The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1904-01-08
TO PREVENT A WAR.
Diplomatic Pressure Will Be Brought
to Bear on coIombia's Delicate
posit;on

- rE-H
Washington, D. G., Dec. 2s.-Diplo-
matte pressure will be brought to bear,
upon Colombia by several European
powers to prevent war between, that
country and the United States.
The first step in this direction al.
ready has been taken by several for
eign powers through their representa-.
|tives here, who have informed General
Reyes of the futility of any attempt by
Colombia to retake Panama, declaring
that it will result only in precfpitating
the Bogota government into war with
the United States, n nave said to
him that the result of such a catas-
.trophe Colombia herself must realize.
If this is not sufficient, the representa-
|tives of these countries at Bogota will
be instructed to inform President Mar
roquin that Colombia can expect no
sympathy from European powers in
any move she may make on Panama
which would inevitably involve her in
war with the. United States.
The members. of the diplomatic corps
have been Informed by General Reyes
himself that he fears he can not with
out difficulty check his people much
longer.
General Reyes Talks Peace.
General Reyes. is not talking fol
publication, but to several European
ambassadors he has contided his fears
with frankness, and has said that he is
doing everything in his power to pre-
vent an outbreak before the conclu-
sion of his mission, but that although
his influence with the army is consid-
cradle, he is so far away hat it is diff
cult for him to make this felt as trong-
ly as # he were on The ground and in
command.
Diplomats whom General Reyes has
approached on the subject say that
what he most fears is the result Of the
announcement at Bogota of the failure
of his mission. He himself realizes that
the most he can hope for from the o.
eminent Of the United States is an offer
hat it will use moral suasion to pre-
vail on Panama to assume her portion
Of the Colombian debt. Further Gen
eral Reyes mas been told he can expect
nothing.
II came to Washington to save what
I could from a shipwreck," he said to
a diplomat Of high rank.
Hague Cannot Advise.
Realization of the true situation, it is
said, will not prevent him from calling on
the United States for a reference to The
Hague of several OF. the questions at is
sue. It is on this point that European
diplomats have told General Reyes that
1T is too much to expect this government
to submit any phase Of the Panama mat
ter to The Hague. Several ambassadors
have earnestly advised the: general to i'm
press on his people the fact that Europe
wants the isthmians canal built, and that
Colombia can expect no sympathy from
That quarter. 1t has further been pointed
out by these diplomats that the proffered
sympathy of several South American re-
publics can avail Colombia nothing in the
event of war with the United States.
1t is hoped that tae receipt of this news
in Bogota will do much to calm the feel
ng there and hold the Colombians in check
until General Reyes can return.
Great Britain and the Netherlands have
taken pains to let General Reyes know in
directly that Colombia reckons without
her host if she interprets their delay in
recognizing the republic Of Panama as an
evidence of their sympathy orEColombia,
or as due to other than "a desire, to protect
the interests of their fnanciers, who are
he largest holders Of government bonds.
1t Is said here to be unlikely that our
naval commanders in isthmian waters will
go to- the extent of dislodging. the Colon
oian troops which haye landed on the Isle
Of Pines, On. his point, however, the
policy of the government has not been.
definitely decided.
Offers Of Transports.
Washington, Dec. 23.-Under the i'm
preston that war is surely to occur be-
tween the United States and Colombia,
the quartermaster general of the army
has been besieged by railroad and ship
ping men DESTROYS of transporting
troops. This impression among the
shipping men exists to a considerable
extent abroad and a number of offers
have come to the department from for
eign ship owners rendering their YES
sells as transports.
1t is pointed out today that while
the landing Of marines on foreign soil
occasions but little comment and is
only evidence of a disturbed condition
of affairs, the embarkation of troops
puts q. different aspect on the situation.
For this reason the navy will be per-
mitted to continue in control of affairs
N Isthmian waters for the present at
least, or until matters reach a stage
lecessitating cooperation of the army.