Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-02-07

, Cluff In letter to the News" at the
time he visited them He firmly be-
lieyes they were built by the Nephites.
bur the exact time in their history they
constructed them he could not possibly
say. Other famous and beautiful ruins
We're seen In Ocosingo In the mountains
OF Chiapas, Mexico. The travels
through Guatemala were attended with
severe suffering for food and water.
The corn crop the year before had
failed and the people We're en-
gagged in life ana death strug
gle with famine In that land the party
however, tarried to visit the ruins OF
Qulrgua, which were marvellous, but
the grnudest ruins seen on the whole
trip were those at Copan IN Honduras.
These ancient piles are substantial aud
enduring monuments of vanished
civilization, which Prest. Clun' thinks,
reached a higher point than the pres
ent IN the art Of architecture and many
ether skilled accomplishments that died
with them Those people, he thinks,
We're the Ncphites.
Other ruins of the same description
We're seen occasionally all along the
route from the lsthmus of Panama to
southern Colombia
The most exciting period of the "trip
was while passing through Panama
where the first insurgents We're en-
countered, The Introduction the party
had TO the latter vas in the nature OF
an ambuscade. The Utahans We're tray-
cling through the woods on their tired
mules when their blood was suddenly
curdled BY the salute Of twenty or
mare bullets that went kissing terribly
near their heads Pest Cuft at once
flew nag Of truce and began to adj
vance towards the attacking party.
Two of the latter took
shot each at him and then ceased
their firing and permitted him TO APP
proach them. AS soon as they learned
that those whom they took to be gov
ernDent spies were only scientific ex-
plorers, they entered at once upon
terms Of friendship
President Cluif and his associates Wis
tied the Insurgents in their tents along
the coast of Panama Tor two weeks.
The officer In command tlcre was Vie
toria Lorenzo, full blOoded Indian Of
extraordinary courage and intelligence.
He explained 10 President Cluif that
the people OF Colombia had fought for
their independence from Spain and
we're now engaged in an effort to shake
off the yoke OF the putocrats who have
been controlling the government for
their own aggrandlzement. The insur-
rectlonists are IN full control south of
Honda, through whose line IL was i'm
possible for the party TO pass. Az Boz
gotta, the party was advised by the
American minister 90 turn back as they
4 hot fol
from them and probably their lives as
well President Cluff also received
letter from the Colombia malnister
of war saving that his country
could not offer him protection
n he proceeded further south, and SO
after carefully considering the matter
and talking over the situation II was
decided to return home until the rebel
lion Is over
The condition Of Colombia as deplc-
ted by Prest. Cluff Is frghttul. lie de-
clares that the war Is rapidly reducing
both sides to q state OF DarDarlsn'
They have been growing more savage
all the time until now the prisoners on
both sides are put to death IKE cattle'
and he thinks II won't be long before
they wiil in their vindictiyeness, apply
instruments Of torture TO the prison.
ers. All the country south Of Bogota Is
infested with bands Of the most blood
thirsty marauders and Prest. Clun
thinks II he had attempted to go FUR
Their, this story would have been OF
very material difference TO him.
lie declares the country In Colombia
20 be the most enchanting he ever saw
and he would advise every young man
who can, TO take trip to that land ne
thinks 1t would more than repay them
for their trouble.