Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-12-03
COLOMb|ANS APPEAL
TO CLEVELAND TO ADVOCATE
THEIR CAUSE FoR OBTAINING
REDRESS.
Petition Signed by Leading Men of
Country at Secret Meeting
Held at New York.
INTERVIEW WITH A LEADER

Cartagena, Colombia November 20.
via New York, December l.-No people
are watching American politics more
closely today than the Colombians.
Ever since the Venezuela boundary
dispute in which Great Britain accept
ed arbitration at the instigaton of the
Cleveland administration, Colombia
has evinced a decided preference in
the matter of party politics in the Unit
ed States. This feeling has been great
ly strengthened in the last few weeks
by the events that have taken place on
the isthmus of Panama and this to
such an extent that leading Colombians
are now turning to the Democratic
party, and to Mr. Cleveland in particu-
lar, for help in the crisis that has be-
fallen the southern republic. This
movement is rapidly assuming definite
shape and in the course of few
days a formal petition, signed by the
400 Or more Colombians residing in
New ork and voicing the popular feel
ing in Colombia, will be presented to
eX-President Cleveland This petition.
or appeal, was drawn up at a secret
meeting of eighteen of the leading
Colombians. held on November 12
i in New York, and has the approval and
Support of the Colombian counsel, Gen.
IRrigafd, in that city, although his Off
fc'al position may prevent him from
Egiving it his signature. The following
His the text Of this remarkable appeal,
(Which is essentially interesting, as
4siying in their own words. and in a
8semi-cfiicial manner the Colombian
sentiment toward the United States in
4the Panama trouble Petition to Cleve-
land:
TO the Rt Hon. Grover Cleveland
Sir: The gentlemen here gathered,
who have had the honor to be admitted
TO your presence, are citizens of the
weak nation that has just received un-
Talr treatment at the hands of the exc
cutlve Of this powerful republic They
AL have unbounded faith in the right
Ae2usness of the American people, and
4s4Shey all know the sound principles Of
a3ustlce that constitute the makeup of
8he stout and sincere heart OF every
lxrue American.
M The offense received is one of those
sAnat has always called for blood in the
NJ #lstcfy OF the world, and perhaps there
re many of our ccuntrymen who, not
aVlng enjoyed the advantages of liv-
ng IN this land of liberty and Justice.
pay think that there must be blood
hep in order to save some honor re-
afdless of the appalling odds against
and Of the complete ruination that
plght ensue; but those who naw come
you, perfectly aware of the fact that
ou are legitimate and great moral
uthority among our own people as
pc higest in the. nation, likewise know
pat nothing is lest as long as this mag !
anlmous and honest people has not
Rnctloned the step which Colombia
as so deeply resented. We are abso-
tely confident that should you advo-
Rte the cause of righteousness and
Fdress from the height Of your gle.
Gus record, but more especially in re-
Rfd to the fair dealing with the weak
outh American nationalities during
e period of your administration,
ere will be no doubt that all those
no today are misguided will at once
nderstand where lies the path ct true
andeur for their country and now
sy 1t will be for this great republic
accomplish the most resplendent act
Justice and redress, setting the most |