The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-19
NOTES EXCHANGED
BY HAY AND REYES.
President submits More COrre-
spOndence to the senate.

washington, Jan. is. - President
Roosevelt transmitted to, the Senate
to-day additional correspondence touch
ing the relation of the United States
with Colombia and Panama, cover
ing the period from Dec. %, 1908, to
Jan. 8, last.
A statement of grievances on the part
of Colombia was presented to the
State Department by Gen Reyes on
Dec. %. Gen. Reyes says that the
course of the United States had work
ed deep injury to Colombia. He MAIN
tanned that in rejecting the canal
treaty Colombia was exercising a vest
ed right, and declared his belief that
an acceptable treaty would have been
approved, but for the threats of Min
lister Beaupre that his government
would reject any amendments.
Gen. Reyes declares the United
States have injured the right of Co
lombia by IAN incredible transgression
of the limits set by equity and JUS
tice"
Before the coup de main which pro-
claimed the independence of the 18TH
mus took place at Panama, there were
in this very city agents of the au-
thors of that coup in conference with
high personages clothed with official
character, as is asserted by reputable
American newspapers. | have received
information to the effect that a bank
in New York opened a considerable
credit in their favor, with a knowledge
of the general use for which it was in
tended, even though unaware that it
was to be applied, in part, to the brib-
cry of large part of the garrison at
Panama."
Gen. Reyes declared Colombia had
ample forces to suppress the Panama
revolution had not the United States
prevented the landing of troops. He
suggests that the claims of Colombia
on account of violation of the treaty
of 1886 be referred to The Hague
Secretary Hay answered this note
under date of Jan. 5. He says the
government has carefully considered
the grave complaints made and as
sures Gen. Reyes of our most friendly
sentiments for the government and
people of Colombia. The questions
submitted, he says, can be considered
| only in the light of accomplished 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
| imputations upon the conduct and mo-
| said to have appeared in reputable
| American newspapers" Mr.. Hay
says:
by the declaration of independence
of the Republic of Panama a new sit
uation was created. On the one hand
stood the government of Colombia, in
voking in the name of the treaty of
1886 the aid of this government in its
efforts to suppress the revolution; on
the other hand stood the Republic of
Panama that had come into being in
| order 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 in
terests of the United States alone at
stake. The interests of the whole civ
ilized world were involved. The Re
public of Panama stood for these in
terests; the government of Colombia
opposed them. Compelled to choose be-
tween these two alternatives the gov
eminent of the United States. in no
wise RESPONSIBLE for the situation that
had arisen, did not hesitate. 1t recog-
nized the independence of the Repub-
lie of Panama"
Under all the circumstances, says the
secretary, the department is unable TO
regard the complaints of Colombia
against this government as having any
valid formation. This government, says
the secretary, sees no occasion for re-
sort to The Hague, the questions in
Volved being political.
The secretary, referring to questions
of diplomatic relations between Pana-
ma and Colombia, the delineation of
their respective boundaries and posi-
BILE apportionment of their mutual pc
cuniary liabilities. says that If 5uch
suggestions are put in definite ana
concrete form they will receive at the
hands of this government most care
FIJI consideration with a view to bring
ing them, in the exercise OF good OF
fces to the attention of Panama.
Under date of Jan. 6, Gen. Reyes
submits another note, saying Secretary
Hay's note is construed as an intima-
tion that the Colombian forces will be
attacked by the United States on their
entering territory of Panama to sub
dine the rebellion. and for that rea-
son it would hold the government or
the United States responsible Tor the
injury caused to it by the loss of ma
tionai territory.
Hay saws that he finds almost all the
nronositions brought forward in the
second mote have been considered and
answered in his note of Jan. 5. Secre-
tary Hay adds
"Even if Colombia should persist in
assuming a hostile attitude toward us,
it will only be after the most careful
deliberation, and with extreme relpc-
lance. that this government would
shape its course in accordance with
the deplorable conditions thus Great
ed"
Under date Of jan II, Gen. Reyes
addresses Secretary Hay, stating that
he finds his arguments had not been
refuted by the otherwise forceful papers
which he has received.
Secretary Hay answers this note
under date of Jan. 10. with the state
ment that there is no reason to re-
consider the attitude of the United
States, as heretofore set forth.