Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-08-08
SITUATION IN COLOMBIA

WASHINGTON. D. C.. Aug. 6.-Ii
official circles here authentic new!
from Bogota is awaited with keer
Interest as private information re
ceiyed here lately indicates that tn.
AFFAIRS of that republic may reach {
critical stage within the next few
deys
Tomorrow is the date set for the
inauguration of General Rafael Reyes
as president of Colombia Affairs are
IN such shape, however, that the new
president may not be allowed TO take
Office without grave trouble ensuing
When General Reyes was sent to
Washington in the hope OF enecting
change in the policy OF the United
States and securing the restoration
Of Panama he was the choice of the
| government party for president OF
course his mission failed Thereupon
The Influence of President Marrouuin
| and his administration seemed to be
thrown from Joaquin Neiez the aged
| revolutionary governor OF the Depart
ment of Bolivar, who had done so
much TO defeat the canal II was
| even announced that Velez had ma
,prity secured through the support of
he administration But Marroquin
shifted around to Reyes. and the re
suit again was in doubt
General Reyes knew that II he went
back 10 Bogota after his failure here
there would be no show whatever for
his becoming president So he re
mained In New York while and then
vailed for Paris Meanwhile. he was
tOing what he could for Colombia
20 save something out OF the wreck
If its control in Panama lie did
not succeed because the blunders in
Bogota made 1t impossible
General Reyes remained In Paris
lor several months. Then he sailed.
The strained relations of Colombia
md Venezula for the last few years
nave been well understood. That the
two countries didn't go to war was
because each had on hand reyoiu-
ions at home. and each accused the
Ither of fomenting those domestic
brawls General Castro, the presl
lent OF VeneZula, was credited with
he determination to annex some
Colombian territory under the pretext
II war, and al the same time settle
I'D scores
Before he left Paris General Reyes
Snew that he would be well received
n Venezuela While In Caracas he
saye utterance to some interesting
opinions which were supposed to be
lirected chiefly against The United
states His adylces was for a gen
aral union of the Latin-American
aces to guard against the aggression
both of the Yankees and the Euro
peans The Latin-American union
which he suggested was not the out
growth of Panama nor was ii really
conceived in hostility 10 the United
states. General Reyes had long been
IN advocate of the doctrine that The
Latin race stIll had a mission.
Good results undoubtedly came
from General Reyes visit to Nene.
zuea General Castro opened some
1f the customs ports on the Colon
bian frontier that had been closed and
gave encouragement to the re-estab'
| ishment of commerce between the
two countries Probably the better
understanding secured with Venezuela
helped General Reyes after his re-
turn from Colombia II Is clear that
the Marroquin administration felt a
little more free in handling the do
| nestle subjects The real question
| to be determined was whether Reyes
| could be peaceably inaugurated even
| after majority OF the electoral col
lege had declared him the choice.
| During the last few weeks every mail
| has brought word Of intrigues and
plots against Reyes. Army command
ers and others supposed to be hostile
TO General Reyes have been removed.
| but this has served apparently only
, 10 increase the opposition.
While 1t is a badly organized army,
| the Colombian war force is neces-
sary 10 secure peaceful admins
| tration II the partlsans Of joaquin Val
ez succeed in getting the army in all
probability there will be serious
trouble.
Once inaugurated president. Gener
al Reyes undoubtedly Will maintain
his control of the army. His pres
tige as a soldier will help him In thai
regard In the campaign against the
revolutionists In 1895 he showed h'
possessed the qualities OF military
leadership.
What General Reyes policy as pres
dent win be cannot be forecaste,
with certainty. His chief endeavo
doubtless will be directed TOWARD
maintaining the territorial integrity o
the republic. The rumors which hay'
been afioat from time to time of
separation movement In the grea
Pacific department OF Cauca have no
been groundless. The truth Is under
stood to be that the danger Of this d,
partment cutting loose in case Reye
we're not made president has bee
7 the motive for bringing the admin,
l. tration of President MarroGin TO hi
support