River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-11-26
WARNS OF LONG WAT.
Gen. Reyes Says That the CoIombians
viii Follow Tactics of
the Beers.

Colon, Nov. 21-In an interview Gen.
soldier who came to the isthmus repre-
senting his government On peace mis-
sion. said:
Admiral Coghlan has informed me
officially that the United States would
prevent the landing of Colombian troops
on any part of the isthmus. / promised
Admiral Coghlan that Colombia would
not take such action until | reached
Washington, whittier l am proceeding
via Port Limon and New Orleans. also
told Admiral Coghlan that if my efforts
at Washington failed to bring about
some arrangement concerning the pres
ent situation on the isthmus satisfactory
to Colombia the United States would
have to fight the entire Colombian people
and that it would be second Boer war.
| am going to Washington for the pur-
pose of doing my utmost to amicably ar
range affairs.
Colombia is in desperation. | doubt
if the Washington government or Presi-
dent 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
revolutionary movement for independ-
ence, which the success of Panama will
stimulate. The government of Colon
bia is receiving the sympathy of all
South America, which is fearful of fur
Their American territorial aggrandize-
ment in this direction. l may propose,
when in Washington, plan contemplate
ing the remittance of Panama into the
Colombian union and the moving of the
Colombian capital to Panama city.
am sure that this idea will receive the
support of all Colombians. do not just
know what my course of action will be,
but am going to Washington in the in
terests of Colombia and of civilization"
Asked whether Colombian troops
could reach the isthmus by land, Gen.
Reyes answered: Eyes, / can get 100,-
900 men, build roads, and, if it were not
for the Americans, could subdue the 18TH
mus in a fortnight | would rather die
for the honor and in the defense of the
integrity of my country than sit with
hands folded and see her lose the 18TH
mus. will do all i can at Washington
to effect diplomatic arrangement, if
such be possible. l know the sentiments
of my countrymen."
Gen. Reyes sent a cablegram to b.
gotta advising his government that it was
impossible to reach any agreement with
the government of Panama, and hence
that Colombia's relations with that gov
eminent were severed, and that he, ac-
companied by the other commissioners,
was proceeding to Washington to fulfill
his mission.
Gen. Reyes attitude Thursday night,
as indicated by his remarks, was more
or less bellicose Though still belIicose,
he is more hopeful. He seems disturbed,
however, by the rapid march of events
in the United States, and is fearful that
congress may ratify the canal treaty
with the new republic. He appears de-
spondent over the general outlook for
his mission.
/ Colon, Nov. 81. - The Panamanian
commission conferred at length Friday
with the Colombian commission, headed
by Gen. Reyes, which arrived here
Thursday from Savanilla on the French
steamer Canada. The Panamanians re-
fused every overture, declaring their po-
sition> to be irrevocable, and declared
they would not receive any further COM
missions from Colombia unless they rec
ognized the republic of Panama.
New York Nov. 21.-Orders to proceed
to Colon have been given to the COM
manders of the battleships Kearsarge
and Massachusetts,, which are now at the
Brooklyn navy yard. All officers have
been telegraphed for and those who are
here have been told they must remain on
board. Stores and ammunition are be-
ing taken on day and night.