The Gainesville star. [volume] (Gainesville, Fla.) 1903-19??, 1903-12-22
CRISIS is NEARING
Colombia is Making Prepar-
alton for Hostile Action,
WILL BE GUERRILLA WAR
Commander Of Cruiser Atlanta Finds
a Camp Of the enemy" and Re.
eelves Cold Reception and
Orders to Vaeate.

A Washington special says: While
General Reyes is at the national CAPT
tai talking peace and assisting Wayne
MacVeagh In the preparation OF the
Colombian memorial to be presented
to this government, the republic 81
Colombia Is taking active steps Tor an
attack upon Panama. This has been
known to the general stan OF the ar
my for some days, for the general stan
has taken every possible procaution 70
keep itself fully advised OF all that Is
going on at Bogota and throughout the
Colombian territory; but not until re-
ports we're received Thursday from
Captain Turner, commanding the cruis'
or Atlanta, was II officially acknowl'
edged that however peaceful the talk
OF the new Colombian president, the
trend Of events in his country Is de-
cidedly warlike.
1t will be recalled that some days
ago there came report from La
Guayra OF an expedition bound for the
mouth OF the Atrato river, which Is
close to the border between Colombia
and Panama. Later 1t was announced
that the government had been inform
ed that this expedition had turned
back, and the impression prevailed In
Washington that II had never been
started. But Captain Turner's dis
patches to the navy department reveal
the fact that he has discovered that
expedition and that II is established
at what appears to be permanent
camp which would be adyantageable
as a base OF supplies in case Of a
movement upon Panama, when 1t be-
comes apparent that the Reyes mis-
sion Is a failure, which 1t certainly
will be, so far rs securing the return
of Panama to the mother country Is
concerned.
1t is this condition Of affairs that
forms the basis for the warlike Irepa.
rations which have for some time
been under way The general staff
through its secret service department
Is kept daily iriormed of the progress
OF events in Colombia. The feeling
throughout that country is intensely
bitter toward the United STATES.
OF course, Panamas figh must, II
the administration program is not in.
terfered with in some way, be our own
President Roosevelt has determined
that the United States shall keep the
Colombians off Panama territory, OK
tending the new government just the
same measure Of protection as Is
guaranteed In the treaty which he Sc
gotiated, but which has not yet been
perfected by the senates ratification
Captain Turner's Report.
A special from Colon says The
United States cruiser Atlanta, Com.
mander William H Turner, returned
Wednesday night from the gull of
Darlen. She discovered, December 10,
a detachment Of Colombian troops
numbering about 500 men, but accord.
ing TO Their statements, totaling 1000
or 1000 men, at Titumani, on the
western side of the gulf, just north of
the mouth Of the Atrato river.
The commander OF the Atlanta sent
ashore an officer who conversed with
the Colombian commander, The lat.
ter protested theoretically against the
presence OF American warships in Co.
lombian waters, insomuch as war be
tween Colombia and the United States
had not been declared, and politely re.
quested the Atlanta to leave the gulf
because 1t belonged to Colombia.
Commander Turner ignored the re.
quest and the Atlanta returned to Co.
lon to report to Rear Admiral Coghlan.