New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-19
Mr.. HAYS REPLY.


snd assures General Reyes OF most friendly
sentiments for the government and people OF
Colombia The questions submitted, he says,
can be considered only IN the light OF accom-
piished facts. Of which one is that the Republic
of Panama has become a member of the family
OF nations
THE Department has read with surprise"
Mr.. Hay comments. your repetition Of gross
inputations upon the conduct and motives OF
this government which said TO have ap-
peared in reputable American newspapers.
MI Hay reviews detail first, the necessity
second an the legislative and diplomatic pro-
cedure which has taken place TO serve that emo,
Secretary Hay says the United States has faith
fully borne in the long period since the treaty
OF ls46 was completed the full burden Of it's
responsibilities
RECOGNITION THE ONLY COURSE
Meanwhile" he says. the great design OF
the treaty OF 1876 remained unfulhlled, and In
the end IL became apparent. as has heretofore
beer shown. that II could be fulfilled only by
the construction Of a canal by the government OF
the United States. BY reason Of the action OF
the government at Bogota In repudiating the
Hay-Herran convention, and OF the views and
intentions disclosed in connection with that re-
pudiation. the government was confronted when
the revolution at Panama took place, with the
alternative Of either abandoning the chief oene-
lit which II expected and was entitled to derive
from the treaty OF 1886 OF resortng to meas
tha necessity OF which # could contem-
plate only with regret" He ADDS:
By the declaration OF independence OF the Re-
public Of Panama, q new situation was cieaS 80
On the one hand stood the government OF Co.
louibia invoking, in the Of the treaty OF
1876 the aid OF this government in It's efforts
10 suppress the revolution; on the other manu-
stood the Republic of Panama, that had come
into being in order that the great design OF that
tresty uSisht not be forever frustrated, but
;cy,. he f,tfT al sSthmuS threatened
with desolat.on by another civil war Nor Were
the rights and interests OF the onlteo st sn
alone az stake The interests of the whole CIVIL
ICED world were involved. The Republic OF ran
anna stood for these interests; the Colombian gov
eminent opposed them CompeAeo 10 CHOOSE pe
tween these two alternatives the government OF
the United States in no wise responsible Tor tne
situation that had arisen did MOI pesI.a ss, -
Panama. and upon its Judgment and action in
the emergency the powers OF the world nave set
the seal OF their approval
COLOMBIAN COMPLAINTS UNFoUNDED.
Under all the circumstances says the Secre-
sary the department is unable to regard the
complaints of Colombia against this government
as having any valid foundation The govern
,Tent OF the United States. he continues, in COM
mon with the whole civilized world. shares in q
sentiment OF sorrow tn the unfortunate condi-
lions which have long existed in the Republic Of
Colombia by reason Of the fractional and frat
ricidai wars which have desolated her fields.
ruined her industries and Impoverished her
people.
Entertaining these feelings" Secretary Hay
gays, The government of the United states
would gladly exercise its good offices with the
Republic CT Panama. with a view to bringing
about some arrangement fair and equitable
basis For the acceptance of your proposal OF
resort to the Hague tribunal this government
perceives occasion Indeed. the questions
presented in your statement Of grievances are OF
political nature. such nations even of the
most advanced ideas as TO international arbitra-
a
process"
The Secretary. referring to questions of
iablisning diplomatic relations between Panama
and Colombia. the delimitation Of their respec-
toe boundaries and possible apportionment OF
such suggestions are put In a defir te and con-
crete form they viii receive at the hands Of this
government most careful consideration with a
view to bringing them III the exercise Of good
Offices. TO the attention Of Panama
ANOTHER NOTE FROM REYES
Under date Of January General Reyes sub
nlits another note to Secretary Hay. In which
he says he has transmitted Secretary Hays
answer to his statement Of grievances to his
government by cable. The Secretary's note is
construed, he says. as intination that the
Colombian forces will be attacked by the United
States their entering the territory of Panama
70 subdue the revolution, and for that reason #
would hold the government OF the United States
for all damages caused 10 it by the loss Of that
bian government under The treaty of 1916 is
peated. and il is requested that the first note of
General Reyes be made public. General Reyes
adds:
Inasmuch as Official charges have been made
against my country in the document sent to the
Senate. give notice TO your eXcellency, in reply
TO those charges, that will publish my note OF
December % and the present one
STILL FRIENDLY TO COLOMBIA.
Replying to this January g. Secretary Hay
says that he finds almost all the propositions
brought forward in the second note have been
considered and fully answered In his note Of
january s. He says. however:
7 will not for a moment accept the irputation
OF unfriendly motives sentiments on the part
Of this country toward Colombia and even IL
Colombia should persist in assuming a hostile
attitude toward u.s. il Will only be after the
most careful oeliheration, and with extreme re-
luclance. that this government would shape fits
course in accordance with the deplorable condi-
tons thus created.
Under date cf January IL General Reyes ad-
dressed Secretary Hay. stating that he finds his
arguments had not been ref1ted by the other
wise forceful papers which he has received. He
then discusses at some length his proposition TO
refer the matter 10 The Hague and concludes
with regret for the failure Of his mission to the
United States
secretary hay answers this note under date
Of January Is with the statement that there is
no reason TO reconsider the attitude of the
United States as heretofore set forth.