New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-01
C0L0MBIA'S PLAN OF WAR
TO H1RASS THE ISTHMUS.
Small Bands To Be Sent Overland
Discussions at BogOtd.

Colon, Nov s0.-Louis Deroux, who was
member OF the Colombian House of Representa-
fives from Panama, who made a spe sch in the
House on October > warning Colombia to sign
the Hsy-Herran canal treaty Immediately or
lose the isthmus on the dag Congress closed
and who instrumental in bringing about
the appointment of General Obaldia Gov
error OF Panama. has arrived here from Bogpta
whence he started on November Il. Senior
Deroux is a Panaman, and owing to his po-
litical connections he was subjected to annoy
ances and affronts at Bogota and on the Mag
dalena River, where at one place on the pas
sage down number OF Colombians threatened
10 board the steamer and modest him. Trouble
was sverted by the captain cutting the vessels
snOorings and dropping down stream AT Bo-
gotta efforts made TO persuade Senior
Deroux 10 join the Reyes Commission to the
isthmus but he declined the offers.
When Senior Deroux left Bogota the United
States legation guarded continually by
fifty soldiers armed with rifles. Minister Beau
pre- mentioned that possibly he would go down
the river, but apparently he has decided not
10 do so.
A government consulting committee has been
formed at Bogota- II is composed of Liberals
Conservatives and Nationalist. According to
good authority. at meeting of the commit
tee. the statement was heatedIy made that Mr..
Beaupre must be killed, whether the United
States destroyed Cartagena not in retalia-
zion. Wiser counsels. however, prevailed.
GOOD SUPPLY OF ARMS.
Bogota and the entire country is waiting to
hear from General Reyes. whose grant of full
Presidential powers has been confirmed. While
there is stin much talk in Colombia Of raising
a large army actual steps in that direction
have yet been taken. Public contributions are
being made and DEGREES are occasionally issued,
referring 10 warlike preparations, but no def
mite action has been taken Colombia possesses
a great number of good rifles. some artillery
and an ample supply of ammunition. Quantities
of ammunition have recently been moved in OK
carts from Honda, sixty-five miles from Bogota
on the Magdalena River. to Bogota-
Colombia stin entertains hopes that General
Reyes will succeed in effecting q satisfactory
rangement at Washington. Failing this. the Co
lombians il is believed, win advance on the 18TH
mus sending troops in small parties Of two 10
three hundred along both coasts, sufficiently in
land 20 keep their movements secret. and on ar
irving on the borders of Panama they will, il
IS said, begin a guerilla warfare, pillaging and
burning They may also, it is said, attempt to
transport troops by sea, in small schooners and
other such craft between unimportant ports.
topping to avoid the American gunboats. 1t is
also possible that an attempt will be made to
land troops in the Chiriqui district.
TROOPS CAN ALMOST LIVE ON AIR.
The Colombians think they can carry out such
p movement without the knowledge of the
Americans, and believe their soldiers, Injured TO
the hardships of campaigning and living on the
country without a commissariat, can reach the
borders Of Panama overland. Colombia can send
troops into The field without a hospital corps,
without a commissary department, without
means Of transportation and without psy.
Notwithstanding the Colombian government s
assurances all the political parties have not
fully and unselfishly rallied to the support Of
fhe government in this crisis. The internal
political dissensions slowly growing more
marked. The Liberal revolutionary element par
t.cularly is showing signs of increasing discon-
lent through the entire country, and a re-
Crudesence Of the recent revolt some time with
;n the next year is fully expected.
An AmTican travelling salesman who spent
the last month in Cartagena has arrived here.
He reports that Cartagena is quiet, with the
exception Of an occasional outbreak Of popular
excitement against the United States Nothing
serious has occurred there The American con-
sui at that place has not been molested. There
are only two three Americans in Cartagena
and they all longtime residents we'll known
and liked. The salesman confirms previous dis
patches regarding the attempt Of the American
consul at Cartagena to board the Trent and the
interference of the police.
The Colombian gunboats the Cartagena the
General Pinzon and the Presidente Marroquin.
are at Cartagena.