The Washington times., 1902-07-11
Believed That Hostilities
Have Begun Between
Latin Republics.
RANGER ORDERED TO DAVID
State Department Hears That Colom-
bian Force Is About to Invade Neigh
bor-Reprisal for Sympathy With
Revolutionists - Canal Interests In
volved.

From information received at the
State Department yesterday it is be-
Heved that war has broken out between
the governments OF Nicaragua and Co
lombia.
The information is not definite on this
point, however. being merely TO the eff
feet that a Colombian force, assisted by
Nicaraguan revolutionists, has invaded
Nicaragua and attacked troops OF that
country.
whether the Colombian force is COM
posed of government troops is not known
here. but there is reason to believe that
the attack has the sanction of the CO.
lombian administration.
At the request of the State Depart
ment telegraphic orders were sent by
the Secretary Of the Navy to Commander
William Potter, of the United States
gunboat Ranger, to proceed from Pam
anna to the scene of the trouble. The
orders read:
Confer with consul general (at Pan
ama.) Then proceed to David. Inyesti-
gate. Return to Panama"
A Small NicaTaguan Port.
David is a small port in Nicaragua.
close to the Colombian line. on the
Pacific Coast, about 100 miles north OF
Panama. 1t has always been a favorite
landing place for parties from Nicaragua
and other states. who planned reyolu-
tions from without Colombia's borders,
and then sent filibustering expeditions
into Colombian territory.
American interests at that point are
believed to be Of small Importance.
The news that the two Latln-Ameri-
can countries have resorted TO arms is
not surprising 10 officials here VINO have
been familiar with the differences be-
tween them.
1t mas been predicted that if the CO.
iombian government succeeded in sup
pressing the formidable insurrection
which it has had 10 contend with for
three years. it would thea proceed to
settle accounts with Nicaragua. The
civil war ia Colombia Is now believed to
De practically ended. and the invasion
Of Nicaraguan territory by Colombian
troops Is regarded as a natural result Of
the improved conditions.
Open Hostility.
Tho hostile feeling between the two
republics has been openly shown Ac-
cusatloHs have been made that Me
aragua was assisting the Colombian
rebels, and while the purpose of this at
tItude has never been clearly explained.
the Colombians have suspected that Me
aragua's object was to excite preju-
dice in the United States against the
selection Of the Panama route for the
isthmlan canal, the idea being. appar-
entity, that this Government would not
undertake the construction Of this i'm
portant project I'm the country torn by
political disturbances.
so oyen has been the charges that
Nicaragua was helping the enemies of
Colombia that Oflciala OF the Colom-
bian government have not hesitated to
give broad hints 10 that effect Only
yesterday. Senor Concha. the Colombian
minister in Washington. issued a state
ment about the improved political con-
ditions in his country in which oc-
CURED this significant utterance:
The purpose Of thc rebels today is
reduced 10 that Of maintaining a stu
alton which will make impossible the
regular administration of public affairs,
especially !n the isthmus. and protect
ing. in this manner the interests of n
neighbor which has great interest
in those disorders. so as to prejudice
the United States against the canal.
and thus 10 prevent the negotiations in
this matter
They remunerate the rebels services
with supplies Of arms. ammunition. and
soldiers with which TO kill Colombian
brethren. TO annihilate public wealth,
and destroy the hope of progress Of their
own native country"
The "nelghbor" referred to by Senor
Concha is, OF course. Nicaragua.