Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 7 February 1890 — SAN BLAS INDIANS. [ARTICLE]

SAN BLAS INDIANS.

Their Country Annexed to the United States—Defying the Colombians. New York dispatch: The Indians of the San Blas coast have annexed themselves and their country to the United States. For many years these Indians have been supplied with merchandise in exchange for cocoanuts by American traders. They have had little communication witli the rest of Colombia and have lived under tribal rule, never acknowledging the authority of the government at Bogota. The recent seizure of American vessels laden with goods for them and the stoppage of trade with this country by the action of the Colombian gunboat La Popa exasperated them to the highest degree. Several sons of chiefs of the larger tribes have been brought to this country and educated in American schools. When the Indians learned of the action of the Colombian governnfent and the La Popa they decided to become at once American citizens. Soon afterward the La Popa appeared off the coast and a landing party was sent ashore. At once the Indians. ran up the American flag and the firing of a signal gun soon brought a large bocy of arndfed Indians to the spot. They were armed with machet knives and pistols, and completely surrounded the force sent ashore from the gunboat. The chief, stepping out before his men, delivered an address to the Columbian commander, in which he asserted that the San Blas Indians were Americans and would fight under the American flag. The forces from the gunboat were ffirected to return immediately . aboard the vessel or suffer the consequences. The Colombian commander had no alternative. so he and his men boarded the vessel and steamed down the coast. A second landing was made and the Indians once more assembled in force and declared themselves Americans. They demanded the return of the Colombian forces to the La Popa. The Colombians retired on board and the La Popa sailed away. There are said to be 30.000 Indians in the San Bias district and the attempt by the Colombian government to subdue them would be fraught with great expense and difficulty. They are a brave and hardy race. Mr. Gladstone’s Manifesto. London cable: Mr. Gladstone’s usual circular to. his supporters in the House of Commons just before the opening of the session of Parliament is published. He says the of public affairs is not without some peculiar features, and that the questions to be considered at the opening of the session may be of pressing interest. The wording of the circular is unusual, and ■is taken to indicate an early discussion of the Pigott letters and other matters of vital importance to the Liberal and Home Rule members.