The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-12-03
OFFERS FREE CANAL
New Proposition Sprung by
Colombian Government.
REYES IN WASHINGTON
Representative from Boeota Makes His
Mission KnoWn-Not a Cent Will
Be Asked for Concessions
for Waterway.

for Waterway.
That the republic of Colombia grant
to the United States all the conces-
sions provided for in the Hay-Herran
treaty, but absolutely free Of cost. is
the proposition which General Reyes,
! envoy of Colombia to the United
States on special mission, brings Tor
the consideration Of the adm4nistra-
ton. General Reyes arrived at Wash.
ington shortly after 9 o'clock 'Satur-
day morning. He was met at the sta
ton by a son Of Dr.. Herrap
General Reyes talked with a repre-
sentative Of the Associated Press
about his mission. He said:
You will readily admit the proprie-
| ty of my refraining from discussing
my mission, which is Of confidential
character, but OF the offers which Co.
lombia is ready to make, desire to
say that my energies and those OF my
fellows will be devoted to the granting
Of the canal concessions to the United
States without the payment OF a cent.
Even at this Colombia will be the
gamer"
"Are you authorized by President
Marroquin to mack this offer to the
Washington government" General
Reyes was asked.
THAT would be ,divulging my in
structions before have executed
them. I cannot say more about this
now" he replied.
"You can further say" continued the
general, that all Colombia is afire
with the zeal for the building Of the
canal by the United States and that
the unfortunate political troubles
which were the sole cause of the trea-
tvs death before the Colombian con-
gress have entirely disappeared. We
want the canal and have come to
Washington to see what the people Of
the United States are prepared to &C.
cept I come with instructions from
the president of Colombia. direct. Ny
mission in no way will interfere with
the prerQgatiye of DR.. Herran, the Co.
Ilombian charge for whom both my
government and myself personally
have the greatest respect. shall be
in daily conference with him."
! "What is the feeling in Colombia
about the Panama revolution "
Feeling is running high, aud there
is indignation over the events on the
isthmus. We can and will put down
the rebellion if not interfered with
from the outside SO tense Is the feel
ing and so national the spirit OF de-
termination to bring the isthmus back
into the republic that President Mar
roouin will have no trouble in raising
an army twice the size necessary to
put down the disturbance. Such an
army can march overland to the 18TH
mus, the opinion Of ill-advised' persons
to the contrary Notwithstanding"
What can the United States do,
now that a treaty has been signed by
Secretary Hay and NJ. Bunau-Varilla?'
s'That treaty has not been ratified.
The Colombian government does not
ask the United States to aid 1t In put
ting down the revolution on the 18th.
mus. All we ask is to be allowed to
conduct our own affairs free from out
side interference. The Colombian gov
ernment can put down the rebellion
without violating letter of the treaty
Of 1916. I refer to the treaty that we
, always have respected and adhered
to, and not to the treaty as Interpreted
in these later days. If the United
States maintains neutral position.
the revolution will be put down."
When his attention was called to the
report from Panamans and other
sources that he had come to Wash
ington to conduct lobby to defeat
the ratification of the treaty, he said
very emphatically:
"I authorize the Associated Press to
say for me at the outset Of my visit
, that my movements here shall be
strictly in accordance with the powers
with which am clothed.
FATALITIES ON THE GRlDlRoN.