Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19

an 1ncreG1Dfe uranSSreSSlOn OF the uIIlltS
set by equity and justice.
Before the coup de main which pro-
claimed the independence of the isthmus
took place at Panama there were In this
very city agents of the authors of that
coup in conference with high personages
clothed with official character, as is as
serted by reputable American newspapers.
1 have received information to the effect
that bank in New York opened cons.d-
cradle credit in their favor with knowl-
edge of the general use for which it was
intended, even though unaware that 1t was
to be applied, III part, to the bribery OF
a large part of the garrison at Panama.
Before the news was divulged that rev.
olution was about to break out on the 18TH
mus General Reyes says that American
cruisers which reached their destination
precisely on the of the movement. Were
blowing the waters of the Atlantic and
Pacific oceans. United States military
officer, he says, stopped the railway from
carrying to Panama, as it was under OBJ
| LEGATION to do, battalion of troops from
Bogota which had just arrived at Colon.
"at the very time when it's arrival In that
city would have impeded or suppressed any
revolutionary attempt.
General Reyes said that in leading the
Colombian army to restore order on the
isthmus he (Reyesb had the honor to ad-
dress note on the subject to Rear Admiral
Coghlan. to which he received reply with
out delay, as follows: His (CoghlanS 81
present orders are to prevent the landing
Of soldiers with hostile intent within the
boundary of the state OF Panama
Accuses the United States.
|. At this time the Colombian army con-
sisted of 10000 men, which General Reyes
declared to be more than sufficient to sup
press the Panama revolution, ''if your ex-
celieney's government had not prevented
the landing of troops under my command
that were to embark at Puerto Colombia
In this connection General Reyes calls at
tention to the fact that there is no overland
way to reach Panama from Colombia
1.-The true character of the new state OF
the fact that it came into existence by
coup de main effected by the winning over
of troops, valorous without doubt, but VINO
have fought against no one, assaulted no
intrenchment captured no fort, content1ng
themselves with putting in prison the con-
stituted authorities. Sad, indeed, is
the fate of my country. condemned at times
to suffer calamities from it's own reVolu-
lions, and at others to witness the unex-
pected attacks of a powerful but friendly
state which. for the first time. breaks its
honored traditions of respect for right
especially the right of the weak.
The Panama revolutlonlSts, continues
Gen Reyes were counseled by spectators
of several countries who had assumed the
direction of affairs and he asserts that
thousands of the inhabitants Of Panama
condemned the separatists' movement.
Gen. Reyes says that Panama has become
independent because the government OF the
United States desired it; because with its
incomparably superior force the United
States prevented the landing of Colombian
troops: because even before the separatists
movement was known in Bogota the
United States had its war vessels at the
entrance of Colombian ports, preventing the
departure of Colombian battalionS; be
cause without regard to the precedent es-
tablished by statesmen who have dealt
with this matter, the United States has
not respected our rights in that strip of
land which Colombia considers divine
bequest for the innocent use of the Amer
lean family of states and finally because
the government of the United States in
voking and putting into practice the right
of might has taken from us by bloodless
conquest, but by conquest, nevertheless.
the most important part of the national
territory. In this crisis of the life of my
country, as unlocked for as it is terrible,
Colombia rests its most comforting hopes |
in the sentiment of justice which animate
the government of your excellency and |
which has many times surprised the |
world by its wisdom. WILL on this occasion,
astonish it by it's example," Gen. Reyes |
cites the thirty-fifth article of the treaty OF !
1915. providing that when either country |
feels itself offended 1t shall lay before the |
other statement of such injury or dam
ages and concludes:
Since the aforesaid treaty is the law
which governs between the two countries, I |
propose that the claims which I make in /
the present note on account of the violation |
which may hereafter be made in counec-
ton with the events of Panama be SUBJ
mftted to the arbitratfonal tribunal of The |
Hague"
Secretary Hay answered this note under
date of January 5. He says the govern
ment has carefully considered the grave
complaints made. and assures Gen. Reyes !
of our most friendly sentiments for the |
government and people of Colombia. The
questions submitted, he says, can be con-
sidered only in the light of accomplished
facts. of which one is that the republic OF |
Panama has become member of the fam
lily of nations. The department has read
with SURPRISE" Mr.. Hay comments, your
repetition of gross imputatfons upon the /
conduct and motives of this government |
which said to have appeared La rep
utable American newspapers" Mr.. Hay
reviews In detail. first, the necessity Of /
waterway connecting the two oceans and |
secondly all the legislative and dipfo- |
matte procedure which has taken place to /
secure that end.
Secretary Hays Reply.
Secretary Hay saxssthe United States mas I
faithfully borne during the long period I
since the treaty of 1916 was completed the /
full harden Of its respoHsiballt Aa. .MAan-