Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-11-30
NO PAY FOR CANAL
COLOMBIAN ENVOY MAKES As
ToNIsHING PROPOSAL TO
UNCLE SAM.
Will Not Ask Cent From the United
States for an Isthmian
Canal
GRAFTERS REFUSE TO HEARToIT

Washington. Nov 30.-General Ra-
fael Reyes and his associates oi the
Colombian peace cOmmiss ion have an
astonishing proposition to make TO
President Roosevelt, the congress and
the people of the United States. It is
that Colombia stands ready to grant
canal concessions to the United States
without the payment of dollar by
this government.
General Reyes explained the defeat
Of the Hay-Herran canal treaty by the
congress at B9gota, saying that the ma
tional pride Of the people had been I'm.
wisely aroused by imprudent politi-
clans and there was an overWhelming
sentiment against ceding to the Unlu
ed States sovereignty over any part of
Colombia's territory.
''All that is changed now,' said Gen.
Reyes. "The people are just as eager
that your government shall build the
canal and maintain sovereignty over
it as the American people seem to bel
They are not seeking American money
and will be very glad to forego all
claims thereto if the United States will
accept their proposition
While General Reyes was thus out
lining the newest policy of the Bogota
government General Bunau-Varilla, the
French canal promoter and speculator,
who represents the republic OF Pana-
ma in a diplcmatic capacity. was bland
ly informing Assistant Secretary of
State Loomis Of the plans of the Pana-
ma patriots who control the govern
ment junta for the distribution OF the
$l0,o00,000 in American gold which
they expect to receive through the gen
erOsity of congress. The president,
Secretary Hay and ether high govern
ment officials have been philanthrop-
cally planning schemes fcr the distr-
button and investment of the money for
the new government calculated to sus.
tain its future credit among the powers
Of the world
They proposed to send 100000 to
Panama to be expended in public i'm
provements cr pocketed by the Pa
triots, as they saw fit, and invest S3,
100000 in United States bonds for the
benefit of Panama. When Dr. ANA.
dor, who hopes to be president of the
new republic, and his associates were
here a short time ago they made it
clear to Bunau-Varilla that they would
not stand for any double-dealing in con-
nectien with the payment of the $10.-
100000 that was to be Panama's share
OF the canal plunder. They said they
wanted it all and wanted it in gold that
will pass current all over the world.
What is the feeling in Colombia
about the Panama revolution?" Gener-
al Reyes was asked.
Feeling is running high and there
is Indignation over the events on the
isthmus. We can and will put down
the rebellion if not interferred with
from the outside So tense is the feel
ing and 50 national the spirit of de-
termination to bring the isthmus back
into the republic that President Mar
roquin 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 treaty has been signed by secre-
tary Hay and M. Bunau-Varilla -
That treaty has net been ratified, |
The Colombian government does not i
ask the United States to aid it in put !
ting down the revolution on the 18th.
mus. All We ask is to be allowed to |
conduct our own affairs tree from ont !!
Side interference. rh+ 3clcmbias GOV.