The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-22
Diplomats Inform Gen. Reyes that
Catastrophe Would Follow At
tempt to Retake Panama.
FEARS OF THE. ENVOY
Says He Is Afraid He Cannot
Hold Cclombians in Check
Much Longer.
ALREADY IN PANAMA
Small Party Has Landed on the
Isle of Pines at the Gulf of
Darien Entrance.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 21.-Diplomatic pres
sure will be brought TO bear upon Colombia
by several European powers to prevent war
between that country and the United
States. The first step i'm this direction al
ready has been taken by several foreign
powers through their representatives here.
who have informed Gen. Rafael Reyes OF
the futility of any attempt by Colombia TO
retake Panama, declaring that IL will re-
suit only in precipitating the Bogota gov
ernment into war with the United States,
and have said TO him that the result of
such a catastrophe Colombia herself must
realize. II this is not sufficient. the rep
resentatives of these countries at Bogote
will be instructed TO inform President Mar
roquin that Colombia can expect SYM
pathy from the European powers In any
move she may make on Panama, which
would inevitably involve 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 difficulty check
his people much longer. General Reyes Is
not talking for publication. but TO several
European ambassadors 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 influence
with the army is considerable. he is so far
away that IL is difficult for him TO make
this felt as strongly as If he were on the
ground and i'm command.
Diplomats whom General Reyes has ap-
preached on the subject say that what he
most fears is the result Of the announce
ment at Bogota of the failure of his mis-
sion. He himself realizes that the most he
can hope from the government of the United
States is an offer that it will use moral
suasion to prevail on Panama 10 assume
her portion of the Colombian debt. Fur
ther General Reyes has been told he can
expect nothing. II came to Washington
to save what ! could from shipwreck." he
said to diplomat of high rank.
Realization of the true situation, IL Is
said, will not prevent General Reyes from
calling on the United States for a refer
ence to The Hague of several OF the ques-
tions at issue. II is on this point that
European diplomats have told General
Reyes that it is expecting too much to ex-
pect this government TO submit any phase
of the Panama matter TO The Hague. Sew
eral ambassadors have earnestly advised
the general to impress his people the
fact that Europe wants the isthmian canal
and that Colombia can expect no sympathy
from that quarter. 1t has further been
pointed out by these diplomats that tho
proffered sympathy OF several South Amer
lean republics can avail Colombia nothing
In the event OF war with the United States.
1t is hoped that the receipt OF this news In
Bogota will do much to calm the feeling
there and hold the Colombians in check
until General Reyes can return.
Great Britain and The Netherlands have
taken pains to .et General Reyes know in
directly that Colombia reckons without her
host if she interprets their delay in recog-
nizing the Republic Of Panama as an evi-
dence of their sympathy with Colombia or
as due TO other than a desire to protect the
interests OF their hnanciers who are the
largest holders OF government bonds.
1t is said to be unlikely that our naval
commanders in isthmian waters will 60 to
the extent of dislodging the Colombian
troops which have landed on the Isle OF
Pines. On this point, however the policy
Of the government has not been definitely
decided.