Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-30
May Be Ready Before the
End of the Present Week.
TAKEN UP BY CABINET
CONFERENCE AT THE WAR DE
PARTMENT
Views Of an Official on the Necessity Of
Making Troops Ready for Moving
Costa Ricia Recognizes Panama.

tdTy ray, winch COnil1leS ului " iiAS A'N-AiS'
the President has requested Secretary Root
to assist him and Secretary Hay in the con-
| duct of negotiations with the government
of Colombia in regard to the secession OF
Panama Secretary Root has been espec-
tally charged with the preparation of the
text of the reply of the administration to
the note of Gen. Reyes, the diplomatic rep
resentative of Colombia. The general char
acter OF the answer has been agreed upon
during recent conferences between the
President and Secretaries Hay and Root
but it has not yet been fully prepared. 1T
is understood that the paper will be drawn
up by Secretary Root in view of the indis-
position of Secretary Hay, on lines laid
down by the President and his cabinet at
yesterdays special meeting at the White
House. 80
Gen. Reyes note was in Spanish, and its
translation was intrusted to Mr.. Thomas,
the official translator of the State Depart
ment, who was taken ill and died while en-
gagged in that work. That circumstance
naturally caused some delay in the consid-
Grafton of the subject, but the difficulty has
now been overcome, and the preparation of
the reply is In a fair state of progress,
with Indications that it may be ready for
presen taton to Gen. Reyes before the end
ofthe present week.
Yesterdays Cabinet Meeting.
members We're present except Secretary
Hay, who is i'll: Secretary Shaw and At
torney General Knox. who are out OF the
city. The meeting was one of the longest
held for several weeks, the session consum-
ing quite two hours. At the close of the
meeting the members were not commune
cative. but it was learned that i'll addition
to a discussion of matters relating to Pan
ANA several departmental matters of minor
importance were considered.
While there was a general exchange of
views at the meeting as to the character
of the response to be made to General
Reyes. definite conclusion as to all the de-
tails was not reached, and 1t will be neces
sary to hold another meeting of the ca bfnet
before the response itself can be drafted.
The idea developed at me meeting was
that the response should not be limited to
mere answers to questions brought up by
General Reyes. but should contain a full
exposition of the position of the administra-
ton in regard to the Colombia Panama af-
fair, that Congress and the country Shall
be thoroughly informed of the reasons
which actuated the President and his ad-
visers in determining upon the prompt rec
ognition of the isthrnian republic and the
refusal to permit Colombian troops to land
upon Its territory.
There is easier feeling among the
officials of the government over the ColOm-
bia situation. as Gen. Reyes is using all
his influence on the side of peace. and there
Is reason to believe that Colombia will be
willing to compromise on the basis of GER
tain concessions made by Panama, such as
the assumption by the republic of
part of Colombia's foreign debt. which the
United States government will use its in
1luence to bring about 81
Secretary Root informed Gen. Reyes yes
terday afternoon that the reply of this
government was not ready, but that ii
would be given him soon as possible.
Secretary Root will give the response to
Gen. Reyes when decision as to it's pre-
al shall have been reached
No intimation can be obtained officially
as to the character OF this governments
reply. but it is stated that the continuance
of negotiations with Gen. Reyes for some
little time is quite likely. His frequent
conferences with the officials of the admin
istraton have enabled Gen. Reyes to realize
step on the isthmus. Whether Colombia
may hope for relief in the shape of an
indemnity for the loss she has suffered in
the secession of Panama is a matter which
will be left open for the present, it Is said,
as Colombia ana the United States are now
concerned with the more pressing question
as to the Interpretation of the treaty of
1916.
Gen. Reyes at War Department.
General Reyes called at the War Depart
ment at half-past O'Clock yesterday after
noon and had half hours conference with
Secretary Root just prior to the latter's at
tendance on the cabinet meeting. The two
SFHliSLlti lIdNS iidu SSNCioi Noii-
| ferences in regard to the Panama affair
since Christmas day, when Secretary Root
called on the minister at the New Willard
During his visit at the War Department
yesterday General Reyes took occasion to
reiterate the great pressure he was bring
ing to bear on his people to remain quiet
until his mission is finished The Secretary
fully appreciates the delicate position of
General Reyes, and it is possible he will be
able to give him some suggestions as to how
the Colombians may be made aware of the
real situation here. General Reyes has great
admiration for the ability of Secretary Hay
ard Mr.. Root, and has expressed his indebt-
edness 10 both of them for the counsel they
have given him.
General Reyes deprecates the publications
which have appeared purporting to give the
substance of his note to this government
He pronounces them to be inaccurate. He
does not want 20 discuss the matter at this
time. but deems 1t expedient TO make the
statement that Colombia in her initial note
has dwelt upon the several clauses Of the
| treaty of 1916 which in her opinion the
United States has violated. AS as to what,
| if any redress the United States will offer,
| that is regarded as matter Tor discussion
| in future notes,
Gen. Reyes has asked to be excused from
| attending the New Year reception at the
White House, as he is declining all social
| engagements while here. He will request
| DR. Herran to represent his government on
| that day as charge d dffafres.
Contents of Gen. Reyes Note.
| No intimation of the contents OF Gen.
Reyes note or of the reply OF this govern
| ment is given from any authoritative
! source 1t is known. however, that the ad-
| ministration regards the ratification OF the
| treaty with the republic of Panama as the
| first step to be taken In the entire pending
| matter. What this government may do
| subsequently will be determined, at least
| in part. by the circumstances then sur
| rounding the case. Just now ii is said
| authoritatively. there is nothing in the sit
| uation to arouse serious concern.
| Gen. Reyes has not indicated to Secretary
| Root what his intentions regarding his
| future movements. 1t is presumed he will
| remain In Washington al least until the re-
| ply of the United States to his note shall
| have been presented but. SO far as can be
| ascertained, nothing definite is known as
| to his intentions.
Costa Rica Recognizes Panama.
Senior Calvo, the Costa Rican minister
| here. called upon Acting Secretary Loomis
| at the State Department today and inform
| ed him that his government yesterday for
| mally extended recognition to the govern
| IF Pa