Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-12-24
PRESSUREF FOR PEACE
EUROPEAN DIPLOMATS TAKE A
HAND IN PANAMA CASE.
Advise Rosota Government Aealns,
Having Trouble with United States
Colombian Troops Occupy Isle OF
Pines as Base of Observation.


Washington, Dec. 22.-Diplomatic
pressure will be brought to bear upon
Colombia by several European powers
to prevent war between that country
and the United States. The first step
in 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 to retake Panama. de-
claring that it will result in precipi-
tating the Bogota government into war
with the United States, and have said
to him that the result OF such catas-
trophe Colombia herself must realize.
If this is not sufficient the representa-
tives of the countries at Bogota will
be instructed to inform President Mar
roquin that Colombia can expect no
sympathy from the European powers
in any movement she may make on
Panama, which would inevitably in
volve her in war with the United
States.
The members of the diplomatic
corps have been informed by General
Reyes himself that he fears he can
with difficulty check his people much
longer General Reyes is not talking
for publication, but to several Euro
pean ambassadors he has confded his
fears with frankness and has said that
he is doing everything in his power
to prevent an outbreak before the con-
clusion of his mission, but that al
though his influence with the army
is considerable. he is so far away that
it is difficult for him to make this felt
as strongly as if he were on the
ground and in command.
Diplomats whom General Reyes has
approached on the subject say that
what he most fears is the result of
the announcement at Bogota of the
failure of his mission He himself
realizes that the most he can hope
from the government of the United
States is an offer that it will use moral
suasion to prevail on Panama to as
sumo her portion of the Colombian
debt. Further General Reyes has been
told he can expect nothing. II came
to Washington to save what | could
from shipwreck," he said to diplo
mat of high rank
Realization of the true situation, it
is said, will not prevent General Reyes
from calling on the United States for
a reference to The Hague of several of
the questions at issue. 1t is on this
point that European diplomats have
told General Reyes that it is expect
ing too much to expect this govern
ment to submit any phase of the Pan
ANA matter to The Hague. Several
ambassadors have earnestly advised
the general to impress on his peo-
pie the fact that Europe wants the
isthm an canal and that Colombia can
expect no sympathy from that quarter.
1t has been further pointed out by
these diplomats that the proffered
sympathy of several South American
republics can avail Colombia nothing
in the event of war with the United
States.
1t is hoped that the receipt of this
news in Bogota will do much to calm
the feeling there and hold the Colon
bans in check until General Reyes
can return.
Great Britain and The Netherlands
have taken pains to let General Reyes
know indirectly that Colombia reckons
without her host if she interprets their
delay in recognizing the republic of
Panama as an evidence of their symp-
athy for Colombia or as due to other
than desire to protect the interests
of their financiers, who are the largest
holders of government bonds. 1t is
said here to be unlikely that our naval
commanders in isthmian waters will
go to the extent of dislodging the Co.
lombian troops which have landed on
the Isle of Pines. On this point how.
ever. the policy of the government
has not been definitely decided
TROOPS PICK A STRONGHOLD.
Small Force of coombians Moves to
Island of Pines.
Colon, Dec. 22.-Information has
been received here that about 100 Co.
lombian troops have landed at the
island of Pines, northwest of Cape
Tigburn, which is situated at the
western entrance of the Gulf of Da-
rien.
The island Of Pines is in Panama
territory and is the only island along
that coast which is wooded, peaked
with mountains and also we'll watered,
thus Offering every facility for camp
ing and being used as base of OBJ
servation.
1t is significant in this connection
that the United States auxiliary cruis-
er Mayfower left this harbor yester-
day bound in the direction of the ISL
and of Pines. to obtain confirmation
of the report
kIsHlNEFF RIOTERS CONVICTED.
Many Involved in Massacre of Jews
Sentenced to Prison.
kishineff, Bessarabia, Dec. 22.-Two
Russians. named Gnetschin and Mar
osjsik, who have been on trial charged
with murder as the authors of the mas.
sacre of Jews here last spring, were