THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12621, 2 October 1901, Page 5

THE VENEZUELAN TROUBLE.

NEWS BY THE MAIL. (Per Ventura, at' Auckland.) SAN FRANCISCO, Oct, 12. The Colombian Delegation at Washington has been informed by. telegram that the Venezuelan fleet is bombarding the Colombian port of Rio Hachai. It is also learned that, the Colombian Government has just purchased 35,000 Mauser rifles and five, million cartridges in Paris. This has caused an impression abroad .that Colombia is preparing for war, though the Colombian Minister at Washington declares that his country continues to be pacific and strictly neutral, condemning the rebel invasiou into Venezuela. A number of people arrived at New Orleans on Sept. 7 from Colombian ports. They thought it prudent to leave until the revolution is over. They say that, the populace of the country is practically under arms. No battle lias yet been fought, but only minor skirmishes. The armies are facing each other, and a battle is expected soon. Tlie unanimous sentiment of tire refugees is that the Revolutionists will win. Their forces are better armed and: equipped, and are composed of better soldiers than the Govemmerit troops. The latter consist mainly of Indians recruited from the salt factories, a Government monopoly. T'he Regulars are lukewarm, and will not oppose the Revolutionists, and the Government, at least around the Isthmus, is dependent upon the Indians. The headquarters of' the Government troops is at Colon. The Revolutionists have their headquarters at Cocio, forty miles away. An airmy of 5000 planters, merchants and others anxious to overthrow the Government, which lias not only tion, but lias got the country.intb;trouble with its neighbours, is The wives a.tid daughters of the: Revolutionists are with them, and are performiT(«xnicke ; t and other duties, declaring ready to serve in the rank's if necessary. The Revolutionists are-v .wearing .tie same uniform as the'. Government troops, but wear red scarves' around their hats. Both parties are handicapped by. lack of vessels. Simultaneous 'attacks arc expected at Panama and Colon.

It is not yet decided at Washington whether the trouble is to be. treated as a civil uprising or a foreign invasion;. In the former case, the action of the United States will be restricted to keeping the Isthmus open for traffic. In the latter, .it may be necessary to uphold tire guarantee of Colombia's sovereignty of the Isthmus.

All Governmental, systems of communication are delayed or interrupted, hence it is impossible to secure reliable news of . the situation. It is certain, however, that tire entire South American frontier is in. turmoil, and that a crisis is near. Mail advices from Pa.nama* state that the revolution has resolved: itself, after nearly two years, into a struggle between the Liberals and Conservatives of four sister Republics, allied in their history and kindred, in climate, race and tongue. Evidences of wa>r are en, every side. Fields have been devastated, and brother is pitted against brother, and friend against friend. Bands of armed.men occupy every highway, and traffic is at a standstill. Panama •has become ai vast barrack. Most of the soldiers .'arc tiny of- physique and dark of ■skin. Some are of Indian caste, and •many are mere boys, 'scarcely able to carry their guns.-, The- British cruiser "Phffiton, just arrived at Esquimau!!'-, after some months cruising in the vicinity, reports terrible conditions at Panama. Some officers visited the prison, where' a large, number of insurgents were held, and saw prisoners dying in heaps because of the 'unsanitary conditions.