Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-30
Gen. Reyes Has Not Been Pre-
sented at State Department,
NO PROPOSAL MADE
ACTION WILL BE GOVERNED BY
THE SENTIMENT He FINDS.
Familiarizing Himself With Every
Feature of the Isthmian Canal Cues
tion-Conferring with DR.. Herran.

OF extreme interest to Gen. Rafael Reyes,
Colombia's special envoy to the United
States are the many kilograms which
poured into his hotel yesterday from all
parts of the United States regarding his
declaration that he was heartily in favor Of
Colombia granting to the United States the
canal concessions free of cost to convince
the American people of the patriotic mo-
tives which inspired the Colombian govern
n1ent. To the question whether he he's
made this offer in the form of a definite
proposition to the Washington government
Gen. Reyes replied that he has made no
proposition yet and that he cannot dis
cuss the official character of his mission,
which is of the most confidential nature
He has explained to DR.. Herran, the Co
lombian charge. that his conversation in
which he outlined his views on the canal
question cannot embarrass the Colombian
legation for the reason that 1t was cor
versatiOn and not an ofnclal statement u
his plans here.
Quietly Shaping His Course.
Whether a proposition along the lines
which Gen. Reyes offers will be laid before
the Washington government at this time
Gen. Reyes still feels it would not be proper
to state. 1t may be said. however, that
Gen. Reyes policy will necessarily be shap-
ed by the sentiment which he finds here
For this reason the kilograms of yesterday
showing the widespread interest in the IDEA
which Gen. Reyes himself favors will have
an important bearing on his mission.
Before his conference with DR. Herran TO-
day Gen. Reyes said that he was still snap
ing his course here. He spent the DAY
quietly yesterday, with the exception or a
call at the Chilean legation ana CONFER
ences with DR.. Herran. He said ne expect
lott
Secretary Hay whenever an appointment
could be arranged. Having expressed his
own views on the canal question ana nav
ing announced the extraordinary powers
which he bears, Gen. Reyes VIII not dls-
cuss his plans further at this time
Conferring With DR.. Herran.
As preliminary to any action whatever
Gen. Reyes is famliarizing himself thor
oughly with every feature of the isthmian
question about which DR.. Herran is able to
give him information. There are many an
tecedent circumstances bearing on the ne
gotiation of the defunct -Hay-Herran con-
vention of which it is desirable that Gen.
Reyes shall have knowledge before he pro-
ceeds with his mission. There are also
other fea atures of the situation which have
developed since the general left Bogota
which 1t is desirable shall be fully discussed
with DR.. Herran as preliminary TO map
ping out a plan of procedure. All these
by Gen Reyes and DR.. Herran, and il is
expected that several days Will elapse be-
fore any developments take place
Fresh Of S From Colombia.
1t is learned that Mr.. Beaupre, our min
lister at Bogota. has received several differ
ent propositions from the Colombian gov
ernment since the publication of the last
correspondence, each containing some indi-
rect method of rectifying what the Colom-
bians now regard themselves as the fatal
blunder Of permitting the Hay-Herran
treaty to expire last September.
Mr. Beaupre for his part. is using his best
efforts to make it clear to the Colombian
officials that the treaty is dead beyond res
direction and that he cannot even conduct
negotiations looking 10 the acquisition from
Colombia of Il right of way across the 18TH
mus, located in what is now recognized as
an independent republic. over which she has
no authority. Such exchanges are now
going on in Bogota and will continue for
some time, until Mr.. Beaupre becomes
tired and avails himself of mis- leave of ab-
sence to return to the United States.