The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-11
THE WARNING
TO COLOMBIA
It's Politicians Not in the Habit Of
Acting Promptly and in
.5 Good Faith.
The Leader Of the "0uts,' General
Reyes, and the Stand He
May Take.
New York Sun Special service

Herald. says: AS stated In the dispatches, |
the president has instructed the secre- |
tary Of state to notify the congress OF
Colombia, In a polite and diplomatic man
ner, OF course, that the government OF
the United States will not stand any nom
sense in connection with the Panama
canal treaty; that Its terms are offered In
good faith and the consideration Is as
great as this government is willing to pay.
Our minister In Colombia will advise the
leaders OF the opposition that X this
treaty Is rejected or amended the congress
OF the United States cannot be expected
to ratify another, and II they want
canal they must act promptly and in good
faith.
& The politicians OF Colombia are not in
the habit OF acting promptly or In good
faith. and II they do not delay and at
tempt to dicker for better terms 1t will
be the first time In their history that
they have failed to do SO. In a recent
letter I explained the arguments that
were being used In favor OF delay. the
chief one being that the French conces-
sion was unlawful1y granted and is there
fore void. and, If not void. will expire
in two years, when Colombia can make
better terms with the United States be-
cause our government will then have
nothing to pay the F'renchnen. The re-
mainder Of the opposition Is based upon
the hope that the present officials of the
Colombian government may be defeated
for reelection in the near future and
the opportunity and responsibility OF
handling the $1o,00O,ooo that Is coming
from the United States. The leader Of
the ''outs" is General Raphael Reyes, the
designado secundo, or second vice prest-
dent, Colombia, like several Of the South
American republics, having two.
| Reyes is a strong man-one OF the
- - <l>4 ash {s,
has q reputation for patriotism and hon
esty much above that of the ordinary
Colombian politician. He has held sew
eral important political positions and has
always administered his duties with abil-
ity and integrity. He Is a man OF good
education, and unlike most Colombian
politicians, has travelled considerably In
Europe and the United States and knows
something of the outside world. The
average official of the Colombian govern
/ ment considers Bogota the finest city In
| the universe, and congratulates himself
! that the entire world Is watching with
eager eyes whatever happens In that lit
tie pocket in the Andes.
General Reyes Is not SO narrow minded
or provincial, and is perhaps the superior
of any member Of the present adnainistra-
ton at Bogota. He is q strong believer
In the canal and in the theory that 1t
ought to be built and controlled by the
4 United States, but at the same time he
is the rival and enemy of President Mar
Irouuin. and does not approve of the man
ner In which the latter came into power
IDr San Clements was elected president
ltDr. Marroquin first vice president and
u General Reyes second vice president. Ear,
lily In the recent revolution President Sar
X Clemente, who is 81 years of age, was
! Frequently advised and even requested t.
: lresign, but no declined to do so, and finally
n upon the advice of a physician. who 1:
i supposed to have been acting in the In
l tercst of Marroq1,in, he was persuaded tt
> retire to his estates In the country for {
! vacation. Under the constitution DR.. Mar
government. It Is charged that the lat
tier. having succeeded in getting the pres
, ident away from the capital. took steps t
. see that he did not come back. andzsha
! since been exercising power.
o General Reyes, next in succession, dit
? not approve the methods by which tn
change was brought about. and 1t wa
GENERALLY expected that he would join tn
lrevolutio1ists and become their leader
(which might have made the movement
!, lsuccessful; but for sufficient reasons Reye
refused to take up arms, and In the IA
TOT 1901 accepted from President Mario
Iuuin an appointment as delegate to tn
il which was held in the City Of Mexico A
4 the same time he was comm issioned en-
a voy extraordinary and minister, plenipo
I Tertiary to the republic Of Mexico, Wher
n he has been residing until q few. month
E ago, WITHOUT taking apparent interest i
: the revolution that has devastated hi
q country, it having been generally under
il stood that Reyes remained in Mexico i
4 order to keep out OF the revolution. be
4 cause If he went home he would be force
Z into it, and Marrouuin, understanding hi
/. feelings, gave MIN an excuse for leavin
the country without dishonor.
= Being elected to congress, however, Gen
: eral Reyes could no longer remain away
: and has returned to Bogota, where he wi
!, no doubt exercise more influence con
: corning the disposition Of the treaty tina
any other person in Colombia, the presi
:. dent not excepted. His movements ar
Z watched with the greatest anxiety, 'becaus
!, in this emergency his official position, hi
= popularity with all factions, his ability an
{ reputation for unselfsh integrity, will en-
able him to control the congress and
secure the defeat or tho ratification OF tn
4 treaty. Az have already said, Generz
j Reyes Is in favor OF having the canal bui
by the United States, but he does nc
Iapprove Of giving his enemy and riv;
6 II nn0 non To sreY,d. ; RI aEE