The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-19
REYES AND
 HAY LETTERS Correspondence is Made
 Public. COMPLAINT OF COLOMBIA United States Prevented the Retaking 0fPanama. :.
COMPLAINT OF COLOMBIA
Secretary of States Answers the En- voy, Pointing Out That America
 Has Strictly Adhered to
 Law and Precedent.

Washington, Jan. B-President Roose- welt transmitted to the Senate today ad- ditionai correspondence touching the re- lations of the United States with Colom- bia and Panama covering the period from December g. 1903. to January 6, last.
 A statement of grievances on the part of Colombia was presented to the State Department by General Reyes, December g. General Reyes says that the course of the United States had worked deep in- jury to Colombia, and he cited the treaty of 1S46 as showing that the independence and sovereignty of Colombia was to be maintained intact between the two Gov ernments.
 General Reyes said with reference to the Hay-Herran treaty that the same course was followed in Bogota as was pursued in Washington. If the treaty, he said. had been rejected in Washington, the disapproval would have involved no grievance for Colombia, and that the Co., Nombian Congress in it's disapproval of the treaty simply exercised a vested right. This action. he maintained, did not dis qualify the Colombian Government for the conclusion of another treaty.
 In speaking of the action of the Colom- bian Congress in its efforts to amend the treaty. General Reyes says: 'I firmly be- lieve that 1t would have approved the con- NGnIlOn WIlH LIldl WOutA probably have been acceptable to the United States had not the American Min ister at Bogota repeatedly declared, in the most positive manner, that his Govern ment would reject any amendments that might be offered"
 Instructions to Beaupre.
 After citing the instructions to Minister Beaupre, made public by the State De- partment heretofore in this connection, General Reyes concluded: No one will wonder that under the pressure of threats so serious and irritating and in presence of a formal notification from the party no amendment would be accepted, pref erence was given to disapproval."
 As to the recognition of the republic of Panama, General Reyes says. that tt Is q matter of pubic know'ledge that, the mother country commands s0fIlclonf force to snbdue a revolution.
 'sThe attitude of the United states,'' ne says. constitutes according to the most ancient and modern Authority on interna- uonal law not only a great offense, put also a formal attack upon her wealth."
 After declaring that Panama formed the most important part of the national wealth of Colombia, General Reyes con- tinues:
 If there be an eternal and immutable principle of right. that right of Colombia has been injured by the United States by an incredible transgression of the limits 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 have received information to the effect that bank in New York opened a con- siderable credit in their favor, with a knowledge of the general use for which it was intended, even though unaware that it was to be applied in part to the bribery of a large part of the garrison at Panama"
 Prevented Troops Arrival.
 Before the news was divulged that a revolution was about to break out on the Isthmus, General Reyes says a United States military officer stopped the railway from carrying to Panama, as it was un- der obligation to do. battalion of troops from Bogota. which had just arrived at Colon, "at the very time when it's ar rival in that city would have impedcd or suppressed any revolutionary attempt. ."
 General Reyes sad that in leading the
 
 Isthmus he (Reyes) had the honor to address note on the subject to Rear Ad- miral Coghlan to which he received a re- ply without delay as follows:
 His (Coghlan's) present orders are 60 prevent the landing of soldiers with hos tile intent, within the boundary of the State of Panama
 At this time the Colombian army con sisted of 10000 men. which General Reyes declared to be more than sufficient to suppress the Panama revolution, "if your excellency's government had not prevent ed the landing of the troops under my command that were to embark at Puerto Colombia.
 In this connection General Reyes calls attention to the fact that there is no overland way to reach Panama from Co., lombia.
 True Character of Panama.
 The true character of the new State of Panama" says General Reyes, Ifs re- vealed in the fact that 1t came into exist ence by a coup de main, effected by the winning over of troops, valorous without doubt but who have fought against no one assaulted no intrenchment, captured no fort and who contented themselves with putting in prison the constituted au- thorities Sad. indeed, is the fate of my country, at lO Su1lcI cd- lamities from its revolutions and at oth- CTS to witness the unexpected attacks of a powerful but friendly State which, for the first time, breaks its honor and tra- ditions of respect for right-especially the right of the weak
 The Panama revolutionists, continues General Reyes. were counselled by spec ulators of several countries who had as- sumed the direction of affairs. and he asserts that thousands of the inhabitants of Panama condemned the separatst 
 General Reyes says that Panama has become independent because the Govern ment of the United States desired it; be- cause, with it's incomparably superior force. the United States prevented the landing of Colombian troops: because, eveh before the separatist movement WAS known in Bogota. the United States had it's war vessels at the entrance of Co- Iomoian ports. preventing the departure of Colombian battalions; because. with