The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-24
EFFORTS TO AVERT WAR
Pressure to be Brought to Bear on
Cslombis by European Powers.
CAN sxsscr NO sYmrArrY

CAN sNhsCI NO ~ WA ~
euorts 10 netaks Panama viii Only
Result In Catastrophe For Colombia.
General Reyes Fears He Cannot
Check His People Much Longer.
Washington. Dec. % Diplomatic
pressure will be brought 20 bear upon
Columbia by several European powers
10 prevent war between that country
and the United States. The first step
I'm 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 Colombia 10 retake Panama. declar-
ing that IT will result only in precipi-
tating the BOgOla government into war
with the United States. and have said
10 him that the result Of such "a
tastrophe Colombia herself must real
iEe II this is not sufficient the repre-
sentatiyes OF these countries at Bogold
will be instructed To inform President
Marroquin that Colombia can expect
no sympathy from the European pow
ers in any move she may make on Pan
ANA which would inevitably Involve
her in war with the United States.
The members of the diplomatic CORPS
have been informed boy General Reyes
- 4 a ff.. ."
check his people much longer General
Reyes is not talking Tor publication.
but to several European ambassadors
he has conhded his fears with frank
ness. and has said that he is doius
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 80
far away that II is difficult for him 10
make this felt as strongly a. II he Were
on the ground and in command.
Diplomatists whom General Reycs
has approached on the subject say that
what he most fears is The result OF loo"
announcement AT Bogota OF the failure
Of his mission. He himself rea.izes
that the most he can hope Tor from
the government OF the United states is
an ofer that it will use moral suasion
10 prevail on Panama 10 assume her
portion Of the Colombian debt Further
General Reeves has been told he can
expect nothing. j came 10 Washing
ton 10 save what could from a ship
wreck" he said to a diplomat OF hich
rank.
Realization Of the true situation. ii
Is said. will not prevent General Reyes
from calling on the United States ior
a reference 20 The Hague OF several
OF the questions at issue. IL u on ms
point that European diplomats hay'
told General Reyes that IT Is expecting
too much to expect this government
10 submit any phase OF the Panama
matter to The Hague Several ambas-
sailors have earnestly advised the gem
eral TO impress on HIS people the fact
that Europe wants the Isthmian canal
and that Colombia can expect no SYM
patty from that quarter II has further
been pointed ont by these diplomat,
that the preferred sympathy OF several
South American republics can avail
Colombia nothing in the event OF war
with the United States.
Great Britain and The Netherlands
have taken pains TO let General Reyes
know indirectly that Colombia reckons
without her host II she interprets their
delay in recognizing the Republic o.
Panama as an evidence OF their sym
pathy for Colombia or as due 10 other
than a desire 10 protect the interests
NJ their fnancicrs. who are the largest
holders OF government bonds.
II IS said here 10 be unlikely that
our naval commanders in lsthmian wa
tiers will go TO the extent OF dislodging
the Colombian troops which have land
ed on the Island q Pines. On this
point. however. the policy OF the gov
eminent has not been definitely ie-
cided