New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-30
PANAMA ACTION STANDS.
NO CHANGE OF FRONT NOW
Secretary Root Takes Mr. Hays
Place an Reyes Negotiations.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU.l

Washington, Dec. 29.-The formal protest of
General Rafael Reyes. which has been filed with
the State Department throws no new light on
the Panama situation. and will result in no
change in the position of this government There
is. in the opinion of the administration. no
ground which arbitration proceedings can
he instituted, nor this country use its good
offices to prevail on Panama TO become respon-
sible for a part of Colombias debt in advance
OF the ratification of the Panama treaty. This.
IN substance, was the decision arrived at by the
President and his Cabinet. after a special meet
ing called at o'clock to-day. and which lasted
nearly three hours, longer, in fact than any pre-
vious Cabinet meeting since Mr.. Roosevelt be-
came President.
An interesting fact which was made known at
the Cabinet meeting that the President had
designated Secretary Root to act for Secretary
Hay in treating with General Reyes thus faciii-
tating the mission of the latter. Secretary Hay
being seriously. though not dangerously i'll.
Although General Reyes's statement was made
in Spanish and it took some time to complete
its translation Secretary Root was able to set
before the Cabinet the arguments advanced by
the Colombian enissary in detail and there was
a unanimous opinion among members of the
Cabinet that the attitude of the United States
called for no reconsideration of it's position as
set forth by Secretary Hay in the statement he
forwarded to Minister Beaupre on November 6.
AS the relations of the United States with Pan
held 10 be those of two independent
nations. it further held by members of the
Cabinet to be obvious that there was nothing
therein which could be properly made a subject
of arbitration between the United States and
Colombia before The Hague tribunal.
While, pending the ratification of the Panama
treaty. on which SO largely depends the value OF
the sthmian right of way, the United States
viii not commit itself to any policy looking TO
the inducement of Panama to assume a part
of the Colombian debt, it was not decided that
a refusal TO do so will be definitely made at
this time. 1t is not improba BILE that. when the
treaty is ratified and the United States is pre-
pairing to pay to Panama the $1OOOO,o00 pur-
chase price. it will also present to the new
republic the claims set forth by Colombia. if so
requested.
The reply TO General Reyes may not be for
mulated for several days and may be submitted
10 the Cabinet before being handed TO the
Colombian representative. but it may be posi-
lively stated that there will be no receding
from the position already taken by this country.
that Panama is an independent government and
that the obligation Of the United States TO pro-
tect the transisthmian highway viii compel this
country TO afford TO Panama such protection
may be necessary from any foreign power which
seeks TO invade the territory of the republic.
Whether Colombia may hope for relief from
Congress in the shape OF indemnity for the
loss she has suffered III the secession of Panama
is matter which can be left open for the pres
enJ, it is said. as Colombia and the United States
concerned now with the broader question
as TO the Interpretation of the treaty OF 1916.
Returning a visit of Secretary Root made sew
eral days age, General Reyes called at the War
Department this afternoon and was with the
Secretary for half an hour. General Reyes took
occasion to tell again of the grea. pressure he
is bringing to bear his people TO remain quiet
until his mission is finished. The Secretary
fully appreciates the delicate position of Gen
eral Reyes and il is possible will be able
10 give him some suggestions as to how the Co
lombians may be made aware of the real situa-
tion here
General Reyes has asked to be excused from
attending the New Years reception at the White
House. He will request Dr. Herran to repre-
sent his government that day as Charge
d'Anaires.