Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-01
ALLEGATION
Minister Beaupre's Life Was
in Danger.
HAD BEEN THREATENED
NO ACTUAL STEPS TAKEN TO
RAISE AN ARMY.
II Gen. Reyes Mission Is Unsatisfac-
tory Colombia May Wage
Guerrilla Warfare.

A cablegram from Colon last night says:
Luis Deroux, who was member OF the
Colombian house Of representatives from
Panama, who made a speech in the house
October warning Colombia to sign the
Hay-Herran canal treaty Immediately or
she would lose the isthmus the day con-
gress closed, and who was instrumental In
bringing about the appointment of Gen.
Obaldia as governor of Panama, has ar
rived here from Bogota, whence he started
November IA.
Senior Deroux Is Panaman. and owing
to his well-known political connections he
was subjected to annoyances and affronts
at Bogota and on the Magdalena river,
where, at one place on the passage down, a
number Of Colombians threatened to board
the steamer and modest him.
Trouble was averted by the captain cut
ting the vessels moorings and dropping
down stream. At Bogota efforts were made
to persuade Senior Deroux to join the Reyes
commission to the isthmus, but Deroux alb
solutely declined.
Legation Under Heavy Guard.
When Deroux left Bogota the United
States legation was guarded continually by
fifty soldiers armed with rifles. Minister
Beaupre mentioned that possibly he would
come GOWN lne river, Uut dpPdAShIiy A9
has not decided to do SO.
A governmental consulting committee has
been formed at Bogota. 1t is composed Of
liberals. conservatives and nationalists. Ac-
cording to good authority, at one meeting
of the committee the statement was heat
eddy made that Mr.. Beaupre must be kill
ed whether the United States destroyed
Carthagena or not in retaliation. wiser
councils, however, prevailed
Bogota and the entire country is waiting
to hear from Gen. Reyes. whose grant OF
full presidential powers has been confirmed
| While there is still much talk in Colombia
of raising big army, no actual steps in
that direction have yet been taken.
| Public contributions are being made and
DEGREES are occasionally issued, referring
to warlike preparations, but no real action
has been taken.
Has Munitions Of War.
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 has not lost
the idea of making an attempt to regain
the isthmus. She. still entertains hopes that
Gen. Reyes will succeed in effecting salts
factory arrangement at Washington.
Failing this, the Colombians, It is be-
isthmus, sending troops In small parties
of two or three hundred along both coasts.
sufficiently inland to keep their move
ments secret. and, on arriving on the Dor
ders of Panama, they WILL it Is said, beg n
a guerrilla warfare, pillaging and burning
They may also, it is alleged, attempt to
transport troops by sea in small schooners
and other such craft between unimportant
and Httle-known ports, hoping to avoid the
American gunboats. and thus helping in the
general movement toward Panama. OF
possibly landing troops in the Chiriqui dis
trict.
Can Reach Panama Overland.
The Colombans think they can carry out
such movement without the knowledge OF
the Americans, and believe their soldiers,
Injured to the hardships of campaigning and
living the country without a commits
overland.
Colombia can move troops without
money, because she can send them into the
field without a hospital corps, without a
commissary department, without means OF
transportation and without pay.
Notwithstanding the Colombian govern
ment's assurances. all the political parties
have not fully and unselishly rallied to the
support of the government in this crisis.
The internal political dissensions are slowly
growing more marked. The liberal revoiu-
tionary element particularly is showing
signs Of increasing discomfort throughout
~
recent revolt at any time within the next
year would not surprise those who are
familiar with Colombian affairs On the
contrary, it is fully expected.
Cartagena is Quiet.
An American travelling salesman, who
spent the last month in Cartagena has ar
rived here. He reports that Cartagena is
quiet, with the exception of an occasional
outbreak OF popular excitement against
the United States. But nothing serious has
occurred there. The American consul at
that place has not been moiested. There
are only two or three Americans in Carta-
gena, and they are all longtime residents
well known and liked. There is no fear of
them being interfered with. The traveller
confirms the Associated Press 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 Cartagena Cen
eral Pinzen and Presidente Marroquin are