No. 196.
Mr. Dichman to Mr. Evarts.
Bogotá, August 23, 1879. (Received September 29.)
Sir: From private information received by the Colombian Government it appears that General Guzman Blanco, President of the Republic of Venezuela, who is reported to be in Europe at present, is purchasing ironclad vessels of war and arms in England, with the avowed purpose of going to war with Colombia upon his return to Venezuela.
Although it is thought that in carrying out the hostile designs which are attributed to him he will meet with much opposition in his own country, yet it would be idle to deny that the intelligence is the cause of much anxiety to this government, particularly as Colombia has no navy and her ports are open and defenseless.
This anxiety is also increased by the information which has also been received of the negotiation of a secret treaty between Guzman Blanco and the Government of Ecuador, having for its object an offensive alliance against Colombia. The relations between Colombia and Ecuador are unfortunately of such a nature as to entitle such information, which would otherwise be an absurdity, to careful consideration and investigation.
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The ostensible pretext, which would have to serve as a reason for hostilities between Venezuela and Colombia, is a dispute about boundaries, which has already been brought to the notice of the Department in my Nos. 30, of December 31, 1878, and 38, of January 25, 1879. This government has made several efforts to bring about an amicable settlement of the difference between the two countries, and I am informed that, failing in such amicable efforts for an adjustment of this question, it is prepared to submit the same to arbitration, in order to avoid a war and all its lamentable consequences.
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I am, &c.,