The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-06-20
COLOMBIAN
CONGRESS
Meets Today to Con-
slider Canal Treaty.
MUCH OPPOSITION MANIFEST
Many Fear 1t Will Mean the Absorp-
ton of Republic by United
States.


Herald. says: AS stated in the dis
patches, the president has instructed
the secretary OF state to notify the
congress Of Colombia in a polite and
diplomatic manner, of course. that the
government of the United States will
not stand any nonsense in connection
with the Panama canal treaty; that
its terms are offered in good faith and
the consideration is as great as this
government is willing to pay. Our
minister in Colombia will advise the
leaders of the opposition that if this
Greatly is rejected or amended the con-
gress of the United States cannot be
expected to ratify another and if they
want a canal they must act prompt
y and in good faith
The politicians of Colombia are not
in the habit of acting promptly or in
good faith, and if they do not delay
and attempt to dicker for better terms
it will be the first time in their his
cory that they have failed to do so. In
a recent letter | explained the argu-
ments that were being used in favor
OF delay, the chief one being that the
French concession was unIaWfuIly
granted and is therefore void. and, if
not void. Will expire in two years.
when Colombia can make better terms
with the United States because our
government Will then have nothing to
pay the Freedmen. The remainder
OF the opposition is based upon the
hope that the present officials Of The
Colombian government may he defeat
ed for r2-e,ec. ion il the near future
and that ne outs MAJ set in" and
have the government and responsible
ty of handing the $1OOO0.O0O thai is
coming from the United States. The
leader of the outs" is General Ra-
phael Reyes, the designadO secundO.
or second vice president. Colombia.
like several Of the South American re
publics, having two.
Reyes is a strong man-One OF the
/ ablest and of the best in Colombia. He
has reputation for patriotism and
honesty much above that of the or
binary Colombian politician. He has
held several important political posi-
lions and has always administered his
duties with ability and integrity. He
IS man OF good education. and I'M
like most Colombian politicians, has
travelled considerably in something of
the outside world. The average Off
c1al OF the Colombian government
considers BOgOta the finest city in the
universe, and cOngratulates himself
that the entire world is watching with
eager eyes whatever happens in that
little pocket in the Andes.
General Reyes is not so narrow
minded or provincial, and is perhaps
the superior of any member of the
present administration at BOgata He
is strong believer in the canal. and
in the theory that it ought to be built
and controlled by the United States.
but at the same time he is the rival
and enemy of President MarrOuuin.
and does not approve of the manner in
which the latter came into power. DR..
San Clemente was elected president.
DR.. Marroquin first vice president and
General Reyes second vice president
Early in the recent revolution PreSi-
dent San Clemente. who is 81 years of
age, was frequently advised and even
requested to resign. but he declined TO
do so, and finally, upon the advice of
a physician, who is supposed to have
been acting in the interest of Mario
Quin he was persuaded to retire to his
estates in the country for a vacation.
Under the constitution Dr.. Marroquln
| took his place at the head of the
government. 1t is charged that the
latter, having succeeded in getting
the president away from the capital,
took steps to see that he did not come
back and has since been exercising
power.
General Reyes. next in succession,
did not approve the methods by which
the change was brought about. and
it was generally expected that he
would join the revOlutiOnists and be-
come their leader, which might have
made the movement successful; but
for sufficient reasons Reyes refused to
take up arms, and in the fall OF 1901,
accepted from President MarrOquln
an appointments as delegate to the sec
ond international American confer
ence. which was held in the City of
Mexico At the same time he was
commissioned envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipotentiary to the
republic of Mexico. where he has been
residing until a few months ago. with
out taking apparent interest in the
revolution that has devastated his
country. it having been generally I'M
derstood that Reyes remained in
Mexico in order TO keep out of the
revolution. because if he went home
he would be forced into it, and Mario
quin. understanding his feelings. gave
him an excuse for leaving the country
without dishOnOr.
Being elected to congress. however.
General Reyes could no longer remain
AWAY and has returned TO POgOta