Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-08
OUTLOOK At B0G0TA
Minister Herran Confers With
Secretary Hay.
LATE ADVICES MEAGER
DISPATCHES TO MINISTER BEAU
PRE- HELD UP.
Cause Of Embarrassment to the Admin
Regarding Isth1nian Canal.

conference with Secretary Hay at the
State Department today, at which there
was an exchange of views regarding the
latest developments at Bogota in connec-
ton with the Panama canal treaty, as
shown in the advices received by each since
their latest meeting. These advices are
exceedingly meager owing to certain un-
explained Interruptions to the telegraphic
service with Bogota. 1t is said that Secre-
tary Hay desired information as to the
cause Of these interruptions. but DR.. Her
ran was unable to give 1t, as he was as
much In the dark on the subject as the Sec
retary. Considerable difficulty has been
experienced in cable communications to and
from Minister Beaupre.
For several weeks prior to August 15 the
State Department, 1t seems heard moth
ing from Minister Beaupre in reply to GER
tain cabled instructions concerning the
canal treaty An investigation disclosed
that all of these dispatches reached the
cable terminus at Buenaventura, Colombia.
whence they have to be transmitted to
Bogota overland, a distance of about 400
miles, by the Colombian government.
Dispatches Help Up.
AS soon as this Information was received
by the State Department a test cablegram
was prepared in cipher. giving Minister
Beaupre the numbers of the dispatches
sent him and requesting him to reply in
cipher stating the numbers of those he
had received and the dates when they were
received. 1t seems that this last dispatch
was sent after August Is and that it was
received by Minister Beaupre, who replied
that he had not received the messages sent
between July 25 and August 15. All of
these, 1t is said, reached Buenaventura and
had been turned over to the Colombian au-
thorities to transmit to Bogota.
Causa ~ Enoharra ssranf
The alleged hold-up of these dispatches
has been q cause Of embarrassment to the
administration. and serious trouble may en-
sue if 1t is shown that 1t was the deliberate
action of the Colombian government. 1t is
not believed however. that such was the
case, as such a course is incomprehensible
between friendly governments engaged in
amicable negotiations. DR.. Herran has ca
bled the Colombian director Of posts re-
Questfng an explanation. and pending re-
ply nothing further will be done by the
State Department.
No Hint Of Contemplated Action.
No indication of the course Of action OF
this government, in the event that the Co
lolabian congress rejects or amends the
treaty. will be forthcoming until the time
for the exchange Of ratifcations expires,
September %. 1t Is believed at the depart
ment that the Colombian congress already
Is regretting Its hasty action In rejecting
the treaty. but the State Department will
suggest no remedy for the mistake.
The State Department has received a
routine message from Mr.. Beaupre. the
American minister at Bogota, acknowledge
ing the receipt of Secretary Hays cable
gram Of August 20, stating that the Wash
ington government would enter into no en-
gagement which would hamper the Presi-
dents freedom of action under the law.
The Situation on the Isthmus.
Extensive precautions have been taken by
the Bogota government to deal with any
emergency that may arise on the isthmus
in the event Of q final rejection Of the Pa
mama canal treaty.
Information to that effect was received
here last night. 1t is taken to mean that
the Colombian officials are apprehensive Of
the results in Congress and Of the reported
encouragement which the threatened revo-
luton in the state of Panama is receiving
from United States sources.
The officials Of the State Department de-
cline to discuss that phase Of the canal mat
ter on the ground 1t Is unworthy of belief
that the United States would encourage the
secession Of state simply in its own in
tereSts.
DR.. Herran, the Colombian minister here,
says he Is unwilling to believe for an in
stant that the United States would willing
ly lend itself to course which would be
contradiction of the principles of this re-
public.
Nevertheless the impression is growing in
unfriendly quarters that the United States
would hot look askance at the establish
ment of new republic at Panama favor
able to the construction of the canal as
probably the best solution of the present
unsatisfactory state Of affairs 1t is gen
orally admitted, however. that such talk
can only hurt the prestige Of the United
States in South America, and there Is an
increasing belief that the State Department
should take some action that will effective
ly stamp reports of American interference
on the tsthmus as without foundation be-
fore all Colombia and other South Ameri-
can states give credence to the report.
1t is suggested that Minister Beaupre
may be instructed to communicate Of
f1cially with the Bogota government the
absolute neutrality of the United States
on any question affecting the international
affairs of Colombia. which would only be
a reiteration Of this government time
honored policy.
New Governor Of Panama.
The departure of Senator Obaldia. the
new governor. from Bogota to Panama
with Representative Farbrega gave rise. it
is supposed. to the report that aanama
delegation had withdrawn fro. ; con-
gress. which was readily believed at the
time by the State Department.
The appointment of Governor Obaldia,
who is native of Panama. is regarded
here as showing the desire of the Bogota
government to conciliate public opinion on
the isthmus and, If possible, bring the
state of Panama into closer relations with
the federal government.
PANAMA CANAL TREATY.
Resolution to Give the Government Un-
,,cral Aufhoritv