New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-12
GEN. REYES'S REPORT.
U4RNING TO COLONBI4.
MischieJOu8 Possibilities Of Demo
cratic Pollen .ShO1cH.
rrRoN -nE rE1nrNr rrREAr.

Washington. Feb. 1.-THE following dispatch.
which has just come 20 light sent 70 the
government at Bogota by General Reyes from
Washington on November %:
Arrived 2Sth. Treaty signed with Panamans.
American government guarantees Panama's in
dependence. with taCit aCquiescenCe OF European
and American nations Hostile action by Co
lombia would aggravate situation. I snail ini-
tate negotiations anew TO safeguard CClombia's
rights. Chilian Legation manifests vivid SYM
uathy for Colombia. but will not go beyond.
Inform me Of situation Of Colombia 10 deny ru-
u.ors REYES
No official copy Of this dispatch is i'm pos
session Of the state Department, and it cannot.
therefore. be laid before the Senate. but it Is
regarded as a very valuable contribution 10 the
history OF the Panama episode. TO be closed by
the ratification Of the treaty next week, in all
probability. General Reyes. it appears, lost no
time, after reaching this country. in finding
out the real state Of affairs and in counselns
his friends against rashness. His intelligence
and craftsmanship enabled him promptly to
reach conclusions IN marked contrast TO the per-
sstent determination Of some Of the Democratic
Senator'S to misunderstood the revolution and TO
distort the facts for political purposes.
But General Reyes's dispatch has additional
value IN showing beyond question the mischiev-
Gus results that were likely to arise from South
American Interpretation of the Democratic pol
icy Of delay and attacks on the administration.
emphasized by The Tribune two months ago.
That deplorable developments were encouraged
by the Democratic attitude. perhaps unwtting
Is, but nevertheless efectuaIly, is thought to be
clearly shown by General Reyes's guarded ref
erences 20 the vivid sympathy Of Chilli. which
even 10 this day has so successfully eXerted its
influence as to prevent single South American
republic. except Peru, from formally recOgniz-
ing the independence Of Panama. and il was 10
stop this sympathetic movement and show the
futility Of forCible resistance TO the United States
that the eminent Colombian statesman immedi-
ately directed himself General Reyes knew
that President Marroquin. relying on his own
treaty. negotiated several years ago. which gave
Chilli rights equal TO those possessed by the
United States under the treaty Of 1916 with
New-Granada, with the added assurance that
Chill would actively assist Colombia in preserv-
ing her territorial integrity, might al any mo-
ment commit some overt act under the delusio1
that President RooseVelt's support OF Panama
was likely 10 be repudiated 10y Congress. With
IN twenty-four hours after he arrived IN WASH
inEton General Reyes not only satisfied himSeli
that the great majority Of Congress and the
people were heartily In accord with the Presi-
dent. but that. however vivid" was the sym
pathy Of Chilli and other South American couu-
tries il could only be- sympathy i'm the abstract
a s the Democratic opposition could be no more
than mIschievous and imrracucaole pohtlcs.
For two months after this dispatCh was sent
70 BogOJa General Reyes remained in W ash
ingtOu endeavorlug 10 devise an a0Cahle ar
raugement 10y which his country would receive
some compensation FOR the loss % the canal con-
cession. and finally, falling In that. he Is now
tangible consolation from the French canal
company.