The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-12

COLOMBIANS FORCED TO
LEAVE THE RIO ATRATA
Were Ordered to Build a Road to
Panama, but Found the OBJ
stacles Too Great.
1000 MEN FROM BOGOTA
Ordered Back, Possibly by Gen.
Reyes---Unconfrmed Rumor
from Admiral Glass.
1000 MEN FROM BOGOTA

COLON, Dec. u.-Governor Melendez, In
an interview to-day. said: II have just
learned unofficialIy. through passengers OF
the Fournel Ga French steamer that arrived
here to-day from Colombian ports), that
the Colombian warships General Pinzon
and Cartagena left Cartagena at the begin
ming of December, having on board the
same 40 troops which General Tovar
brought to Colon. These were landed at
the Rio Atrata with instructions to build a
road towards Panama. But, after terrible
suffering for four days in their efforts to
go up the river in small boats and canoes,
and being in want of provisions or all
kinds, their supplies having been soaked
with water and spoiled, the troops resolved
not to go any further. The passengers also
affirm the troops have since returned TO
Cartagena."
News has been received from the interior
to the effect that 1900 Colombian troops
left Bogota a fortnight ago TO go down
the Magdalena river but on reaching Hon
da they received orders countermanding the
movement and returned to Bogota on Dec.
2. 1t is believed that General Reyes is re-
| sponsible for the countermanding of the or
| der.
Governor Melendez further said that he
had sent commissioners to chiefs in the In
| dian territory requesting them to come TO
Colon to interview the officers of the gov
eminent on important matters concerning
their interests. One chief from the Indian
settlement at Point Diablo has already ac-
| cepted this invitation and arrived here. He
gives assurance that Colombian troops
have not been seen in this territory, and
| further, that they would not be allowed to
cross the country. Other chiefs from San
Bias and Cape Mosquito, who have accept
| ed the governments invitation, are expect
| ed to arrive shortly
The French steamer Fournell arrived here
to-day from Savanilla and Cartagena. She
was the first vessed to reach this port since
the decree closing Cartagena and Savanilla
to vessels to and from Colon can
celed. The Fournell brought passengers
| and mails. The authorities of the depart
| the loss of the isthmus, which they do not
regard as hopeless, as they issued clearance
papers not for the republic of Panama, but
/ for Colon. department of Panama.
| The Fournell reports that the Colombian
| cruisers General Pinzon and Cartagena are
/ Fournell said a rumor was current at Car
/ tagena that the cruiser Cartagena, about
| ten days ago, embarked at night over a
| thousand troops, bound for the Gulf of Da-
| rien, with the object of constructing a road
1 to Cauca-
| Admiral Coghlan has received letter
| from Luther +. Ellsworth, United States
| consul at Cartagena, which says that the
| Colombian warship Cartagena left Carta-
| gena early in December carrying about S0t
| soldiers. its destination being the Atrats
\ river region. The contents of the letter
| which gives no details of the movement
have been transmitted to the Washington
1 government
| The Mayfiower, which left in a southeast
ward direction yesterday. will join the At.
lanta. and both vessels will proceed to the
| Gulf of Darien to obtain definite informa-
1 ton as to what is happening there. The
i Mayfiower will return Immediately and re-
port to Admiral Coghlan.