The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-10
WITH ARMED FORCE
VENEZUELAN GOVERNMENT AN
NOUNCES INVASION OF IT'S TER
RITORY BY COLOMBIA
UNDER THE MINISTER OF WAR
Colombian Legation at Washington
Unable to Confirm or Deny
the News-SituatiOn on
the IsthmuS.

WILLEMSTAD, Island of Curacao,
Aug. 9.-The Venezuelan government an
nounces that a new Colombian invasion
occurred yesterday morning near Colon.
The invading force is commanded by
the Colombian minister of war.
WASHINGTON. D. c., Aug. 9-The
Colombian legation had no news
today to confirm the press report of
new Colombian invasion of Venezuela.
Mr.. Herran, the first secretary of the
legation, who is now in charge during
Dr. Silva's absence, said: The point at
which an invasion is now feared is near
the borderland, in the vicinity of Meta
river, south of the Lake of Maracaibo.
The Colombian minister of war is Gen.
Gonzales Valencia, who has a good rec
ord as a fighter and has rendered dis
tinguished services during the guerrilla
warfare of a year past, and Mr. Herran
thought it quite likely that he had been
called upon to lead the army of Colom-
oia. Mr.. Herran is expecting almost
hourly to hear from the Colombian con-
sui general at New York, and also hopes
for some news to shed light on the situa
tion on the isthmus from the incoming
Colombian mail, which is expected soon
to arrive.
Mr.. Herran discussed generally the
ability Of Colombia to cope with an ac-
out that Colombia has a population of
100000, against the 1900, 900 of Venezue-
la, and an army of about 1000 men, who
have been for the most part in active
service against revolutionary bands for
the past year
He expressed his earnest hope that a
condition of actual war would not re-
suit from the present troubles, but be-
lieved his country to be fully able, to
f1 kn nf In
AS far as known, neither of the gov
ernments involved has addressed the
United States government concerning
the troubles on the isthmus. nor has
there been any occasion for this govern
ment to address either Of them in refer
ence to the difficulty.
UNCLE SAM MAY STEP IN.
If traffic on the isthmus should be
stopped, 1t probably would bring about
an inquiry by the United States govern
ment to the government of Colombia as
to the ability of the latter to cope with
the situation, for the primary duty is
on Colombia, and only when she fails
will the United States step in. When a
similar trouble arose in 1885 the United
States did not act until the Colombian
government requested action, making II
plain that the trouble had got beyond
the power Of it's authorities.
were able to throw any light upon the
press dispatch from Willemstad, stating
that the Venezuelan government an
nounced that new Colombian invasion
occurred yesterday near Colon
No further Official reports have come
regarding the situation on the isthmus
and the officials appear content to rest
for the present with what has already
been done in preparing to protect Ameri-
can interests. They do not regard the
situation as serious, but desire to be
ready if it should become serious. The
battlesnip Wisconsin had not reported
her departure to the navy department
during the early part of the day, but 1t
Is expected that she will be on her way
south very soon. AS San Francisco is
over 5000 miles from Panama, the bat
tleship probably will proceed further
down the coast probably to San Diego,
Cal, and there await developments on
the istnmus. The navy department has
not yet decided whether Commander
Nathan Sargent will take the Machias
all the way to the isthmus or be succeed
ed by some other officer.
The state department has received a
mail communication from Consul General
Gudger at Panama dated July II, stating
an expedition in aid of the revolution
lists had landed near the port Of Nuts.
He says reports are varying as to the
number and equipment of the persons so
landed but 1t is conjectured that the num-
Der is rather small Persons in official
position at Panama, who seem to be best
advised, regard this expedition as a fore
runner of others to be sent out as wei
as a method Of causing more general
uprising among the Liberals along the
isthmus. The consul general does not
know whether affairs on the isthmus will
become serious, but is of the opinion
that If there should be armed forces pres
ent as there were year ago, personal
and property rights would be in danger.