The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1904-08-06
GENERAL RAFAEL REYES MAY
NOT BE INAUGURATED AS
PRESIDENT TOMORROW.
Indications Tend to Show That There
Will Be Trouble at Bogota
Sunday Morning.

official circles here authentic news
from Bogota is awaited with keen in
terest, as private information re-
ceived lately indicates that the affairs
of that republic may reach a critical
stage within the next few days.
Tomorrow is the date set for the In
auguration of General Rafael Reyes as
president of Colombia. Affairs are in
such shape, however, that the new
president may not be allowed to take
office without grave trouble ensuing.
When General Reyes was sent to
Washington in the hope Of effecting a
change in the policy Of the United
States and securing the restoration Of
Panama he was the choice of the gov
eminent party for president. OF
course mis- mission failed. Thereupon
the influence of President MarrOquin
and his administration seemed to be
thrown for Joaquin VeleZ, the aged
revolutionary governor of the depart
ment of Bolivar, who had done so much
to defeat the canal. 1t was even an
nounced that Velez had a majority Sc
cured through the support Of the ad-
ministration. But Marroquin shifted
around to Reyes and the result was
again in doubt.
General Reyes knew that if he went
back to Bogota after his failure here
there would be no show whatever for
his becoming president. So he re-
manned in New York while and then
sailed for Paris. Meanwhile he was
doing what he could for Colombia to
save something out of the wreck OF
it's control in Panama. He did not
succeed because the plumbers in Bo-
gotta made it impossible.
General Reyes remained in Paris for
several months. Then he sailed. not
for Colombia but for Venezuela. The
strained relations of Colombia and
Venezuela for the last few years have
been well understood. That the two
countries didn't go to war was be-
cause each had on hand revolutions
at home, and each accused the other
of fomenting those domestic brawls.
General Castro, the president of Eene-
zuela, was credited with the determi-
nation to annex some Colombian terri
tory under the pretext of war, and at
the same time settle old scores.
Before he left Paris General Reyes
knew that he would be we'll received
in Venezuela. While in Caracas he
gave utterance to some interesting
opinions which were supposed to be
directed chiefly against the United
States. His advice was for a general
guard against the aggression both of
the Yankees and the Europeans. The
gested was not the outgrowth of Pam
anna, nor was it really conceived mis-
tility to the United States. General
Reyes had long been an advocate of
the doctrine that the Latin race still
has a mission.
Good results undoubtedly came from
General Reyes visit to Venezuela.
General Castro opened some of the
customs ports on the Colombian from
tier that had been closed and gave en-
couragement to the establishment
of commerce between the two coun-
tries. Probably the better understand
ing secured with Venezuela helped
General Reyes after his return to Co
lombia. 1t is clear that the Marro-
quin administration felt a little more
free in handling domestic subjects.
The real question to be determined
was whether Reyes could be peaceably
inaugurated even after a majority of
the electoral college had declared him
the choice. During the last few weeks
every mail has brought word of in
trigues and plots against Reyes. Army
commanders and others supposed to
be hostile to General Reyes have been
removed, but this has served appar-
emily only to increase the opposition.
While it is a badly disOrganiZed
army, the Colombian war force is nee
essary to secure a peaceful admins
tration. If the partisans Of Joquin
Velez succeed in getting the army, in
all probability there will be serious
trouble.
Once inaugurated as president Gen.
eral Reyes undoubtedly will maintain