Evening journal., 1903-11-21
COLOMBIA
WILL FIGHT
Says Panama Must Return
to Union or War Will
Follow
COUNTRY is IN DESPERATION
Colombian Commission Coming to
Washington to Amieably Arrange
Affairs-Have Plan to Make Panama
City Capital Of Colombia.

Colon. Nov. 21.-After much din
Guilty a correspondent succeeded in in
terviewing General Reyes, the distin
guished Colombian soldier, who came
to the Iethmus on a peace mission
representing his government. General
Reyes said:
"The day left Bogota, which was
on the 11th instant. United states Min
lister Beaupre and Secretary Of Lega'
ton Snyder we're a little anxious.
assured your minister that he was In
no danger. and today am able to give
the same assurance.
Admiral Coghlan informed me on
cially that the United States would
prevent the landing Of Colombian
troops on any part OF the Isthmus.
promised Admiral Coghlan that Co
lombia would not take such action un.
til reached Washington, whittier
am proceeding via Port Limon and
New Orleans ! also told Admiral
Coghlan that II my efforts at Washing.
ton failed to bring about some arrange
ment concerning the present situation
on the Isthmus satisfactory to Colon
bia the United States would have to
fght the entire Colombian people and
that II would be a second Boer war
Il am going to Washington for the
purpose OF doing my utmost to amlca'
bly, arrange affairs.
Colombia is in desperation. / doubt
II the Washington government OF
President Roosevelt, for whom have
the highest respect, realizes the seri'
BUSINESS of establishing this precedent
The large German colony In Ric
Grande do Sui, Brazil, is declared tc
be inclining to revolutionary move
ment for independence which the sue
cess OF Panama will stimulate.
/ 81 may propose when in Washington
J a plan contemplating the reentranc'
= OF Panama into the Colombian unioi
and the moving Of the Colombian cap
{ tai to Panama City. l am sure tina
this idea will receive the support Z
all Colomblans.
Asked whether Colombian trooT
could reach the Isthmus by land. Gel
eral Reyes answered:
'Yes: I can get 100000 men, bull
roads and. II II we're not for the Amer
leans. could subdue the Isthmus in
fortnight I would rather die for tn
J honor and in the defense of the in
p tegrity OF my country than sit will
hands folded and see her lose thu
1sthmus. / will do all | can at Wash
ington TO effect a diplomatic arrange
ment II such be possible. know th'
sentiments Of my countrymen."
General Reyes sent a cablegram L
Bogota advising his government tina
Il was impossible to reach any agree
ment with the government Of Panama
and hence that Colombia's relation
with that government were severed
and that he. accompanied by the othe
commissioners. was proceeding L
Washington to fulfill his mission.
General Reyes, who was a candidate
for the presidency Of Colombia, issue,
n decree dated at Barranquilla, No
vember 16. addressed to the member
. OF the electoral college at Bogota
which said:
Having accepted a military mis-
sion, empowered with all presldentia
faculties in almost all departments o
the republic at moment when m
country is preparing for presidents
election, I deem it my duty TO relir
quIsh my candidacy. Hence I renounc
Il irrevocably. offering my services I
my country in any other position"