New-York tribune., 1906-06-22
COLOMBIA NOT ANGRY
MINISTER WILL REMAIN.
Denies Resentment, bat Says Panama
Claims Will Be Pressed.

Diego Mendoza, Minister of Colombia at
Washington. who is at present staying in this
city. denied last night story from Washington
that he had been withdrawn by his government
to show its resentment at the unyieldinS atti-
tude of the United States with regard to Colom-
bias claims against this country for the loss OF
Panama
Senior Mendoza said that he had obtained a
leave Of absence for the purpose Of attending
the sessions of the Interparliamentary Union to
be held next month in London. The minister de-
cIared that Colombia not resentful. but
would continue 10 present its claims until they
were recognized as he believed they would be
eventually.
"Our cause is a Just one" said Senior Men
doza, "and we will go on pressing our case until
Justice is done Colombia. whether 1t be year
or hundred years.
The dJpIornat expressed also the hope that the
United States would agree to some direct ar
rangement for the solution OF the pending ques-
tions, or to their settlement by arbitration be-
fore the meeting OF the Pan-American Congress
at Rio next month
Senior Mendoza added the interesting inforna-
tion that he has documents from different parts
CT the Republic of Panama TO prove that II the
Pananlans were left to assert their preference
independently they wo1ld place themselves again
under the flag of Colombia Most OF them he
said ARE now Colombians at heart and always
will be. / am not a soldier but I can safey
say that IL Colombia We're left 10 settle with
Panama alone the pending controversies IL
would take no longer than twenty-four hours
Continuing. the minister said:
The government of Colombia has not severed
it's relations with the United states. I have for
warded TO the State Department at Washington
a note in which inform this government that
have been granted leave of absence and that
IN the interim Eduardo Perez Triana. the secre-
tary, will be in charge. AS member or the
House of Representatives will avail myself of
the right to attend the meeting Of the Interpar-
liamentary Union which opens IN London on
July %. When I return / shall again take up
my duties as Minister to the United states.
II Is true reported that have spent several
weeks In New York, but only because OF the
poor health of my wife. No political or diplo-
matte Importance should be attached to my
absence from Washington. did not attend the
weekly diplomatic receptions at the state De
partment because i did not wish unnecessarily
to trespass on the time of Secretary Root and
because we had no other matter to discuss be-
yond the principal object Of my mission IN
Washington.
counsel to the Colombian Legation, but II is
untrue, as has been said. that he Is the author
of the notes presented by the legation In defence
of the rights and interests of Colombia. The
counsel of MIR. MacVeagh has been opportune
and disinterested. The last note presented 10
the State Department has not yet been answered
The Colombian government is sanguine that
the reply will be favorable. as II considers the
arguments irrefutable. and Colombia Is more
assured OF a favorable reply IN view or the
general movement for arbitration and justice
| in the foreign relations OF the United States
1 have asked that the solution OF the question
pending be arranged directly through the
| medium OF arbitration. and feel assured that
| the American government will accept or
| the other medium proposed before the opening
| of the Rio congress.
| In regard TO the question between Colombia
| and Panama the good offices Of the United
| States are not necessary This is an affair ex-
clusively between Colombia and Panama.