Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-11
ANSWER TO REYES
Plainly Outlines United States
Isthmian Policy.
We Propose to Build the Canal and
Propose to Hold 1t.
Want No Trouble with Colombia and
Tender Best Wishes.

Washington, Jan. 10.-Secretary Hay.
yesterday. sent another communication
t. Gen. Rafael Reyes. the Colombian
envoy. in response to his protest
against the action of the United States
regarding affairs on the isthmus Of
Panama. While state department Off
Gals decline 10 make any specific state
m"nt as TO it's nature. il is understood
that i'll Il general way il follows the
lines laid down i'll the reply to Gen.
Reyes first note. which practically de-
cilneS to reopen the Panama question
Gen. Reyes second note differed in
some important respects from that
first sent by him to the state depart
ment. The first contained a general
statement of the grievances important
and minor. which Colombia asserts she
has suffered as Il result of the inter-
probation placed by the United States
on the treaty of 1916. This note also
while not specifically making a protest
by its very nature involved the presen-
tati"n of one later on.
The second communication to which
IN answer was returned, yesterday.
dealt with detail on certain specific
points regarded as highly important
and mcritinS special consideration and
presented an emphatic formal protest
against the action of the United States
III Panama matters. Secretary Hays
answer. it is said. follows the lines of
TIE recent message of President Roose-
welt To Congress on the Panama Ques-
ton justifying the steps taken by the
United States government on the sub
ject.
The secretary's reply does not dis
cuss with General Reyes one matter
which he urged i'll his second note.
namely, the transmission to the SEN
ate of the correspondence which has
passed between himself and the state
department.. 1t is known that tn off,
clalS Of the state department resent
"a the suggestion of Gen. Reyes as
hlSniy improper and for this reason its
answer does not discuss this request.
IN" matter of sending the cores
pondence with Gen. Reyes to the Sem
ate has not yet been determined by the
President. The sending of the note
TO Gen. Reyes, yesterday, prevented
ms contemplated trip to Baltimore for
treatment by specialist for which he
had made arrangements the day be-
fore Gen. Reyes last note also con-
tanned some reference to the submits
sion Of disputed points to arbitration,
but state department officials say there
is nothing in the present situation for
The Hague tribunal if any reference
to that court is intended
Gen. Reyes is ready to leave the city
at any time for Colombia where his
personal ana political interests re-
quire his attention. 1t is said. tonight,
that he might leave this country with
in he next 10 days, but no information
was obtainable from Gen. Reyes on
that subject. tonight. as he declined
To- see newspaper reporters on the plea
that he WIS very busy.
From the standpoint of the state de-
partmcnt here is no reason why he
should hasten his departure, as he
might very well remain and render
C"nder considerable service to his
country. The suggestion was made, to-
night. that possibly he might remain
and make an effort to open diplomatic
relations with the republic Of Panama.
through its representative here adjust
mont of such questions as the assump-
ton by Panama of portion Of the ex-
terror debt of Colombia.
Some suggestion also has been made.
though not officially of a reunion Of the
under the name OF the re-
public of Colombia. Panama to have an
government with absolute
to deal with all questions
relating to the control of canal mat
t,rS.
A cab!cgram to the navy department,
today. from Rear Admiral Glass, COM
the American naval forces at
the isthmus of Panama, announces that
he has changed his flag from the Mar
blehead to the New York.
Rear Admiral Glass also reports that
the Colombian gunboat Bogota has re-
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