The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-24

difficulty, the Associated Press cor
respondent succeeded this afternoon
in interviewing General Reyes, the dis
tlnguished Colombian soldier who
came to the isthmus on a peace mis-
sion representing his government
General Reyes said:
The day l left BoGota, which was
on the eleventh instant, United States
Minister Beaupre and Secretary of
Legation Snyder, We're we'll, though q
little anxious. 1t assured your minis
ter hat he was in no danger and to,
day l am able to give the same as
surance to The Associated Press that
at the time 1 left, Mr.. Beaupre was
preparing to go down the river.
This morning, Admiral Coghlan
informed me officially that the Unit.
ed States would prevene the landing
of Colombian troops on any part of
the isthmus. L promised Admiral
Coghlan that Colombia would not
take such action unrff 1 reached
Washington, whittier l am proceed
ing Via Port LimOn and New Orleans.
l also old Admiral COghlan that if
my efforts at Washington failed to
bring about some arrangement cx,I
corning the present situation on the
isthmus satisfactory to Colombia, the
United States would have to fight the
entire Colombian people and that it
would be a second BOer war. / am
going to Washington for the purpc-.
of doing my utmost to amicably ar
range affairs.
Colombia is in desperation. u
doubt if the Washington government
or President Roosevelt for whom II
have the highest respect realizes the
seriousness of establishing this prece-
dent. The large German colony in|
Rio Grande do Sui, Brazil is de-
clared to De inclining to a r~evolution-l
airy movement for independence
which the success of Panama will
stimulate. The government of Pant
anna is receiving the sympathy of all
South America, which is fearful of
further American territorial aggrand-l
izement in this direction.
Il may propose lei in Washing
ton a plan contemplating the re-en-i
trance of Panama into the ColOm-I
bian union and the moving of the|
Colombian capital to Panama City. II
am sure hat his idea will received
h support of all Colombians.
Asked whether Colombian troops!
could reach the istFIn1u by land,
General Reyes answered.: Yes, II
can get a hundred thousand men.
build roads,, and, if it were not for
the Americans could subdue the 18TH
mus in a fortnight. / will do all II
can at Washington to effect a diplo-I
matte arrangement if such be pos
sible.
Colon, November 20.-The PAM
amanian commission conferred at
length today with the Colombian
commission, headed by General Reyes
which arrived here yesterday from
Canada. The Panamanians refused
every overture. declaring their posi-
ton to be irrevOcable and declared
they would not receive any further
commissions from Colombia. unless
they recognized the republic of Pan
anna.
The Colombians made strong APP
peals to the Panamanians to re-enter
the Colombian republic. promising
them concessions and protection. The
Panamanians unanimously declined
everything. Some of the COlOmbianS
showed il~l-concealed anger but
there was no outbreak. General
Reyes favored the most friendly ne
gotiations and the meeting passed
amicably.
The Colombians appeared to be rs
norant of the true state of affairs on
the isthmus, particularly of the rap
idity of the developments and the
friendliness Of the protection of the
United States. They were informed
of the signing of the canal treaty and
Governor Melendez communicated to
them a message he had received
from the junta to the effect hat the
United States guaranteed the SOW
ereignty and independence of the re
public of Panama. These facts open
Cd the Cnlnm hans eEaS 10 the truth