The Savannah morning news., 1903-11-21
IS READY TO FIGHT
COLOMBIA WILL NOT SUBMIT so
TAMELY
DECLARES GENERAL REYES.
FAILED IN PANAMA, HE is COMING
TO WASHINGTON.

,,ood Of the Colombian Commission
Will Seek to Establish His COun-
.rv,s Cause at WashingtOn-If He
rails. He Says, There Will BE n
.second Boer War'-Says He Could
March 100000 Men Upon the 18TH
,nians and Subdue Them.
colon Nov. 20.-After much difficulty
,,o Associated Press correspondent
..,,oaaded this afternoon in interview
,ro Cen. Reyes, the distinguished CO.
lorbian soldier, who came to the 18TH
INNS on a peace mission, representing
his government. Gen. Reyes said;
THE day 1 left Bogota, which was
IN the 18th instant, United States Min
tstar Reaupre and Secretary of Lega-
4io,, SNYDER were we'll, though a little
anxious. ] assured your minister that
+o was in no danger and to-day 1 am
ob7e 70 give the same assurance to the
Associated Press. At the time left
Mr. Beaupre was preparing to go down
the river.
This morning Admiral Coghlan In
formed me officially that the United
states would prevent the landing OF
Colombian troops on any part of the
isthrnus. [ promised Admiral Coghlan
that Colombia would take no such ac-
Hon until 1 reached Washington,
whittier 1 am proceeding via Port
Limon and New Orleans.
Says Colombia Will Fight
81 also told Admiral Coghlan that if
nv efforts at Washington failed to
hiring about some arrangement con-
cerning the present situation on the
istbmus. satisfactory to Colombia, the
United States would have to fight the
entire Colombian people, and that 1t
would be a second Boer war.
Il am going to Washington for the
purpose Of doing my utmost to AMIGA
bly, arrange affairs.
Colombia is in desperation. l DOUBT
If the Washington government or Fres-
ident Roosevelt, for whom L have the
highest respect, realizes the seriousness
of establishing this precedent. The
large German colony in Rio Grande DO
Sui. Brazil. is declared to- be inclining
to a revolutionary movement Tor lnde-
pendence, which the success Of Panama
will stimulate.
THE government of Panama is re-
ceiving the sympathy of all South
America, which is fearful OF further
American territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT III
this direction.
"T NAV propose when in Washington
plan contemplating the re-entrance OF
Panama into the Colombian union, ana
the moving of the Colombian capital
10 Panama city. 1 am sure that this
idea will receive the support of all Co
\ lOmbians."
Asked whether Colombian troops
could reach the isthmus by land, Gen.
REYES answered: Eyes, l can get
q hundred thousand men, build roads and
II it we're not for the Americans, could
subdue the isthmus In a fortnight.
win do all can at Washington to et-
feet a diplomatic arrangement, If such
be possible"
Panama Was Obdurate.
The Panamanian commission con-
ferred at length to-day with the CO.
0mban commission, headed by Gen.
Reyes, which arrived here yesterday
from Savanilla on the French steam
er Canada.
The Panamanians refused every over
ture, declaring their position to be IT.
reyocable and declared they would not
receive any further commissions from
republic of Panama.
The Coombians made strong appeals
to the Panamanians to re-enter the Co
lombian republic, promising them con-
cessons and protection. The Pana-
manians unanimously declined every
thing
Some of the Colombians showed ILL
concealed anger, but there was no out
break. Cen Reyes favored the most
friendly negotiations, and the meeting
n passed amicably.
The Colombians appear to be ignorant
OF the true state of affairs on the 18TH
mus, particularly of the rapidity OF
the developments and the friendliness
and the protection of the United States.
they We're informed of the signing OF
Inc canal treaty and Gov. Melendez
communicated to them a message he
mad received from the junta, to the
ERECT that the United States guaran-
iced the sovereignty and independence
OF the republic of Panama. These
lacts opened the Colombians eyes to
the truth
The steamer Canada brought no
m'lIS from Savanilla and newspapers
ana letters from the coast are at this
uI'e difficult to obtain. Reports from
1aI'pQS sources, however, confirm
sIdtrments that the excitement and
tSS'h'ment consequent to the loss of
e lSthmus is subsiding, and that
NrpI"ans are not in danger.
ne Canada sailed late this after
nooN Tor Port Limon. Gen. Reyes and
0Her colombian commissioners were
On board.