New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
PROTECTING PANAMA.
Correspondence Bet7ceen General
ReucS and Secretary Hay.

Washington Jan Accompanying President
Foosevelts message Congress to-day were copies
If notes exchanged between General Reyes and the
Secretary OF State concerning the attitude Of the
Tinted States in case Colombian troops should be
sent to Panama. also copies Of two notes 10 the
state DEPARTMENT by the Minister Of Panama -
the United States.
The communication of General Reyes is addressed
10 Secretary Hay. dated December s. at Washing
ton, and reads:
have the honor to address your excellency for
the purpose Of stating TespeeJflily thst nave ire
what attitude would be assumed by the government
Of the United States in the event. which may take
place Of Colombian troops or forces, under me
Colombian flag. making tueir appearance on the
for the defence Of the soveTeienty integrity Of
Colombia and respecting the railroad line and the
terminal points in accordance with the stipulation
Of the treaty Of 1876, which my country is ever
ready to observe.
In answer TO this. Secretary Hay wrote 10 Gen
eral Reyes under date of December II. saying after
quoting the question asked
have quoted your question teztually and in
reference 10 il am instructed by the President 70
lowing facts: That the Republic Of Panama pro
claimed its Independence on the Sd Of last month
nenderce Of Panama has been recognized by this
been signed between the United states and Panama
now awaiting ratification b. the American Senate
by the provisions OF the said treaty the United
Republic OF Panama; that. although the treaty has
not yet become law by the action Of the Senate
ated by it which place the RESPONSIBILITY OF pre-
hands of the government Of the tinted State and
Of Panama, even # such RESPONSIBILITIES were no,
imposed by the historical events Of the last fifty
years. .
your cxcelIency that tie government Of the United
States would regard with the Gravest concern any
for h G ooihed 0 and
would Inevitably result throughout the whole eX-
that in the opinion Of the President the time has
come. in the interes, Of universal commerce and
ard ruinous civil war in Panama.
Secretary Hay on Deem er 80. 1903. acknowledged
4 letter from General Reyes. which had asked
him whether the invasion Of the territory Of
the Republic of Panama by Colombian soldiers
would be considered by the United States as a
declaration Of war The Secretary called attention
20 a similar question which General Reyes had
propourded on December and his reply thereto.
Continuing, the Secretary repeated portion OF his
letter Of the Nth, expressing the opinion OF the
President concerning civil war in Panama. The
Secretary closed with the statement that he could
only reiterate what lie had before said or the sub
tect Of General RECESS inquiry. and add tina. the
time which had elapsed since December II had only
tendea 70 Geepsn ne painful impression which
woulG os cr,aled IN TINS country by the armed IN
ard the sense Of the responsibility which would
inform General Reyes that this government had
ard would not Aghtv be provoked into assuming d
Two letters written by NJ Rurau-Va-iIla Min
lister ~ Panama. the Secretary of state, were
also made part Of the correspondence sent 10 the
Senate. Bofh letters are dated December 81. 1903.
The drst letter Informs Secretary Hay that the
government Of Panama desires 10 receive irnme d-
ately after the exchange Of ratIhcations Of The
treaty only 100000 Of the 100000 be paid by
tho United States. leaving the remainder 10 he
later employed FOR investment In works which
would permanently represent tho counter value Of
the EXPENSES incurred According TO this prin-
ci'Je NJ. Runeau-VarilIa inquiries whether the
United states government would pay interest of ?
per cent annually on the IS Oo0 900 which would be
left The United States Treasury. He suggests
The drafting Of special convention covering this
point. II i meets the approval OF the United States
government
The second, letter informed Secretary Hay that
NJ R;luaU-Narilla had received n telegram from his
government declaring that Panama, soon its
Independence was recognized by Colombia In
tended 10 assume part OF Coomhias exterior debt.
Of which The PRINCIPAL settled ut f2.000.0O
bv special convention and which unpaid inter
est has accrued Panama expressed readiness TO
assume proportion 81 the debt equal to the pro-
norton q the population Of Panama 10 that OF
colombia about 10 l.. Attention called 10
the fact that Panama had never received any
money from the mother country, that funds never
wcrt from BoEni1 10 Panama. but always from
Panama TO Ro@ota. and that II viii he easy 10
show that Panama is the creditor Of Colombia and
debtor.