The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-12
Ffenchnan Who Represents Panama to Be Full Pledged
 Minister
TlS TOO LATE NOW FOR
 COLOMBIA ID RETREAT
Pfoposed Visit of General Reyes Will Be Without Result-VarilIa Ad- vises Against Allowing Him
 to Land on Panama Soil.

Washington, November n.-An import ant conference was held this afternoon between Secretary Hay and M. Philippe Bueneau-Yarlla, the envoy from Panama at the residence of the secretary for the purpose of considering the opening of negotiations with the republic of Panama for the early conclusion of canal treaty NJ Bueneau- Varilla returned from New York last night The commission which is coming from Panama, the envoy points out, is merely for the purpose of facil- itating the negotiation. M. Bueneau-Var- fila, it is said, has full power to con- duct the negotiations, but in case ques- tion arises on which the opinion of the government is desired, he will refer 1t to the commission and thus avoid the necessity of cabling to Panama.
 Will See the President
 When M. Philippe Bueneau-Varilla came from his conference with Secretary Hay, he informed the Associated Press that he would be received by the President at the White House on Friday at half past nine as minister plenipotentiary and envoy extraordinary of the republic of Panama to the United States. This hour, he said, will mark the passing of the de faeto government to a de jure stage M Bueneau-V Varilla, first will call at the state department on Secretary Hay, who will accompany him to the White House and make the presentation. The ceremony will occur in the blue room.
 The details were arranged at the con- ference this afternoon. M. Varilla an- nounced tonight that he would cable his government advising that 1t decline to allow General Reyes to land unless he Jte. full creJ ntias as Colombias min ser plenpotentiary and envoy extra ordinary to the republic of Panama.
 Colombia Too Late.
 It is stated here on authority that 1t is too late for Colombia to make any ef- fort to resurrect the canal treaty with the United States and beyond preventing a hostile clash between Colombia and the new republic of Panama the proposed visit of General Reyes to Panama will be without result.
 The same authority points out that the United States government having recog- nized Panama as independent state cannot now proceed to negotiate with Co., lombia on any terms for canal rights in a state over which Columbia exercises no political control so any future canal ne- gotiations will be between the United States government and the government of Panama.
 MT. Tower, our ambassador at Berlin, has cabled the state department that he has been requested by Baron Richtshof, the German foreign secretary, to inform the Washington government that the re- port that Germany intended to become in- volved in the isthmain situation is en- tirely without foundation and nothing is known in Berlin of the intention of Co., lombia to appeal to Emperor William for assistance, as was alleged in a recent in- terview by the Colombia foreign consul at New York.
 Question Did Not Exist.
 Mir. Tower adds that he was further assured by the foreign secretary in a most earnest and sincere manner that the ques- ton of Germany's interfering in Panama simply did not exist.
 The statement is authorized that the in- formation conveyed to our ambassador at Berlin was entirely voluntary on the part of the German government as the inter- view of the Colombian consul-general at New York had been ignored here.
 The action of the Berlin government is thoroughly appreciated by the Washing ton government, for although it merely confirmed what the state department al- ready knew. the moral effect of the re- iteration at this time of Germany's friend ly attitude to the Un1ted states, VIII not, 1t is thought be lost on the other powers.
 British Ships Released.
 Washington, November 1.-The state department has been informed that the two British steamships which were de- tained at the port of Buena Ventura by the Colombian government with the inten- ton of using them to transport troops to the Isthmus have been released and have left that port.
 The state department has decided to re- quest the authorities at Panama receive General Refs, who is going to the 18th mus on a peace mission from Bogota. It is estimated that he cannot reach his destination within two weeks.
 The British government knew nothing of the detention of these British vessels until notified by the state department through the embassy here It was the intention of the navy department to have the Colombian authorities informed that no troops could be landed on the Isth- mus from these vessels, but their release and departure from Buena Ventura with the troops made this course unnecessary.