Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1904-01-02
TRYING TO
AVERT WAR
Colombia Notified She Can Expect No
Sympathy From Europe.
GEN. REYES FEARS OUTBREAK

Washington, Dec. %. - Diplomatic
pressure will be brought TO bear upon
Columbia by several European powers
to prevent war between that country
and the United States. The first step
In this direction already has been
taken by several foreign powers
through their representatives here.
who have informed General Rafael
Reyes of the futility of any attempt
by Colombia to retake Panama, declar-
ing that it will result only in precipi-
tating the Bogota government into war
with the United States, and have said
to him that the result of such a ca
tastrophe Colombia herself must real
ize. If this is not sufficient the repre-
sentatives of these countries at Bogota
will be instructed to inform President
Marroquin that Colombia can expect
no sympathy from the European pow
ers in any move she may make on Pan
anna which would inevitably involve
her in war with the United States.
The members of the diplomatic corps
have been informed by General Reyes
himself that he can with difficulty
check his people much longer. General
Reyes is not talking for publication,
but to several European ambassadors
he has confided his fears with frank
ness, and has said that he is doing
everything in his power to prevent an
outbreak before the conclusion of his
mission, but that although his influence
with the army is considerable, he is so
far away that it is difficult for him TO
make this felt as strongly as if he were
on the ground and in command
Diplomatists whom General Reyes
has approached on the subject say that
what he most fears is the result of the
announcement at Bogota of the failure
OF his mission. He himself realizes
that the most he can hope for from
the government of the United States is
an offer that it will use moral suasion
to prevail on Panama to assume her
portion of the Colombian debt. Further
General Reyes has been told he can
expect nothing. II came to Washing
ton to save what / could from a ship
wreck he said to diplomat of high
rank
Realization of the true situation. X
is said, will not prevent General Reyes
from calling on the United States Tor
reference to The Hague of several
OF the questions at issue. II is on tins
point that European diplomats have
told General Reyes that il is expecting
too much to expect this government
TO submit any phase of the Panama
matter to The Hague. Several ambas-
sadors have earnestly advised the gen
eral to impress on his people the fac;
that Europe wants the Isthmiau canal.
and that Colombia can expect no SYM
pathy from that quarter. 1t has further
been pointed out by these diplomats
that the proffered sympathy of several
South American republics can avail
Colombia nothing in the event of war
with the United States.
Great Britain and The Netherlands
have taken pains 10 let General Reyes
know indirectly that Colombia reckons
without her host if she interprets their
delay i'm recognizing the Republic OF
Panama as an evidence of their SYM
patty for Colombia or as due to other
than a desire to protect the interests
of their fnanciers, who are the largest
holders of government bonds