Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-22
DIPLOMATS AT WORK
Powers Strive to Prevent
 War With Colombia
BOCOTA MUST EXPECT NO SYMPATHY

Reyes Has Been Told That His Cow.
 ernment Cannot Depend on Euro
 penn Powers to interfere, as
 They All Want the Canal.
 WASHINGTON, Dec. 22.-Diplonat- ic pressure is being brought to bear on Colombia by several European pow CTS to prevent war between that coun- try and the United States. The first step in this direction already has been taken by several foreign powers through their representatives here, who have informed General Rafael Reyes of the futility of any attempt by Co Iombia to retake Panama, declaring that 1t will result only in precipitating the Bogota government into war with the United States, and have said to him that the result of such a cataStro- phe Colombia herself must realize. If this is not sufficient the representatives of these countries at Bogota will ba 1n- structed to inform President Marro- Quin that Colombia can expect no sym pathy from the European powers in any move she may make on Panama, which would inevitably involve her in
 
 The members of the diplomatic corps have been informed by General Reyes himself that he fears he can with diff culty check his people much longer. General Reyes is not talking for publi- cation, but to several European ambas- sadors he has confided his fears with frankness and has said that he is doing everything in his power to prevent an outbreak before the conclusion of his mission, but that, although his influ- ence 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.
 Realization of the true situation, it Is said, will not prevent General Reyes from calling on the United States for a reference to The Hague of several of the questions at issue. It is on this point that European diplomats have told General Reyes that 1t is expecting too much to expect this government to submit any phase of the Panama mat ter to The Hague. Several ambassa- dors have earnestly advised the gen eral to impress on his people the fact that Europe wants the isthmian canal and that Colombia can expect no sym pathy from that quarter. It has fur ther been pointed out by these diplo- mats that the proffered sympathy of several South American republics can avail Colombia nothing in the event of war with the United States.
 It is hoped that the receipt of this news in Bogota will do much to calm the feeling there and hold the Colom- 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 sympa- thy for Colombia or as due to other than a desire to protect the interests of their financiers, who are the largest holders of government bonds. It is said here to be unlikely that our naval commanders in isthmian waters will go to the extent of dislodging the Co., lombian force, numbering 100 men, that has landed on the island of Pines. On this point, however, the policy of the government has not been definitely | decided