The age-herald., 1901-08-10
United States Prepares for Protection in Case There
 is Trouble
FOREGOING NEWS RECEIVED
Battleship Wisconsin VIII Be Sent Down to San Dlego-coIonnbia May Be Able to Keep Isth-
 mus Open to Traffic.

Washington. August 9-The situation in Colombia and Venezuela continues to occupy much of the attention of the offi- cials here today. and while 1t was not 1 felt that affairs had reached a serious l aspect. yet it was appreciated that both the official and unoficil advices indicated condition of affairs which might mean war between Colombia and Venezuela complicated by revolutionary outbreaks in both countries.
 Today the state department received communication from Consul Gudger at Panama, and though this was dated near ly month ago, 1t told of the landing of revolutionary expedition and expressed the current belief held at Panama that this would be followed by other expedi- tions.
 The department also received letter from J. Edward Simmons of New York, president of the Panama Railroad Com pany, confirming his communication yes terday relative to the trouble on the Isthmus and stating that the superin- tendent of the road had advised him as to the depredations of an insurgent band which did not number, however, much over fifty men.
 Again Invade Venezuela. The more serious aspect of the matter was Ipesented in the press dispatch from Willemstadt, stating that the Colombians had again invaded Venezuela. There was no official confirmation as to this, but if it should prove correct there seems to be little chance of avoiding an open conflict | hafxr '. invasion by Colombia would in itself be | an act of war.
 At the navy department 1t was decided definitely to send the battleship w,scon- sin down to Sandiega, Cal. in case the desirability of the move become evident I by the time she reached San Francisco and the state department was so ad- yised A force will be sent from the North Atlantic squadron if 1t becomes desirable. MT Herran, the first secretary of the Colombian legation, who Is now in charge during Dr. Silva's absence said today: Horror Discusses Affair. "The point at which an invasion is now feared Is near the borderland In the yi- cinity of Mota River. south of the lake of Maracaiba-"
 The Colombian minister of war is Gen. Gonzales Valencia, who has a good record
 
 guished service during the guerrilla war fare of a year past, and Mir. Horran thought 1t quite likely that he had been called upon to lead the army of Colombia. MT. Herran pointed out that Colombia has population of 5,000.00O. against 3,00O,- 900 of Venezuela, and an army of about 10000 men who have been for the most part in active service against revolution ary bands for the last year. He ex- pressed his earnest hope that a condition of actual war would not result from the | trouble, but believes his country will be | fully able to take care of herself in that emergency. | If traffic in the isthmus should be | stopped 1t probably would bring about an inquiry by the United States government l to the government of Colombia as to the l ability of the latter to cope with the situ- | ation, for the primary duty is on Colom- bia, and only when she fails will the | United States step in. When a similar 1 trouble arose in 1885 the United States did not act until the Colombian government 1 requested action. making 1t plain that the l trouble had gotten beyond the power of It's authority.