Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1904-08-06
THE SITUATION N COLOMBIA
Private Information Indicates That
Affairs Are Likely To Reach
Critical Stage In Next
Few DAYS.
Few DAYS
Special Dispatch 70 Evening Capital

cial circles here authentic news from
Bogofa is awaited with keen interest
as private information received lately
indicates that the affairs Of that Re-
public may reach critical stage with
in the next few days.
Tomorrow is the date set for the in
auguratiOn of General Rafael Reyes
as president of Colobmia. Affairs are
in shape. however, that the new presi-
dent may not be allowed TO take Office
without grave trouble ensuing. When
General Reeves was sent TO Washing
ton in the hope of affecting change
in the policy of the United States and
securing the restoration OF Panama
he was the choice of the government
nartv for president. OF course his
mission failed. Thereupon the infiu-
ence of President Maroquin and his
administration seemed to be thrown
for JOAQUIN Velez, the aged revolutions
ary governor of the Department of
Bolivar. who has done so much to de-
feat the canal.
1t was even announced that Velez
had a majority secured through the
support of the administration, but
MarroQuin shifted around to Reyes,
and the result again was in doubt.
General Reyes knew that If he went
back TO Bogota after his failure here
there would be no show whatever OF
his becoming president. So he remain
ed in New York awhile. and then sail.
ed for Paris Meanwhile, he was do.
ing what he could for Colombia to save
something out of the wreck of its con
troll in Panama He did not succeed
because the plumbers made il impos.
sible. General Reyes remained in
Paris for several months. Then he
sailed, not for Colombia, but for Ven
ezuela. The.strained relations of Co
Iubmia and Venezuela for the last few
wears have been well understood. That
the two countries did not 60 to wal
was because each had on hand revo-
lurions at home, and eacE accused the
other of fomenting those domestic
brawIs. General Castro, the president
of Venezuela, was credited with the
determination to annex some Colom-
bian territory under the pretext OF
war. and at the same time settle old
scores.
Before he left Paris General Reyes
knew that he would be well received
in Venezuela. While in Caracas he
opinions which we're supposed to be
directed chiefly against the United
States. His advice was for general
union of the Latin American races tc
guard against the aggression of the
Yankees and the Europeans. The
Latin American union which he sug.
gested was not the outgrowth of Pan
anna nor was it really conceived IN
hostility to the United States. Gen.
eral Reyes had long been an advocate
of the doctrine that the Latin race
still has a mission. Good results un-
doubtedly came from General Reyes
visit to Venezuela. General Castro
opened some of the customs ports on
the Colombian frontier that had been
closed and gave encouragement to the
re establishment of commerce between
the two countries. Probably the bet
ter understanding secured with Vene.
zueIa helped General Reyes after his
return to Colombia. 1t is clear that
the Marroquin administration felt q
little more free in handling domestic
subjects. The real question to be de-
termined was whether Reyes could be
peaceably inaugurated even after q
majority of the electoral college had
declared him the choice.
During the last few weeks every
mail has brought word of intrigues
and plots against Reyes. Army com.
manders and others supposed to be
hostile to General Reyes have been re.
moved, but this has served apparently
only to increase the opposition. While
it is q badly disorganized army, the
Colombian war force is necessary Il
secure a peaceful administration. II
the partisans of joaquin Velez succeed
in getting the army, in all probability
there will be serious trouble. Once
inaugurated as president, General
Reyes undoubtedly will maintain his
control of the army. His prestige as
a soldier will help him in that regard.
In the campaign against the revolu.
tionists in 1895 he showed he possessed
the qualities of military leadership.
What General Reyes policy as presi-
dent will be cannot be forecasted with
certainty. His chief endeavor doubt.
less will be directed toward maintain.
ing the territorial integrity OF the
republic. The rumors which have
been afioat from time to time of sep.
aration movement in the great Pacific
department of Caucas have not been
groundIess. The truth is understood
to be that the danger of this depart
ment cutting loose in case Reyes were
not made president has been the mo-
tive for bringing the administration
of President Marroquin to his support.