Evening journal., 1903-12-24
GENERAL REYES
IS FOR PEACE
Cables That War With
Panama Means War With
United States
HIS NOTE TO HAY NEARLY READY

Washington. Dec. 24.-"war on Pan
anna means war with the United
States" is the substance Of cable
grams which General Rafael Reyes
the Colombian minister Is sending "a
the Bogota government and to his
more influential followers throughout
Colombia. Realizing the gravity of the
situation. General Reyes is endeavor
ing to bring the Colombian people
face to face with the situation as he
knows II here He is convinced that
the United States will not permit q
Colombian army to land within the ter
ritory Of Panama.
The note Of General Reyes to the
state department. although not YET
tled, is nearing completion. It Is ex
pected that the note will be presented
within the next few days, and that
General Reyes will then return home
at once unless he has reason to expect
an answer favorable to at least some
Of his suggestions.
Heretofore General REYES has not
been in any hurry to complete his mis-
sion in Washington. thinking that In
the meantime the war feeling in Co
lombia would subside. Dispatches
however. which he has received from
President Marroquin and from inhuen
tial Colombians have caused him 10
hasten his work. and it is his present
intention TO return to Colombia and
assumespersonal command Of the army
as soon as he has filed his statement
at the state department In Colombian
quarters II is pointed out that unless
General Reyes returns the war party
in Bogota will gain the upper hand
and his hitherto predominant inau
ence there will be seriously injured.
Rear Admiral John G. Walker. re
tired, called upon President Roosevelt.
and explained conditions on the 18th.
mus of Panama when he left there a
week ago, his conclusions being that
these were very satisfactory. The ad
miral had a double mission; first. to
look into the condition of the plant
and properties of the Panama Canal
company and the exact amount OF
work so far accomplished by the engi.
neers who are operating under the
agreement made last spring between
the United States government and the
Panama Canal company.
He informed the president that In
his opinion it would be expedient to
leave TO the marines the protection OF
the Republic OF Panama, and that Il
/ was unnecessary TO increase the force
Of marines already In Panama OF in
Isthmian waters. Regarding the health
Of the marines. Rear Admiral Walkei
told the president that It could scarce
ly be better. He said that while IN,
marines were welcomed and theii
presence realized to be for the bes
interests of the republic, the sending
of regular troops might cause a feel
ing Of uneasiness.
Despite the peaceful reports made
by Rear Admiral Walker. the prob.
ability is that two more battalions OF
marines will sail Monday on the Dixie
from Philadelphia for Colon. It is
felt at the navy department that II
viii be well to have a sufficient force
in Isthmian waters TO permit Of fre.
quent reliefs for the force ashore. Be
tween now and Monday the question
win be definitely decided The Official
announcement is made that General
Elliott commandant Of the Marine
Corps, will go to the Isthmus. as the
administration rvfchas hin, 20 r,oI-o %
thorough inspection Of conditions
there, both from military and sani.
tary standpoint.