THE VENEZUELAN DIFFICULTY

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 31 December 1901, Page 4

THE VENEZUELAN DIFFICULTY

A despatch-from Colon on November 20th says;—The Liberals made anattack last night. The Government were unprepared, and very little resistance was offered. After some fighting in some of the streets for an hour and a half, the Liberals gained possession of all the public offices, and the Town Perfect is a prisoner. Twelve men were killed and about thirty wero wounded. Marinos were landed from the U.S. gunboat Maehias at Colon. At Panama Captain Perry, ’ of the battleship lowa, acting under instructions from Washington, refused to permit the railway to bo used for the transportation of armed men. This was necessary under the treaty, which makes ilia United States rc-spon-siblo for the safety of the traffic across the Isthmus. After a conference between the Liberal and Cmservativo representatives and the officers commanding the foreign warships at Colon, it was agreed that the Liberals surrender at Colon to the Government authorities. The Liberal soldiers surrendered to Captain Perry, ho turning them over to General Alban, who guaranteed life and liberty to all men recently in arms against the Con-< servative Government. The, American marines were foil' to guard the piers and r all way station. The Liberal General, De La Rosa, banding Generel Alban bis sword said : “I accept the conditions of this treaty I ■ safeguard the lives and liberty of our in Colon. As for my brother and myself, we decline to accept the conditions of the treaty.” It is not regarded certain if the surrender of the Liberals at Colon will terminate the struggle throughout Colombia. There will be no haste in withdrawing the naval vessels of the United States, The Columbians however, have been assured from Washington that immediately upon the fulfilment of the United States Government’s obligation to keep open the traffic, the American forces will be debarked, and all American authority terminated. This was necessary to allay the fears caused by the reports of American occupation,”