The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-08-15
INVADERS MENACE VENEZUELA,
coIombians Bent On Precipltatin9
Bloody conf'iet-une!e Sam
Is Watching.

nounces that a new Columbian invasion
occurred Thursday near Colon. The
invading force Is commanded by the
Colombian minister of war.
The situation in Colombia aud Ven,
ezuela continued to occupy mucn ok
the attention Of officials at Washington
Friday, and while it was not felt that
affairs had reached a serious aspect
yet it was appreciated that both the
official and unofficial advices indfcars
ted a condition of affairs which mignSs
mean war between Colombia and Ven-S
ezuela, complicated by revolutionary5
outbreaks in both countries.
During the day the state department.
received a rather lengthy mail COM:
munication from Consul General Gud-s
ger, at Panama, and though this was
dated nearly 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 expeditions. The depart
ment also received letter from n. IS
Edward Simmons, Of New York, presi-
dent of the Panama railroad, confirm
ing his communication Of Thursdayf
relative to the trouble on the fsthmuss
and stating that the superintendent q
the road advised him as to the depre
dations Of an insurgent band, Wnicn
did not number, however, over 90 men
The more serious aspect OF the
matter was presented in q press dis
patch from Willemstadt Island Of CIlss
racoa, stating that the Colombians had
again invaded Venezuela. e
There was no official confirmation aas
to this, but If it proves correct, there
seems little chance Of avoiding an
open conflict between these two couns'
tries, as such an invasion by ColombiA
would In itself be an act OF war. But
the United States authorities prefer
to take conservative view OF the sits
uation until the official adReees are n
hand. When inquiry was made as to
why our officials at Bogota and elsess
where did not send full information On
the subject, it was stated that these
officials were not there to commune
cate news, but only to advise this GOV
ernment as preliminary to any which
becomes necessary.
At the navy department. no furtaees
steps were taken toward sending ships
to the isthmus.
Mr.. Herran, the first secretary g
Colombian legation, who Is now tn
charge during Mr. silva's absences
points out that Colombia has q popuias
ton of 100000 against 3,000,00 OF
Venezuela, and an army OF about 40.s;
600 men, who have been for the most
part in active service against revotus
tisnary bands for the last year. He exss
pressed his earnest hope that a condi.s
ton Of actual war would not .resuk
from the present troubles, but beiiev.
ed his country to be fully able to take
care of herself In that emergency.
If traffic on the isthmus should be-
stopped it probably would bring about
an inquiry by the United States govs
ernment to the government Of Colom-
bia as to the ability Of the latter to-
cope with the situation, for the pris
mary duty is on Colombia and only
when she fails win the United States
step in. When similar trouble arose'
in 1885 the United States did not act
until the Colombian government re
quested action, making 1t plain that
the trouble had got beyond the power
of its authorities.