The San Francisco call., 1903-12-22

WASHINGTON, Dec. >21.-Diplomatic
pressure will be brought to bear upon
Colombia by several European powers
to prevent war between- that country,
and the United States. The first step
IN this direction already has been taken
by several foreign powers through
their representatives here, who have in
formed General Rafael Reyes of the fu-
tility of any attempt by Colombia to
rctake Panama, declaring that 1t will
result only in precipitating the Bogota
Government into war with the United
States The result of such a catas-
trophe, they declared, Colombia herself
must realize.
If this be not sufficient, the repre-
sentatives of these countries in Bogota
will be instructed 10 inform President
Marroquin that Colombia can expect no
sympathy from the European powers
in any movement she may make, upon
Panama, which would inevitably in
volve her in war with the United
States.
The members of the diplomatic corps
have been informed by General Reyes
himself that he fears he can with diff
Guilty check his people much longer.
General Reyes is not talking for publi-
cation, but to several European Embas-
sadors he has confided his fears with
frankness and has said he is doing
everything in his power to prevent an
outbreak before the conclusion of his
mission, but that. although his in
fuence with the army is considerable,
he is so far away that it is difficult for
him to make this felt as strongly as if
he were on the ground and in COM
mand.
Diplomats whom General Reyes has
approached on the subject say that
what he most fears is the result of an
announcement in Bogota of the failure
of his mission. He realizes that the
most he can hope for from the Govern
inent of the United States is an offer
that it will use moral suasion to pre-
vail upon Panama to assume her por-
ton of the Colombian debt. Frequently
General Reyes has been told that he
can expect nothing.
Il came to Washington to save what
| could from a shipwreck," he said to
a 0lOlOnndI OIL nigh
CANNOT BE ARBITRATED.
Realization of the true situation, it
is said, will not prevent General Reyes
calling upon the United States for a
reference to The Hague. of several of
the questions at issue. 1t is on this
point that European diplomats have
told General Reyes that it is expecting
- To Glx this CxnUarnn1oTf fO
submit any phase of the Panama mat
ter to The Hague. Several Embassa-
dors have earnestly advised the general
TO impress upon his people the fact
that Europe wants the isthmian canal,
and that Colombia can expect no sym
pathy from that quarter. 1t has been
further pointed out by these diplomats
that the proffered sympathy of several
South American republics can avail
Colombia nothing in the event of war
with the United States.
II is hoped that the receipt of this
news in Bogota will do much to calm
the feelings there and hold the ColoV-
bians in check until General Reyes can
return.
Great Britain and The Netherlands
have taken pains TO let General Reyes
know indirectly that Colombia reckons
without her host if she interprets their
delay in recognizing the republic of
Panama as an evidence of their SYM
pathy for Colombia or as due to other
than O desire to protect the interests
of their financiers, who are the largest
holders of Government bonds.
Official confirmation has reached