The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-30
REYES ANXIOUS
 FUR AN ANSWER Trying Hard to Keep Co|ombians Quiet Until He is Through CONFERENCE WITH MR. ROOT Question of indemnity Laid Aside for the Present Until the Broader
 Subject of the Treaty of
 1sff Is Settled.
CONFERENCE WITH MR. ROOT

Washington. December 29.-Prepara- tions of the answer of this government to the communication from General Reyes. the Colombian envoy. is progress ing but. 1t is said, that it might not be ready for presentation before Thursday. The death of Mr. Thomas, the transla- tor in the state department, has caused some delay in the work.
 No~intimaglon can be obtained officially as to the character of this governments reply. but. it is said. the continuance of negotiations with General Reyes for some little time is quite likely Ere quent conferences with the officials of the administration have enabled Gen eral Reyes to realize that the United sthmus.
 Indemnity Question Left Open.
 Whether Colombia may hope for relief from congress in the shape of an indem- nifty for the loss she has sustained in the secession of Panama is matter which can be left open for the present it is said, as Colombia and the United States are concerned now with the broad CT question as to the interpretation of the treaty of 1S46.
 Returning a visit of Secretary Root made several days ago, General Reyes called at the war department this even ing and was with the secretary of war for half an hour. General Reyes took oc- casion to reiterate the great pressure he was bringing to bear on his people to re- l..
 ! The secretary fully appreciates the deI- icate position of General Reyes, and 1t Is possible will be able to give him some suggestions that the Coombians may be made aware of the real situation here General Reyes has great admiration for the ability of MT. Root and has expressed his indebtedness both to MT. Root and MT. Hay for the counsel they have given him.
 Deprecates Publication.
 General Reyes deprecates the publica- tions which have apepared purporting to give the substance of his note to this gov ernment. He pronounces them to be in- correct He does not want to discuss the matter at this time. but deemed 1t expedi. ent to make the statement that Colombia. in her initial note. had dwelt upon the principal clauses of the treaty of 1S46 in her opinion the United States has violated.
 
 States will offer, that is regarded as a matter for discussion in future notes. General Reyes has been asked to be ex- | cused from attending the New Years re- ception at the White House, as he Is de- cling all social engagements while he is here. He will request pr. Herran to rep resent his government on that day as charge d affairs.
 Heavy Rains in Panama. Panama, December 29.-Heavy rains have been falling here since Sunday, causing severe damage to the telegraph lines. No news has been received from Los Santos of Cheyquey province. From other provinces confirmation has been | received of the overwhelming triumph of the mixed candidates proposed for mem bership in the constitutional convention by the patriotic committee, which, in se- lecting them, endeavored to choose men favoring the ratification of the canal treaty Dr. Amador is the most popular candidate.