The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-28
CANAL SITE FREE.
Proposition Which General
Reyes Brings from Colombia.
Instead of Asking More, She
Now Demands Nothing.
GOOD THING AT THAT
Is the Way the Matter Is
Viewed Now.
Country Is "Afire With Zeal
for the Canal"
Will Put Down Revolution If
Permitted TO Do SO.

Washington, Nov. 2S.-That the re-
public of Colombia grant to the United
States all the canal concessions pro-
vided for in the Hay-Herran treaty
but absolutely free of cost, is the prop
osition which Gen. Rafael Reyes brings
for the consideration of the officials of
Washington. General Reyes arrived
hero at noon today. He was met at
the station by a son of DR.. Herran, the
Colombian charge, and went at once
to his hotel. Later in the day he will
have e conference with DR.. Berran.
General Reyes, talking with a repre-
sentative of the Associated Press about
his mission. said:
You will readily admit the propriety
of my refraining from discussing my
mission. which is of a confidential
character. but of the offers which
Colombia is ready to make desire to
say that my energies and those of my
followers will be devoted to the grant
ing of the canal concessions to the
United States without the payment of
a cent. Even at this Colombia will be
the gainer.''
Are you authorized by President
Marroquin to make this offer to the
Washington government" General
THAT would be divulging my in
structions before 1 have executed
than.
Il can not say more about this now
he replied.
You can further say" continued the
general, that all Colombia is afire with
zeal for building of the canal by the
United States and that the unfortunate
political troubles which were the sole
cause of the treaty's death by the CO.
lombian congress, have entirely disap-
peared. We want the canal and have
come to Washington to see what the
people of the United States are prepared
to accept. 1 come with instruction from
the president of Colombia direct. My
mission in no way interferes with the
negotiations of DIR. Herran, the Colom-
bian charge for whom both my govern
ment and myself personally have the
greatest respect. 1 shall begin daily
conferences with him and we shall
work in entire harmony. DR.. Herran
will go to the state department with me
and present me to Secretary Hay
What is the feeling in Colombia
about the Panama revolution?'
Feeling is running high and there is
Indignation over the events on the 18TH
mus. We can and will put down the
rebellion if not interfered with from the
outside. So tense is the feeling and
national the spirit of determination to
bring the isthmus back into the republic
that President Marroquin will have no
trouble in rAising an rmy twice the size
necessary to put down the disturbance.
the isthmus, the opinion of all advised
persons to the contrary notwithstand-
ing"
What can the United States do now
that treaty has been signed by Secre-
tary Hay and NJ. Buna-Varilla 2"
THAT treaty has not been ratified.
The Colombian givernment does not ask
the United States to aid it in putting
down the revolution on the IsthmuS.
All we ask is to be allowed to conduct
our own affairs free from outside inter-
ference. The Colombian government
can put down the revolution without
violating a letter of the treaty of 1876
I refer to the treaty that we always
have respected and ahered to and not
to the treaty as interpreted in these
later days. If the United States MAIN
tains a neutral position the revolution
will be put down..
When his attention was called to the
reports from Panamanians and other
sources that he had come to Washing
ton to conduct a lobby to defeat the
ratification of the treaty, he said very
empnaticallV;
81 authorize the Associated Press to
say for me at the outset of my visit
that my movements here shall be
strictly in accordance with the powers
with which I am clothed. I shall deal
with the officials of Washington direct,
to whom I bear letters of credence
from the Rogota government am
not here as a private agent. and l shall
ignore such reflections upon my per-
o-5 0fHoioI -oh ha "a