New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
COLOMBIA MORE WARLIKE
THREAT TO SEND TROOPS.
Government Sad TO Be Helpless to
PreUeEt Var.

News OF most disGuieting character was con-
tanned in a cable dispatch received in this city
last night from an official source IL Bosota. This
well authenticated message read:
Government is helpless in effort to prevent
war IN less than month from ten thou
sand men VIII be on the isthmus. Sure
This announcement of coming strife confirms
rumors cabled yesterday from Panama. that CO.
lombia intends to organize Snd send an ex7edi-
ton against Panama. II comes as a surprise
IN view Of the supposed changed attitude OF the
Colombians. who had apparently accepted the
inevitable and depended on General Rafael
Reyes. Colombia's special envoy to Washing
ton TO obtain through diplomacy some compen-
satfon for the loss of Panama.
General Reyes was TO sail yesterday on thu
steamer Valencia for BarranquiIIa and thence
proceed TO BOgota. But. much to the surprise
Of his friends. he deferred his departure for the
second time He was reticent about this sec
ond change Of plans when he failed to sail
on the steamer Allegheny. two weeks ago. after
having announced that he would sail Cen
eral Pedro mel Ospina and Dr. Lucas CabaIlero.
colleagues Of General Reyes on the Colombian
Commission, went by the steamer Valencia.
They too. were uncornmunlcative
In Washington the expected return of General
Reyes to BOgOta regarded as a guarantees
that the jingo element in BOgOta would be quiet
ed. as he wields great personal influence which
has been directed toward maintaining peace.
General Reyes occupies a most awkward and
embarrassing position. On seemingly good au-
thority it is stated that he has not left here
yet because his negotiations with the State De-
partment at Washington have not been COM
pletely broken off and he has a tentative PROM
Use from this government that Colombia shall
be taken care Of with pecuniary balm for her
loss Of the canal strip. General Reyes with evil
dent sincerity. has deprecated the foOIhardy
desire of some Of his compatriots for war with
the United States. He has used every influence
at his command TO discourage such movement
and has advised his government. and through
it his people, of the terrible consequences they
would suffer from the one sided conflict which a
between the two countries would mean
General Reyes. at the Hoffman House, last night
would make no comment on the threatening dis
patch from BogOta-
In view OF circumstances rather peculiar to
say the least. the official advices from the cap
ital indicate that the Colombian government
is not acting in entire good faith Although il
declares that il Is powerless TO prevent an out
break. ii has become known that official prepa-
rations of rather a warlike character have been
steadily going on. The Colombian government
/ has purchased at New-Orleans steamer TO bs
/ information comes from ouayaquil. Ecuador.
| that five thousand rifles have arrived there from
Belgium in transit for Colombia.
These latest Developments in the Colcnlbia-
Panama ENHANCEMENT are the more startling
because OF the pacific withdrawal OF the Colom-
bian troops which had been sent up the Atrato
I River TO Cape Tiburon. which Is close TO the
k Panama border. No further hostile action on
the part of Colombia was looked for.