The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-29
MINISTER BEAUPRE AND
WIFE ARRIVE At COLON
ON CRUISER OLYMPIA
Colombians Show Them Every
Courtesy Possible on Trip from
Bogota to Cartagena.
COGHLAN GOES ASHORE
And Is Friendly Received by the
Governor, Who Later Visits
the Admiral's Flagship.
ONE NOTABLE INCIDENT
Colombian Cruiser Cartagena
Races In Ahead of the Olym-
pia and Runs Aground.
COGHLAN GOES ASHORE
ONE NOTABLE INCIDENT

ship. the Olympia. arrived here this after
noon from Cartagena. bringing A NJ.
Beaupre, United States minister to Colom-
bia. and Mrs. Beaupre.
Minister and Mrs. Beaupre arrived at
Cartagena from Bogota last Saturday and
boarded the Olympia on her arrival yester-
day afternoon. The Olympia Immediately
sailed for Colon. Minister Beaupre will
sail for New York on the steamer Yucatan
Tomorrow
The reception of the Olympia at Carta-
gena was friendly. The naval authorities
here received instructions from Washing
ton Christmas day not to send the cruiser
Atlanta, the converted cruiser Mayfower
and the gunboat Castine TO Cartagena with
the Olympia as previously projected. The
Olympia therefore sailed for Cartagena
alone at daybreak last Saturday and ar
rived off the BOca Chicha entrance to the
big lagoon on which Cartagena is situated
early yesterday morning. AS the Olympia
ran toward the entrance she deserted the
Colombian cruiser Cartagena four miles
distant making every effort TO reach the
entrance and to pass into the lagoon ahead
of the Olympia, which she succeeded in do
ing
The Olympia steamed slowly 90 the tor
tuous entrance between the two old Span
ish forts. which were apparently deserted,
and found that the Colombian cruiser had
taken up a position a short distance inside
but commanding the entrance. 1t was
learned subsequently, that the Cartagena
lad grounded Inere and that later she was
tOwed into port.
The Olympia passed the Colombian war
ship and proceeded TO Cartagena, which is
e'cht miles from the entrance. Anchoring
about a mile from the town the OLYMPIA
fired salute of twenty-One guns Shortly
thereafter the Colombian battery at the
edge OF town returned the salute.
SENT A BOAT ASHORE
Admiral Coghlan then sent a boat ashore
TO communicate with United States Consul
Orr. but it was learned that Mr. Orr had
left Cartagena about a fortnight ago for
BarranquiIla. The British vice consul at
Cartagena. who is a very sick man and is
hardly expected TO live, had undertaken TO
look after United States interests pending
the arrival of Mr.. Orr's successor.
Admiral Coghlan arranged 10 pay an Off
cial Visit 10 DIR. Jose lnsignares, the Gov
ernOr OF Bolivar, which he did in the after
noon. accompanied by Capt. Harrison G. o.
Colby. Both officers were in full dress uni
form. A big crowd gathered at the docks
10 meet Admiral COghlan and Captain
Colby and IL silently followed the carriage
containing the officers through the streets
TO the palace, where another big crowd had
assembled.
Governor Insignares, surrounded by a
large number of secretaries and aids, re-
ceived Admiral Coghlan in the large salon
of the palace, TO which the populace was ad-
mitted. The latter. however. were separated
from the dignitaries by a railing.
Admiral COghlan and Governor InsignareS
exchanged the regulation formalities, the
the crowd listening attentively. The Gov
ernor said he would return the visit i'm
rnpdiata1y uhprnr1pon drofr nj
his party returned to the Olympia.
The officers were in way mOlested or
closely all the time. Neither by words nor
looks did the populace display any hostility.
The Colombian battery fired rear admir-
ais salute as Admiral Coghlan pulled off for
the Olympia
GOVERNOR sALUTED.
About o'clock in the afternoon Governor
Insignares. accompanied by numerous
retinue. boarded the Olympia for the return
visit and remained for fifteen minutes
When the Governor and his retinue were
disernbarking the Olympia fired a gov
ernor's salute of twenty-one guns, and i'm
mediately thereafter nOisted anchor and
steamed out of the lagoon.
While Almiral COghlan and other Amer
leans were treated civilly and courteously,
and while their visit was not marked by the
slightest unpleasantness or untoward in
cldent, IT was evident that the authorities
at Cartagena were not very glad to see the
Olympia. and were glad when she took her
departure
Admiral Coghlan was careful To leave at
the soonest possible moment evidently re-
membering the absolute loyalty of the de-
partment OF Bolivar 10 the Bogota govern
ment.
1t is expected the Bogota government had
spies IN Cartagena who were carefully
watching Tor any evidence of dislOyalty,
since the Cartagenan authorities evidently
desired to avoid all unnecessary fTiendliness
with the Americans.
Inc IL
rounded by his staff of secretaries during
his interviews with Admiral Coghlan i'm
order. no doubt, to have witnesses to prove
that he was more friendly than the
circumstances required.
No political references were made during
the interviews. except by the chief of the
Cartagena customs, who. while aboard the
Olympia. proposed. with great earnestness.
a toast 20 the continuance of the friendly
Colombia.
DISPOSITION OF ARMY.
Comparatively little information as to
the general situation could be gained at
Cartagena- There are probably $500 troops
there, and there are reported TO be 5000 at
Barranquilla. The government Is doubtless
slowly concentrating troops at Barran-
Quilla and moving them toward Tftumati in
small numbers. There are probably l. 200
Colombian soldiers at Titumat and vicinity
to-day, and this number Is gradually being
Increased.
Minister Beaupre had a good trip down
the Ma gdalena river, and greatly graf
flied that the Olympia had been sent 10
Cartagena To bring him 10 Colon. The BO-
gOtan authorities extended every courtesy
10 the minister, who left BOgOta in a special
train and was carried down the river on a
special steamer. He made the trip from
BOgOta 10 Cartagena in seven days.
Minister Beaupre was questioned conSSrn-
ing the situation, but the minister emphat-
ically declined 10 talk of the polithical con-
ditions.
Mr.. Beaupre is going home on a leave of
absence, which has long been deferred He
says ne thought that any trouble between
the United States and Colombia was i'm
probable, and that the Americans In Co
lombia-Of whom there were very few,
there being only about ten I'm BOgota and
some prospectOrs In Antioquia and other
places-were in no danger of mOlestation.
Gen. Rafael Reyes has been bitterly crit
icised at B0gOta for having invited the
Panamian commissioners to breakfast
when here aboard the Canada. The gen.
erals action in this matter is considered
undignifed and a sign OF weakness.
General Reyes's cOntin 4ed absence al
Washington Is resulting in certain slight
weakening OF his influence and prestige
II can safely be said that the influence OF
time and calmer consideration of the sit
uatiOn Is bringing about though slowly a
greater readiness on the part Of Colombia
TO accept the inevitable and TO get all she
possibly can from the Republic OF Panama
b. diplomatic means.