The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-02
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Secretary Root Conducting Panama
Negotiations DuringHay's Illness.
CABINET DISCUSSED SITUATION
Administration Regards Ratification
Of Canal Treaty as the First Step
to Be Taken in Entire Matter-Sltu'
ation iS Not Serious

HuiNlHlo%i cbiSu RNSefNS
Of Canal Treaty as the First Step
to Be Taken in Entire Matter--Situ'
alton is Not Serious.
Washington. Dec S0.-At a meeting
OF the cabinet called by the president
the Panama situation was the princi'
pal subject under consideration. All
members of the cabinet except Sec
rotary Hay. who is i'll, Secretary
Shaw and Attorney General Knox
who are out of the city, were present
The meeting was one OF the longest
held for several weeks. the session
consuming quite two hours. Al the
conclusion Of the meeting the mem
bers we're not communicative, bat II
was learned that in addition TO dis
cussion of matters relating to Pana-
ma several departmental matters Of
minor importance were considered.
Secretary Root was delayed nearly
half an hour in his arrival at the
meeting. having been in conference
with General Reyes the special repre-
sentative Of Colombia. This circun-
stance caused it to transpire that dur
ing the illness OF Secretary Hay, Sec
rotary Root has been designated by
the president TO conduct the negotia-
tons OF this government with General
REYES. Secretary Root laid before the
president the details of his interview
with the Colombian minister. Careful
consideration was given to the Colon
bian note filed with the state depart
ment hg General Reyes. but il can be
said that no answer yet has been
made TO it. The note was submitted
by the Colombian minister in Spanish.
Some delay was encountered in the
translation Of the document. but finally
the translation was laid before the
president and Secretary Root for SON
sideration. Secretary Root informed
General REYES that the reply of this
government was not ready. but that il
would be given him as soon as pos
sible. Secretary Root will give the
response to General Reyes when de-
cision as 10 its precise nature shall
have been reached.
No intimation of the contents Of
General Reyes note or of the reply Of
this government is given from any
authoritative source 1t is known,
however. that the administration re-
CARDS the ratification Of the treaty
with the Republic Of Panama as the
first step 10 be taken in the entire
pending matter What this govern
mept may do subsequently will be de-
termined. at least. in part, by the cir
cumstances then surrounding the case.
Just now. it is said authoritatiyely
there Is nothing in the situation TO
arouse serious concern.
General Reyes has not indicated TO
Secretary Root what his intentions
are regarding his future movements.
Il is presumed he will remain in Wash
ington at least until the reply to his
note shall have been received, but so
far as can be ascertained nothing def
mite is known as to his intentions.
General Reyes frequent conferences
with the officials OF the administration
have enabled him to realize that the
United States will not retrace step
on the Isthmus. Whether Colombia
may hope for relief from congress in
the shape Of an indemnity for the loss
she has suffered in the secession OF
Panama is matter which can be left
open for the present, it is said. as Co
lonbia and the United States are con-
cerned now with the broader question
as to the Interpretation Of the treaty
OF 1916.
Returning a visit OF Secretary Root,
made several days ago, General Reyes
called at the war department and was
with the secretary half an hour Cen
eral Reyes took occasion 70 reiterate
the great pressure he was bringing TO
bear OH his people to remain quiet
until his mission is finished. The sec
retaly fully appreciates the delicate
position of General Reyes, and il Is
possible will be able to give him some
suggestions as to how the Colomblans
may be made aware Of the real situa'
ton here.