The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-12-01

COLOMBIAN WOMEN
WOULD SELL GEMS
TO EQUIP THEIR ARMY FOR
WAR
Can Raise a Force OF
100, 900 Men.

Gould March II Through the JungIes to
Panama in Three Weeks-Oeny That
impossible Barriers Exist Between
Colombia and Panama.
Washington, Nov. 26.-"The women
of Colombia will sell their jewels to
equip our army should it come to war.
We will raise force of one hundred
thousand men, and can march 1t
through the jungles Of Panama in
three weeks"
These words, In substance, are the
remarks of the commissioners from
Bolivar, who are in the city awaiting
the arrival of General Reyes, the po-
lice commissioner from Bogota, who
reached New Orleans today from Costa
Rica.
Emphatic denial Of the statement
that Colombia and Panama are separ-
ated by barriers impossible for troops
was made by these representatives of
one of the states of the United States
of Colombia, and they confidently de-
clare that Colombian army fully
armed and equipped, could pierce the
jungles that divide the states without
any great difficulty. This is proved
they say, by the fact that several ex-
petitions have made the trip success
fully.
I'VE do not want war;" say the COM
missioners, but If General Reyes mis-
sion fails, there seems to be no other
alternative"
GENERAL REYES TALKS.
New Orleans, Nov. 26. General
Rafael Reyes, heading the Colombian
peace commissioners, accompanied by
General Pedro Osonia, Attorney Lu-
Gus Cabellro and Jorge Holguin, sec
retary of the commission reached here
today on the American steamship Bev-
erly from Port Limon. Costa Rica, en-
route to Washington, d. c., to meet
President Roosevelt for possible set
tlement of the dispute over Panama.
At first they were averse to saying
anything aboK their visit even hesitat-
ing to admit their identity. They were
therefore shown no attention and the
Colombian consul, Senior Delgado did
not know of their arrival until late in
the day.
In the afternoon General Reyes con-
sented to talk:
1--WE simply want the United States
to keep their hands off," he said, "and
observe faithfully the terms of the
treaty Of 1886. The issue is purely
domestic one and calls for no outside
Intervention.
"The fight is ours, between patriot
ic Colombians and unpatriotic Colom-
bians and II we are permitted to ex-
ercise our rights we will crush the in
surrection, take back our rightful
property, the Panama canal. and es-
tablish peace on a firm footing not
only on the ishthmus but throughout
the republic.
THE Panama canal is as much ours
as the harbor of New York is that of
the United States. The whole scheme
in Panama was hatched by few hot
heads and robbers wo seek to get pos
session OF q valuable assest of Colon
bia, the most valuable strip of land In
the western hemisphere.
II am personally acquainted with
President Roosevelt and hope to find
him willing to extend the hand Of JUS
tice to us. We will cndeavor to pre-
vail upon him to withdraw the strong
protecting hand of the United States
which stands over the rebels so we can
administer the punishment which is
justly due. 'N',
-
I'VE cannot fight the United States
but we can and will crush the insur-
rectiOn whether the United States re-
cedes from the position or not, and ev-
cry traitor will be properly disposed
of. II the United States does not re-
cede. our task will be little harder
but 1t will be accomplished. The Co
lombians are united and will uphold
the honor of their country"