WAR ON AMAZON

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 38, 15 February 1933, Page 9

WAR ON AMAZON

"COLOMBIA--AND'■ PERU

AFTER CENTURY OF PEACE

FRONTIER RIVALRY

United Press Association—By Electrle TeW graph—Copyright.' , )Received February 15, 10- a.m.)' J BOGOTA, February 14.-, Ending a century of peace, hostilities broke out on Tuesday between the Colombian and Peruvian forces in. the frontier region of Leticia, a post on the Upper Amazon, to which both countries lay claim. General Alfredo Vasques Cobo, commanding the Colombian forces, reported, that Peruvian aeroplanes bombed the Colombian gunboat Cordoba in the Pa-, tumayp River, the first bomb dropping into Brazilian waters. The Colombian, squadron took to the air, and after a brief, violent fight the Peruvian forcft retired, so the commander said. .-■- v 1 Last September Perfivian nationals seized the city of Leticia, which had been ceded to Colombia by Peru. Colombian troops later restored Colombian rule, arid that country rejected Peruvian overtures for a discussion on the ground that no international issues were in-i volved. The appointment followed of a Commission headed by Senor Victor Maurtua, who was charged with, the duty of investigating the incident for Peru. The, Commission described the affair ias "an uprising' ,' in a^frontier town,'' and -while admitting that the Peruvian Government was not strictly involved, declared that the uprising,' which had not resulted in violence, had not caused bloodshed, and had done no . material damage, "should be.adjusted through an agreement made in goodwill between the two Governments,?' as Peru was interested in any matter affecting the frontier. ;■'•'-.'■ This report wis issued in November. No harmony could be. obtained between the two countries, and both be-; gan preparations for war. Early in January four Colombian naval vessels began to steam"' np the "Amazon carrying ; munitions, supplies, and" 1000. soldiers under. General Vasquez Coba.; This was answered by a-concentration : of Peruvian air forces at Xquitos, where 100 bombers were held ready." Then it was reported that the dispute would he referred to Brazil. Pending, the decision of Brazil, it was agreed that that country should occupy and 'administer Leticia, which is close to the Brazilian; frontier. . Colombia, however, refused .• to confirm this repoft^ arid war.preparations went forward. Peru made big purchases of war material, and a further report of a ninety-days' truce was . denied. Three Colombian warships arrived on the.Upper Amazon, and wera to remain there pending peace negbr tiations^ ' / ; ,