The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-19
GRIEVANCES
AS STATED BY GEN. REYES,
AND JOHN HAYS ANSWER
Interesting Batch of Correspond
ence Transmitted by the Presi-
dent to the Senate.
INSINUATIONS BY REYES
AS to American Action on the 18th
mus, Which the Secretary OF
State Resented.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Is - FreSlue"t
Roosevelt transmitted to the Senate to-day
additional correspondence touching the re-
lations of the United States with Colombia
and Panama, covering the period from
Dec. %. 1903. to Jan. 6, last.
A statement of grievances on the part OF
Colombia was presented to the State De
partment by General Reyes on Dec. q
General Reyes says that the course of the
United States had worked deep injury TO
Colombia and he cited the treaty of 1916
as showing that the independence and
sovereignty of Colombia was 10 BE- main
tanned intact between the two governments.
AS to the recognition OF the republic OF
Panama, General Reyes says that ii is a
matter of public knowledge that the moth
er country commands sufficient forces TO
subdue a revolution. THE attitude OF the
United States" he says. constitutes
cOrding TO the most ancient and modern au-
thority on international law not only
great offense, but also formal attack on
her wealth."
After declaring that Panama formed the
most important part of the national wealth
Of Colombia, General Reyes continues: IF
there be eternal and immutable principle
of right. that right of Colombia has been
injured by the United States by an incredi-
BILE transgression of the limits set by equity
and justice. Before the coup de main, which
proclaimed the independence OF the isthmus,
took place at Panama there were in this
very city agents of the authors of that
coup. In conference with high personages
clothed with official character, as is assert
ed by reputable American newspapers. l
have received information to the effect that
bank in New York opened considerable
credit in their favor with a knowledge of
the general use for which it was intended.
even though unaware that Ii was TO be
applied in part, to the bribery Of a large
part OF the garrison at Panama"
Before the news was divulged that
revolution was about to break out on the
| isthmus General Reyes says that American
cruisers, which reached their destination
| practically on the eve OF the movement
| were blowing the waters Of the Atlantic
and Pacific oceans. A United States mill
| tary officer, he says, stopped the railway
| from carrying to Panama, ii was under
| obligation to do, a battalion of troops from
| Bogota, which had just arrived at Colon
| lat the very time when its arrival in that
city would have impeded or suppressed any
| revolutionary attempt"
| General Reyes said that in leading the
Colombian army to restore order the
| isthmus he (Reyes) had the honor to adj
dress a note on the subject to Rear Ad-
| without delay, as follows: His (Cogh-
| lans) present orders are to prevent the
landing of soldiers with hostile intent with
4
NO OVERLAND ROUTE.
| At this time the Colombian army con-
sisted of 10000 men, which General Reyes
| declared TO be more than sufficient to sup
press the Panaman revolution, '1f your
Excellency's government had not prevented
the landing of the troops under my COM
mand that were to embark at Puerto Co.
lombia." In this connection General Reyes
calls attention to the fact that there is
no overland way TO reach Panama from
| Colombia. In conclusion General Reyes
proposed to submit the matter to the arbi-
| irrational tribunal OF The Hague
! Secretary Hay answered this note under
| date of Jan. 8. He says the government
has carefully considered the grave COM
| plants made and assures General Reyes
| OF our most friendly sentiments for the
government and people Of Colombia. The
| questions submitted, he says, be con-
| sidered only in the light of accomplished
| facts, of which one is that the Republic OF
Panama has become member of the fam
| lily OF nations.
THE department has read with surprise. -
| Mr.. Hay comments, your repetition OF
| gross imputations upon the conduct and mo-
yves OF this government, which are said to
| have appeared in reputable American news
papers" Mr.. Hay reviews In detail, first
the necessity of a waterway connecting the
two oceans, and, secondly, all the legislative
and diplomatic procedure which has taken
place to secure that end. He repeats what
is already known as to the administration
| attitude. Under all the circumstances -
says the secretary, 1.-The department is un-
able TO regard the complaints Of Colombia
against the government as having any valic
foundations"
Under date of Jan. General Reyes sub
mfts 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
note is construed, he says, as an intimatior
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 1t would hold the gov.
eminent of the United States for all dam.
ages caused to IL by the loss OF that nationa
territory.
| Replying to this Jan. 9, Secretary Hay
| says: Il will not for a moment accept the
imputation of unfriendly motives or senti
ments on the part of this country TO-
ward Colombia, and even If Colombo
should persist in assuming a hostile atti
tude towards us 1t will only be after the
most careful elaboration, and with ex.
IRENE reluctance, that this government
would shape its course in accordance Will
the deplorable conditions thus created"
| Under date of Jan. II, Gen. Reyes adj
| dressed Secretary Hay stating that his ar
guments had not been refuted by the other
wise forceful papers which he had re
ceived.
Secretary Hay answers this note under
date OF Jan. u with the statement thai
there Is nc reason to reconsider the atti
tude Of the United States a S heretofore Sc
| forth