The Tomahawk. [volume] (White Earth, Becker County, Minn.) 1903-192?, 1904-01-08
REPLY TO REYES
NOT YET READY
Document May Be Ready for Pre-
sentation on Thursday.
CHAMPIONSHIPS QUESTION

1t Is Said Continuance of Negotiations
with Gen. Reyes for Some Little
Time Is Quite Likely
to Result.
Washington, Dec 3O.-At meeting of
the cabinet called by the president for
Tuesday afternoon the Panama situa-
ton was the principal subject under con-
sheraton All members of the cabinet
except Secretary Hay, who is i'll, Secre-
tary Shaw and Attorney General Knox,
who are out of the city, were present.
The meeting was one Of the longest held
for several weeks, the session consum--
ing quite two hours. At the conclusion
of the meeting the members were not
communicative, but it was learned that
in addition to discussion of matters re-
lating to Panama several departmental
matters of minor Importance were con-
sidered.
Root to Conduct Negotiations.
Secretary Root was delayed nearly
half an hour in his arrival at the meeting,
having been in conference with Gen.
Reyes, the special representative of Co.
lombia This circumstance caused it
to. transpire that during the illness of
Secretary Hay Secretary Root has been
designated by the president to conduct
the negotiations of this government with
Gen. Reyes. Secretary Root laid before
the president the details of his inter-
view with the Colombian minister. Care
full consideration was given to the Co.
lombian note filed with the state depart
ment by Gen. Reyes, but it can be said
that no answer yet has been made to it.
No intimation of the contents of Gen.
Reyes note or of the reply of this gov
eminent is given from any authoritative
source. 1t is known, however, that the
administration regards the ratification
of the treaty with the republic of Pana-
man as the first step to be taken in the
entire pending matter. What this gov
eminent may do subsequently will be de-
termined at least in part by the circum-
stances then surrounding the case. Just
now, it is said authoritatively, there is
nothing in the situation to arouse serious
concern.
May BE Presented Thursday.
Preparation of the answer Of this gov
eminent is progressing, but it is said
that it will not be ready for presentation
before Thursday. No intimation can be
obtained officially as to the character of
the governments reply, but it is stated
the continuance of negotiation with Gen.
Reyes for some little time is quite likely.
His frequent conferences with the Of
ficials of the administration have en-
abled Gen. Reyes to realize that the
United States will not retrace step on
the isthmus. Whether Colombia may
hope for relief from congress in the shape
of an indemnity for tie loss she has suf-
fered in the secession of Panama is a
matter which can be left open for the
present, it is said, as Colombia and the
United States are concerned now with
the broader question as to the interpre-
tation of the treaty of 1916.
Gen. Reyes has not indicated to Sec
rotary Root what his intentions are re-
garding his future movements. tits pre-
sumed he will remain in Washington at
least until the reply of the United States
TO his note shall have been presented,
but so far as can be ascertained nothing
definite is known as to his intentions.
Urging His People to BE Patient.
Returning visit of Secretary Root
made several days aga Gen. Reyes called
at the war department Tuesday after
noon and was with the secretary for half
an hour Gen. Reyes took occasion to
reiterate the great pressure he was
bringing to bear on his people to remain
quiet until his mission is finished. The
secretary fully appreciates the delicate
position of Gen. Reyes and it is possible
will be able to give him some sugges-
lions as to how the Colombians may
be made aware of the real situation here.
Gen. Reyes deprecates the publica-
lions which have appeared purporting
to give the substance of his note to this
government. He pronounces them to be
incorrect. He does not want to discuss
the matter at this time, but deemed it
Colombia in her initial note has dweIt
upon the several clauses of the treaty of
1916, which, in her opinion, the United
States has violated AS to what if any,
redress the United States will offer that
is regarded as mattsr for discussion in
future notes.
Post Office Robbed.
Richmond, Va, Dec 3d.. L. Gar
rett, the town Waterman of West Point,
was held up Monday night by three
men armed with revolvers, who bound