The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-03-28
k Now Trying to Pick Quar-
 rel With Colombia
TURNS DOWN 4 DIPLOMAT
Colombia Wanted to Resume DIpIo- matIc Relations With Venezuela,
 But Her Representative
 Was Practically Ignored.

Trinidad, March 9.-(Correspohdenee of the Associated Press )-President Castro has again refused to resume diplomatic relations with Colombia, and in so doing has created a situation which many South American diplomats fear will lead to war between Colombia and Venezuela. Early in February President Reyes sent Lucas Cabeero as minister to Venezuela, having been advised that President Castro desired the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between the two republics. For more than month after his arrival in Caracas, Senor Cabellero was practically ignored. He was never officially received but finally Lopez Baralt, former minister of foreign affairs. was named to confe- with him.
 sort of protocol was presented to senor Cabellero by senor Barait.s and it was stipulated that in consideration of the resumption of diplomatic relations with Venezuela, Colombia must cede to Venezuela the border provinces which the King of Spain recently gave to Colombia in settlement of the controversy between Venezuela and Colombia. 1t was also stipuated Tn the protocol that five political refugees in Colombia be returned to Ven ezuela, and that three other political ref ugees be expelled from Venezuela.
 Insisted on Concessions.
 President Castro insisted through his representative, Baralt, that these conces- sions should be made by President Reyes in settlement of damages Colombia is all 1eegd to have inflicted upon Venezuela by assisting the Matos revolution. which developed near the Colombian border, and was waged chiefly with suppIeis said to have been obtained through Colombia.
 Although Columbia is anxious to re- sume diplomatic relations with Venezuela, and have the embargo raised which Cas- tro has placed on commerce along the eastern boundary of Columbia President Reyes resented the attitude of Castro and authorized Cabellero to withdraw from venezuela at once if he could make such action advisable. Tho Colombian minls- ter and secretary left Caracas several days ago, and went to a watering place near Macuta, Laguayra, where they now are. Castro's government is said to have asked that they remain in Venezuela un- til the relations between the two republics can be discussed more fully.
 Differences Not Settled.
 Last year President Reyes visited Pres ident Castro in Caracas, and 1t was rt.- mored at that time that their differences were partly settled, but such was not the case. President Castro has persistenly refused to permit Colombia to carry on trade except under conditions which are almost prohibitive, through Maraicabo and other ports, at a great loss. This dis elimination against Colombia has almost ruined the trade of one of the richest sec- tions of the republic and has also brought great loss to Venezuelans who depended on that trade. President Castro has disre- garded the request of both Venezuelans and Colombians, however. his purpose be- ing to punish Colombia for its alleged as- sistance to the Matos revolution.
 It is said that 5enor Herbosa, the Chil- can minister In Caracas, induced Presi- dent Reyes to send Minister Cabellero to Caracas on the representation that Cas- tro was ready to resume diplomatic rela- tions. Herbosa is also reported to have assured the Castro government that Reyes was willing to cede the disputed provinces if diplomatic relations between Colombia and Venezuela could be renewed. Her bosa denies that he made such representa- lions.
 At present Colombia is in such an ur- settled condition, and its finances are so low, that war seems unlikely, but diplo- mats familiar with South American poli- ties believe the time is not far distant when Colombia will take up arms against Venezuela If the commercial restrictions placed upon the eastern of Colombia by Castro are not modified.