The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-27
THE WAR DRACS ON
COLOMBIAN REBELLION HAS NOW
BEEN IN PROGRESS FOR
TWO YEARS
REBELS ARE GAINING GROUND
Belief Is Prevalent That the Lib
erals VIII Eventually Succeed
in Overthroyving the Con-
servative Government

COLON, Colombia, Aug PA report
is circulated here to the effect that the
rebels now threatening the town of Roca
Del Zorro, hail from BluefeIds. Nicara-
qua.
The United States gunboat Machias an
chored today in Colon harbor.
The censorship prevents the transmits
sion of political news, or news unfavora-
bic to the government.
The revolt of the Liberal Colombian
rebels, now two years Old lately assumed
moro serious aspect by the Liberals
concentration on the isthmus. 1t is be-
Iieved they are contemplating aggressive
action. Consequently uneasiness prevails
at Panama, the Liberal objective which
was nearly captured a year ago. 1t is
not believed the rebels will modest the
railroad or interrupt traffic The recent
rebel raids along the railroad amounted
to bloodless raiding and the robbery of
Chinese stOrekeepers.
There is a report that the government
is bringing troops to protect the isthmus
This will be difficult, without exposing
to rebel attacks the points whence they
are taken. The@area of the revolt is ex-
tensive.
WIDESPREAD INTRIGUE.
noticeable, distinguishing feature of
the revolution is the extent of moral sup
port the Liberals are receiving from
Venezuela, Ecuador and Nicaragua. in
which countries Liberal governments
prevail. Colombia conservative govern
ment is not popular with the govern
ments of the countries mentioned but is
popular with the revolutionary elements
in the same countries The situation
can be likened to a disrupted federation.
composed of Venezuela, Ecuador, Colom-
bia and Nicaragua, in which Liberal and
conservative partisans are helping each
otner and intriguing together But be-
ing separate nations, the political and
armed lntriSues threaten international
trouble. 1t is reported that the con-
servative revolt in Venezuela against
PRESIDENT castro is reaching actual sup
port from the Colombian conservatives.
Nfcaragua's threatened revolution prob
ably will be similarly aided on the oc-
casion requiring. The conditions give
ground for Threatened international com
plicatiOns between the countries in
which the Liberals are generally opposed
to Colombian Conservative administra-
ton, whose downfall is accompanied bv
talk of federation or union of the coun-
tries mentioned, under the idea of
Grand Colombia" The Colombian gov
eminent is in straits financially.
WORTHLESS PAPER MONEY
At present forty Colombian paper dol
lars are equivalent in value to one gold
dollar. The government is printing paper
money Unfortunately 1t has lately es-
tablshed heavy export ou,.es. payable
IN gold, and has sold monopolies and
privileges of all kinds, all of which mas
greatly injured commerce.
The conditions in the interior are had
The government is well supplied with
ammunition and this week unsuccessfully
tried to become possessed of consign-
ments of the same to Ecuador and NC
aragua.
The rebels on the isthmds are hampered
by a lack of arms and ammunition and
are reported to be awaiting the arrival
OF shipments and the presence in the field
OF certain leaders before commencing
activities on the isthumus Gen. Alban.
governor Of Panama, who was recently
granted extraordinary military powers
is absent at Savilla He is supposed to he
bringing troops for the protection of the
lsthmus. He lately invited a number of
friends at Panama to his house, put a
guard at the door and forced his guests
to contribute to the government literally
before releasing them. A Colombian hog
monopoly is being forced to contribute
literally to the payment of the soldiers
and police Of the isthmus.
REBELS MAY WIN.
The liberal revolutionary movement
in Colombia is well supported throughout
the country, and it is generally believed
That It will eventually succeed If the
liberals could win without too nuch
Dloodshed the foreigners on the isthmus
would welcome their administration Some
decisive turn in the present state of af-
fairs is wanted, being preferable to
the present perturbations, but there is
nothing to show that the liberals would
10 b..
present administration
The government has about 400 soldiers
on the iSthmus, While the whole army
amounts to from % 900 to s., coo men. Tie
Namouna, once called the Gen. Pinson
is useless because she lacks a crew. The
natives seem incapable of handling her
and lack Of proper care is likely to rem
der the vessel permanently useless. II is
understood that the government is try
ing to get American officers for the Ma
mouna
The loss of the gunboat La Popa. the
remainder of whose crew is now reported
safe, was a blow to the government.
which now has only two gunboats on the
Atlantic and three on the Pacific
COMMERCE FRUSTRATED
Interior communication, traffic and
transportation are bad, especially be-
tween the isthmus and the rest of the
country.
Commerce on the Magdalen continues
at standstiu. The government is occa-
sionally running armored steamers con-
Meeting with Bogota but the river traffic
IS subjected to rebel Interference
The isthmus district of Colombia is
practically distinct from the other parts
OF the country canal and railroad trea-
ties making Colon and Panama almost
free ports.
Gen. Adams absence causes uneasiness
in government circles. His powers give
him unrestricted sway over the isthrnus.
and the lack of communication with Be-
gotta. the capital, renders him more in
dependent of the government The ar
rival of American wdrships is expected.
| The impression prevails locally that in
case of trouble on the isthmus the United
States will actively interfere.
The governments decree, dated July 10.
cabled today, revives the talk Of the pos
sibility of forced loan from the for
eigners in Colombia. The decree shows
! the governments severe financial ex-
tremity.
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