The sun., 1901-08-08

Passenger Train Detained at Mataehan and
/ Government Onlcep Captured Tho
Mashias, Now ~ Boston Navy Yard. to
/ he Got in Readiness a. ssou a. Possible
Appeal h venexueia 10 Act Against
Retsiutienists Tho situation serieus.
WAsHINuroN. Aug. "A number OF
complications have arisen In connection
with the recent disturbances in Venezuela
and Colombia. Very little dsllnite news
has reached the state Department in re-
gard to the situation In these countries,
hut the information received indicates
very strongly the existence Of plans for a
concerted movement by the iis,irrec-
tionists Of both Venezuela and Colombia
The abeence Of any late positive informa-
ton from the United States representatives
| Ia those countries has caused some un-
easiness, and to-day II was decided to send
the gunboat Macl,ias without delay to
Colon for the purpose Of protecting Ameri-
can interests.
The most important news received at the
State Department from Venezuela came
to-day by mail from Minister Russell at
Caracas and explained the situation UP 10
July 20. Minister Russell gives q number
OF important details connected with the
outbreak In Venezuela which the State
Department has not made public He
says that President Castro has issued
proclamation to the people Of Venezuela,
calling on them TO unite with the Govern
ment and the army in suppressing the
treasonabe efforts OF Dr.. Rangel Garviras
The same proclamation announced that
an army Of 10000 men had been ordered to
meet the invaders. The latter, according
to the report. were somewhere on the from
tier between Venezuela and Colombia,
and Minister Russell remarks that as the
invading force said to consist Of 5000
men. was organized in Colombia, complica-
tions with that country are apprehended,
and it In reported that the question Of Civ
ing the Colombian Minister his passports
was aeeitated in the Venezuelan Cabinet
Minister Russell points out that the
that Constitutional guarantees have been
suspended throughout the territory of
the republic and that number OF political
suspects have been arrested. Referring
10 DR.. Garviras, the leader OF the insur-
rection. the letter says that he was Presi-
dent Of the Venezuelan Congress and
OF President Andeuza Palacio.
Besides the disturbing account given
by Minister Russell. the State Depart
ment has also received from Consul GudRer
at Panama despatch saying that a pas
senger train had been detained at Matachin
and several Government officials captured
Consul Gudger's despatch indicates very
clearly that the Colombian revolutionsts
are making good progress, and taken
in connection with a former despatch
from him to the Department to the effect
that he feared transit across the Isthmus
OF Panama would be interrupted, makes
the advisability OF sending war vessel
TO that vicinity to protect American
interests very apparent to the State De-
partment officials
According to the treaty between the
United States and Colombia. the latter
country guarantees to the United States
10 keep open the traffic across the isthmus,
ard In return this Government guarantees
to Colombia the sovereignty OF the territory
and the preservation Of neutrality along
the lines Of transit. The treaty says:
The Government Of New Grenada (Colon,-
bia) guarantees to the Government OF the
the Isthmus Of Panama shall be open and
free to the Government and citizens Of the
United States.
II further provides that:
II The .,,d,n United States guarantee, positively
neutrality OF the isthmus In the view that
the free transit from the one 10 the other
sea NAY not De InserTSPied or embarrassed
II further provides that the United States
shall guarantee the sovereignty Of the
isthmus TO Colombia. Under a proper
Interpretation of the treaty, therefore, it
Is for Colombia to maintain the free transit
and the United States TO assist the Colom-
bian Government in maintaining the SOW
nrQ nj n ha
its neutrality should Columbia be attacked
by any foreign Power. An insurrection
however. OF Colombian citizens against
the Colombian Government could In no
way affect the sovereignty Of the State and
there would be no excuse for interference
by the United States Government u,less
to protect American interests.
The orders TO the Machias direct her to
proceed at once to Hampton Roads and
there await further instructions. II possi-
BILE she will be inspected In Boston before
her departure, but II this cannot be accom-
Roads by Rear Admiral Evans Of the In
spection Board, who left yesterday for Old
Point Comfort.
The Machias IL a gunboat Of third rate
and has been undergoing repairs at the
Boston Navy Yard. She is commanded by
Lieutenant Commander Sargent. formerly
OF the Scorpion, and carries i4l men, be-
sidcs eighteen marines. At the present
time the Machias is the only available
vessel for service in South American waters,
with the exception Of the big warships at
Newport. and the Columbia. now in New
York. Should the necessity arise for send
ing vessel to Panama il would be found |
to be impracticable because the nearest
vessel Of the navy on the Pacific coast is
in the vicinity of Puget Sound. over three
thousand miles from Panama. To send |
a ship from Puget Sound to Panama and |
expect II to arrive there under three or four
weeks is considered by Department Off
cals out Of the question
GEARnTNG CnIOHRTl TRlTNS