| ening questions between nation and ma.
| ton. We have waited long enough
| Now is the time for reprisals."