The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-02
COLOMBIANS WORRIED
OVER OWN AFFAIRS

COLON, Jan. THAT Colombia's inter
nal situation is daily becoming graver and
more threatening, and that Colombians are
realizing the extreme seriousness thereof. is
evidenced by a discussion that has been
brought out at Cartagena and Barranquilli
by the publication of a document, dated
Bogota, Dec. Z. and signed by President
Marroquin and his Cabinet. in which it is
proposed TO have municipalities hold pleb-
iscites as TO whether the Constitution will
be changed, decentralizing Bogotas pow
ers and greatly increasing the powers of
municipalities and departmental govern
ments. The documents say the purpose of
the change is to strengthen municipal and
departmental governments. save the re-
public's present integrity, and cause all
reasons for the existing unrest and discord
to disappear.
In answering these documents the munic-
ipality of Cartagena passed resolutions
that, first, considering the country's great
est need is interior peace; and second. that
the abolishing of the Constitution would
inevitably bring on agitation against ma
tional peace and concord, and discussing
the Constitution would endanger its en-
tirety and its cardinal principle. and third.
that a change in the Constitution would es-
tabish a dangerous precedent, it was re-
solved that administrative Capitalization be
obtained through legislation, but without
changing the Constitution.
Ell Porvenir, of Cartagena, the leading
newspaper of the Atlantic coast, has started
the discussion of the proposed measure,
which shows that the people of Colombia
are thinking far more of the dangers in
regard TO the situation than of any efforts
to take military steps against Panama. Ell
Porvenor says editorially: THAT Colom-
bias present internal situation cannot con-
tinue without bringing the country to dis
solution is admitted by everyone. COnsti-
tutiOnal reforms are called for with thun-
derOus force, and In COlOmbia's most urgent
necessity to-day we confront the problem
OF national dissolution 1t is not the hour
to vacilate." The paper gives a long list
of revolution disorders and wars which have
followed previous changes in the Colombian
Constitution as an argument against the
proposals from BOgOta. 1t says there Is no
need Of a new Constitution and with fear de-
plores the inevitable consequences of
change in form, in the men at the head
of administrative affairs.
Throughout the proposals and in the en-
tire discussion of them is not a single word
concerning Panama, except in referring to
1t as an object from which wisdom should
be CLEANED
An interview with Dr. Antonio r. Blanco
one of the Colombian commissioners who re-
Gently visited Washington. published at
Cartagena, shows clearly that General
Reyes and the government of Colombia are
counting almost entirely upon the nonrati-
fication of the Hay-Brunau Varilla treaty
In the interview DR.. Blanco said: IF the
treaty is passed by the Congress OF the
United States Colombia will have to choose
between the resignation of a weak people
or the sacrifice of an heroic people. We
have nothing 10 hope for from the attitude
OF the other powers. 1t is no exaggeration
TO say that we are entirely alone in this
matter"
At a political meeting held recently at
Medalln. in the State of Antigua, IL was
resolved to do everything possible TO oppose
any separatist movement and to ask Presi-
dent Marroquin to call a national conven-
tion in order 10 find n solution for all the
problems that to-day are so deeply dis
tressing TO the country.