Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-19
WHILE" he continues, "the great design of

| the treaty of 1916 remained unfulflled, and
| in the end it became apparent. as has here
! tCfore been shown. that it could be fulfilled
| only by the construction of a canal by the
government of the United States. By rea-
1 son of the action of the government at Bo-
| gotta in repudiating the Hay-Herran con-
vention and Of the views and intentions dis
closed in connection with that repud alton
/ the government was confronted, when the
revolution at Panama took place, with TIE
| alternative of either abandoning the chief
| benefit which 1T expected and was emitted
| to derive from the treaty of 1915. or or re-
sorting to measures the necessity of which
! it could contemplate only with regret.
by the declaration of Independence of
! the republic of Panama new situation was
J created. On the one hand stood the gov
| eminent of Colombia, invoking in the name
| of the treaty of 1916 the aid of this govern
| ment in its efforts to suppress the revolu-
| ton; on the other hand stood the republic
! of Panama that had come into be ng in or
| der that the great design of that treaty
might not be forever frustrated. but might
| be fulfilled. The isthmus was threatened
with desolation by another civil war. Nor
| were the rights and interests of the United
| States alone at stake The interests Of the
| whole civilized world were involved. The
| republic of Panama stood for these inter-
| ests; the government of Colombia opposed
| them Compelled to choose between these
I two alternatives. the government Of the
| United States in nowiSe responsible for the
| situation that had arisen. did not hesitate.
]
public of Panama, and upon its judgment
and action in the emergency the powers Of
| the world have set the seal of their ap-
prevail"
Secretary, theNdepartment is unab BILE to re-
gard the complaints of Colombia against
this government as having any valid foun-
dation. The government of the United
/ States, he continues, in common with the
whole civilized world shares in a sentiment
of sorrow in the unfortunate conditions
which have long existed in the republic of
Colombia. by reason of the factional and
fratricidal wars, have desoated her fields.
ruined her industries and impoverished her
people. Entertaining these feelings, Sec
rotary Hay says. 1.-The government of the
United States would gladly exercise its good
offices with the republic of Panama with
a view to bring about some arrangement
on fair and equitable bass. For the ac-
ceptance of your proposal of resort to
The Hague tribunal this government per-
ceives no occasion. Indeed, the questions
presented in your statement of grievances
are of a political nature, such as nations
even of the most advanced ideas to in
ternational arbitration have not proposed
to deal with by that process"
The Secretary. referring to questions of
establishing diplomatic relations between
Panama and Colombia. the delineation of
their respective boundaries and possible
apportionment of their mutual pecuniary
liabilities. says that If such suggestions are
put in a definite and concrete form they
most careful consideration, with view to
bringing them. in the exercise of good of
fees. to the attention of Panama.
Gen. Reyes Responds.
Under date of January Gen. Reyes sub
mits another note to Secretary Hay, in
which he says he has transmitted Secretary
Hays answer to his statement of griev-
ances to his government by cable. The Sec
retary's note is construed. he says. an
intimation that the Colombian forces will
be attacked by the United States on their
entering the territory of Panama to subdue
the rebellion, and for that reason it would
hold the government of the United States
for all damages caused to it by the loss of
that national territory. A repetition is
made of the position of the Colombian gov
eminent under the treaty of 1885, and 1t is
requested that the first note of Gen. Reyes
be made public. Gen. Reyes adds "Inas-
much official charges have been made
against my country in the document sent
to the Senate l give notice to your excel
lency, In reply to those charges, 1 will pub
hsh my note of the 23d of December and
th0 present one
Replying to this on January Secretary
Hay says that he finds almost all the
propositions brought forward I'm the second
note have been considered and fully an
swered in his note of the 9th of January.
ne says, however. VIII not for mo-
ment accept the imputation of unfriendIy
motives or sentiments on the part of this
country toward Colombia, and even If CO.
lombia should persist in assuming a hostile
attitude toward us 1t will only be after the
most careful elaboration, and with extreme
reluctance, that this government would
shape Its course In accordance with the de-
plorable conditions thus created"
Under date of January IL Gen. Reyes adj
dressed Secretary Hay. stating that he finds
his arguments had not been refuted by the
otherwise f0rceful papers which he had re-
ceived. He then discusses at some length
his proposition to refer the matter to The
Hague, and concludes with a regret on the
failure Of his mission to the United States
Secretary Hay answers this note under
date Of January IL with the statement that
there is no reason to reconsider the atti-
tude of the United States as heretofore set
forth.
Beckham Not Z Candidate for Senate.