The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-10-18
COLOMBIA APPRAISED
II MINISTER MAY NOW COME DOWN
FROM HIS .HIGH HORSE
The Little Republic Pleased Because
the Retaliatory Proclamation Has
Been AnnulIed-European Crops.

WASHINGTON, Oct. IA sharp diplo-
matte disagreement between the United
States OF Colombia and the United States
OF America has just been brought to a
close. The difference grew out of and has
existed ever since President Harrison, in
March. 1SS2. issued a retaliatory proclama-
ton against Colombia, under the provisions
OF the Mckinley act. because of the lat
ter's refusal to negotiate a reciprocity
treaty with the United States, as had been
done by other Central and South American
countries Senior Hurtado, the m
minister. protested against the proclama-
ton. and after a warm correspondence with
Secretaries Blaine and John w. Foster left
Washington, and has returned but once
since. that occasion being a call on Sec
rotary Gresham. For two years Colon
bias protests have been before the State
Department. Now, however, the new
American tariff does away with reciprocity
and retaliation, so that the retaliatory proc
lamaticn against Colombia Is annulled. As
a result the strained relations between the
countries are ended. and it is thought
Senior Hurtado will again take up his resi-
dence in Washington.
Senior Rengifo has been charge d'affaires
during Mr.. Hurtado's absence. He ex-
presses much satisfaction over the close of
the long controversy, and says there is
much activity in Colombia as a result or
the resumption of m with this coun-
try. The retaliation proclamation entire
ly cut off our coffee trade with this coun-
try said Mr.. Rengifo. but il has quickly
revived now that the United States gives
us equal terms with other countries" The
correspondence Minister Hurtado carried on
with the State Department shows on July
y. 1872. he wrote protesting that the retaIia-
ton proclamation was an "unwarranted
and unjustifiable violation OF the treaty
OF 1916. which assured Colombia against
any higher duties than those levied against
other countries. The Minister added: But
this note is also addressed TO You as a de-
mand for a remedy and reparation for the
injuries which your government has in
ficted and continues to infiict upon our re-
ciprocal through your disregard
for the rights of Colombia and for the CO.
relative obligations incumbent on the
United States under said treaty of 1876"
secretary Foster, who had succeeded Mr..
Blaine pending the correspondence. an
swered that the Minister'S letter contained
unusual and grave charges Mr.. Hurtado
had in the meantime left Washington and
conducted his negotiations from New York
Thence Secretary Foster wrote him, plead
ing automatically that at might have been
better If you could have found it convenient
10 return to Washington and reopen with
me the conference" Mr.. Hurtado contin-
ued. however, to forward his letters from
the Plaza Hotel, New York. When Secre-
tary Gresham became the head of the State
Department Minister Hurtado resumed ne
gotiations here. but without results. The
Minister Is still absent and Senior RengifO
IS charge adj Interim. But now that the re-
tailiatory policy is ended under the new
tariff law the unpleasantness has disap-
peared. and the two countries again enjoy
cordial diplomatic as well as trade rela-
fiOnS