The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-11-26
SECOND BOER WAR
GENERAL REYES INTERVIEWED
AT COLON.
Says United States VIII Have to
Fight Colombia Unless Peace
Terms Are Made---GOing to
Washington to See If Some
Agreement Cnnnot Be Reached.

correspondent succeeded this after
noon in interviewing General Reyes,
the distinguished Colombian soldier,
who came to the isthmus on peace
mission representing his government.
General Reyes said:
The day | left Bogota, which was
on the 18th instant, United States
Minister Beaupre and Secretary of
the Legation Snyder were well, though
little anxious. l assured your min
lister that there was no danger, and l
am able to give the same assurance to
the Associated Press. AT the time l
left, Minister Beaupre was preparing
to go down the river.
This morning Admiral Coghlan in
formed me officially that the United
States would prevent the landing OF
Colombian troops on any part of the
isthmus. l promised Admiral Coghlan
that Colombia would not take such
action until l reached Washington,
Whittier | am proceeding, via Port
Limon and New Orleans.
Will Be Second Boer War.
81 also told Admiral Coghlan that if
my efforts at Washington failed to
bring about some arrangement con-
corning the present situation on the
isthmus satisfactory to Columbia, the
United States would have to fight
the entire Colombian people, and that
it would be a second Boer war.
81 am going to Washington for the
purpose of doing my utmost to am
icably arrange affairs.
Colombia is in desperation. l
doubt if the Washington government
or President Roosevelt, for whom l
have the highest respect, realize the
seriousness of establishing this prec-
edent. The large German colony in
Rio Grande de Sui, Brazil, is declared
to be inclined to revolutionary move
ment for independence which the sue
cess of Panama stimulates.
THE government of Colombia is re-
ceiving the sympathy of all South
America, which is fearful of American
territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT in this di-
rection.
Proposes to Move Capital.
81 may propose, while in Washing
ton, a plan contemplating the re-en-
trance of Panama into the Colombian
union and the moving of the Colon
Dian capital into Panama city. | am
sure that this idea will receive the sup
port of Colombians. / do not just
know what my course of action will
be, but l am going to Washington in
the interests of Colombia and of civ
ilization."
Asked whether Colombian troops
could reach the isthmus by land, Gen.
eral Reyes answered.:
Yes, | can get hundred thousand
men, build roads, and, il it were not
for the Americans, could subdue the
isthmus in a fortnight. l would rather
die for the honor and in the defense
of the integrity of my country than
sit with hands folded and see her lose
the isthmus. | will do all | can at
Washington to effect a diplomatic ar
rangement if such be possible / know
the sentiments of my countrymen."
General Reyes today sent a cable
gram to Bogota advising his govern
ment that it was impossible to reach
any agreement with the government
of Panama and hence that Colombia's
relations with that government were
severed and that he, accompanied by
the other commissioners, was proceed
ing to Washington to fulfill his mis-
sion.
Cauca and Antioquia Loyal.
Questioned as to the rumors that
the departments of Cauca and Anti
oquia were anxious to join the repub-
lie of Panama, General Reyes said:
"The report of dissatisfaction in
these departments is not only untrue,
but | am prepared to say the entire
republic is united in it's determine
ton to restore the isthmus to the
union"
General Reyes, who was a candidate
for the presidency Of Colombia, issued
decree dated at Barranquilla, No
vember 16, addressed to the members
of the electoral college at Bogota,
which said:
Having accepted a military mis-.
sion. empowered with all presidential
faculties in almost all departments of
the republic at a moment when my
country is preparing for presidential
election, / deem it my duty to relin.
quish my candidacy. Hence re-
nounce it, irrevocably offering my
service to my country in any other
capacity"
General Reyes attitude Thursday
night, as indicated by his remarks,
was more or less bellicose. Though
still bellicose. he is more hopeful to-