The San Francisco call., 1903-12-01
.COLOMBIANS
WANT. LIFE
OF BEAUPRE
American Minister
to BOgOta in
Danger.
His Assassination Is
Urged in Council
of Leaders.
Republic Is Planning for
Guerrilla Warfare on
the Isthmus.

COLON, Nov. 30.-Louis Deroux, who
was a member Of the Colombian House
Of Representatives from Panama, who
made speech in the House on October
2 warning Colombia TO sign the Hay
Herran canal treaty Immediately or
she would lose the isthmus the day
Congress closed and who was instru-
mental in bringing about the appoint
ment Of General Obaldia as Governor
Of Panama, has arrived here from Bo-
gotta, whence he started on November
a. Senor Deroux is a Panamaian, and
owing to his well-known political con-
nections he was subjected to annoy
ances and affrOnts in Bogota and on
the Magdalena River, where at one
place on the passage down q number
of Colombians threatened to board the
steamer and molest him. The trouble
was averted BY the captain cutting the
vessels mo0rings and dropping down
stream In BOgots- efforts were made
20 persuade Deroux 70 Join the Reyes
commission TO the isthmus, but Deroux
abruptly declined
When Deroux left Bogota the United
States Legation was guarded contin-
uously by fifty soldiers armed with
rifles Minister Beaupre mentioned
that possibly he would come down the
decided TO do 50.
WOULD ASSASSINATE BEAUPRE.
A governmental consulting commits
sion has been formed in Bogota. 1t is
composed Of Liberals, Conservatives
and Nationalists. According to good
authority at one meeting Of the com
mission the statement was repeatedly
made that Beaupre must be killed
whether or not the United States de-
stroyed Cartsgena in retaliation. Wiser
counsels. however. prevailed.
Bogota and the entire country is
waiting TO hear from General Reeves.
whose grant Of full Presidential power
{ has been confirmed. While there is still
much talk in Colombia Of raising a big
army no actual steps in that direction
. have yet been made. Public contribu-
tiOns are being made and DEGREES are
occasionally issued reaching TO warlike
preparations. Colombia possesses a
number Of good rifles, some artillery
and an ample supply Of ammunition.
Quantities Of ammunition have been
recently moved in carts from Honda.
sixty-ive miles from Bogota, on the
Magdalena River, to Bogota.
Colombia has not lost the idea of
making an effort to regain the isthmus.
She still entertains hopes that General
Reyes wiz succeed in effecting a salts
factory arrangement in Washington
Failing this the Colombians. 1t is be-
heveo, viii undoubtedly advance on the
isthnus, sending troops in small par
ties OF 200 70 300 along both coasts suf-
nciently inland to keep their move
ments secret On arriving on the bor-
ders Of Panama they will, II is said
begin guerrilla warfare, pillaeine and
burning.
May SEND TROOPS BY SEA
Colombia may also, It is alleged. at
tempt 10 transport troops by sea IN
small schooners and other such craft
between unimportant and little known
ports, hoping TO avoid the American
gun5oats and thus helping in the gen
eral movement toward Panama. or nos
sibly landing troops in the Chiriqui dis
trict. The Colombians believe they can
carry out such a movement without the
knowledge Of the Americans and are
confident their soldiers, Injured to the
hardships Of campaigning and living
on the country without a commissariat,
can reach the borders Of Panama over
land Colombia can move troops with
out money and she can send them into
the field without a hospital corps, with
cut commissary department. without
means Of transportation and without
pay.
notwithstanding the Colombian Gov
ernnent's assurances. all Of the politi-
cal parties have not 1ully and unre-
servedly rallied TO the support Of the
Government in this crisis. The internal
political dissensions are slowly grow
ing more marked. The Liberal revolu-
tionary element particularly is showing
signs of increasing discomfort through
out the entire country and recurrence
Of the recent revolt at any time within
the next year would not surprise those 4
who arc familiar with Colombian af-
Cow@srg,od ~, Do~. . Co1,,~nu . 4