Evening star., 1902-08-29
COLOMBIA'S DEMAND
Nicaragua Must Make Ex-
planation.
AID GIVEN TO REBELS
ARMS AND DAMMUNITIo SHIPPED
FROM CoRINTo.
Another Cause of Complaint After Ad-
justment of Difficulties Seemed
Possible.
AID GIVEN TO REBELS

oolOiiiDid VIII IOrmaUN demand OF Nlca-
ragua an explanation in regard to the lat
ter country's alleged participation in the
| revolution against the Colombian govern
ment, and back up her demand with the
most formidable land and naval force she
can muster, as soon as the present rebel
activity on the isthmus has been crushed.
Information TO this effect was received
from an authoritative source in Washing
ton today.
Surprise in Diplomatic Circles.
The above intelligence causes consider
able surprise In diplomatic circles. for but
few weeks ago it was announced that
Mr.. Concha. the Colombian minister, and
Mr.. Corea, the Nicaraguan minister. had
established an entente cordiaIe" between
their respective governments that bygones
were to be regarded as bygones, and that
the time was ripe for a satisfactory un-
derstanding between the two governments.
1t is now learned that the initial move to-
ward the establishment OF an amicable un-
derstanding between Nicaragua and CO.
Iombia was made by Mr.. Corea. who also
proposed to Mr.. Concha an adjustment OF
the difficulties which have so long been
pending over Colombia's claim to the owner
ship OF a strip of what is now generally
regarded as the Nj araguan coast line.
Minister Concha declined to accede TO
the latter proposal, declaring that a claim
WHICH SOiolilDld Ndl DrOuSnt forward for
SO many years could not be adjusted or,
In fact brought to any material degree
toward adjustment, by the methods sug-
gested by the Nicaraguan minister How
ever, Mr.. Concha was entirely willing TO
join Mr.. Corea in the establishment of an
entente cordiale.
Arms for the Rebels.
Shortly after Minister Corea's arrival in
Nicaragua, where he went some weeks ago
on leave of absence. the Colombian Off
cials here, ii is stated received information
to the effect that arms and ammunition for
the Colombian rebels on the isthmus were
being shipped from CCrintO. The Colom-
b an legation here had been receiving re-
ports OF this character continually. but in
view of the arrangement effected with the
Nicaraguan minister before he left WASH
tngton Seror Concha lost no time in call
ing MI Corea's attention to the matter.
The latter official replied that President Ze-
laya would Immediately institute an inves-
uSation to ascertain if the reports were
we'll founded. A short time ago, however,
more reports were received in Washington
to the effect that Nicaragua still continued
her material support of the revolutionIsts
on the isthmus, and now Colombia il ia
stated, finds her patience exhausted. and
has decided to present formal demand for
an explanation. Meanwhile. it is under
stood, the entente cordiale has only nomi-
nal existence.
Actual War Not Anticipated
1t is not anticipated that the affair will
will lead to actual war with Nicaragua
but, nevertheless, Colombia is making prep
arations to back up her representations
with a reinforced army and navy. 1t de-
velops that the purchase of the well-armed
war vessel at Seattle. well as several
prospective purchases of warships for the
Colombian navy, have Nicaragua rather
than the present troubles on the isthmus in
view.
Colombia's troubles with Venezuela, fol-
lowed by the revolution which has con-
vulsed and practically ruined the country,
have made her weary of war, yet, ii is
stated, that goVernmCn mt feels that it cannot
overlook the ceaseless reports Of aid eX-
tended to the rebels from supposedly neu-
trail republic.
The Colombian government has no doubt
of its ability to crush the revolution on the
isthmus, provided the movement is not fos-
tered and encouraged from outside quar-
tiers. But the extension of aid from with
out opens up an indefinite prospect of the
harassing warfare which keeps the isthmus
in a constant state of turmoil and hampers
and delays the plans of the Colombian gov
ernment.