The Washington times., 1906-03-13
REYES MAY RESIGN
FROM PRESIDENCY
COlOmbia'S Executive Said
to Be in Bad Health.
CALDER0N IS MENTIONED
Former Minister to Washington Likely
TO Be Chosen Temporary
Successor.
CALDERON IS MENTIONED

Word has reached Official circles IN
Washington that Gen. Rafael Reyes.
President Of the United States of Co
lombia. viii temporarily. if not perma-
nenuy, retire from Office because or i'll
health, and will be succeeded by Senor
Climamo Calderon, for many years con
sui general TO New York and later min
lister TO Washington.
It is understood that the report OF the
coming change in the head of the CO.
lombian administration originated from
the consul general TO New York. The
State Department has not vet been mott
fed by Minister Barrett. at Bogota but
at the Colombian legation il IS stated
that II IS known that such a step has
been contemplated by General Reyes.
Retirement Not Permanent.
President Reyes does net mean to re-
tire. at least not at the present time,
according TO the statement of a member
of the Colombian legation. For some
time the President has been IN i'll health,
and recently he planned 10 take ii vaca-
ton of several weeks, and perhaps sew
e-aI months, in order to recuperate. A.
Colombia has no Vice President, the
constitution provides that the President
shall designate who shall be acting
President during his absence from Office
In case OF permanent retirement or
death. however. a special election neCes-
sarily would be held.
SenOr Calderon is looked upon as one
OF the ableSt statesmen in Colombia and
j a loyal supporter OF the Reyes party.
Early during the present administration
he was made minister Of foreign affairs
and recently Colombian minister. Senor
Mendoza, was advised that he had been
designated by General Reyes to act for
p i'm in Y hea
should be such as to compel him tenn
poTarily TO relinCuish the reins of the
Office.
Well Known in Washington.
senor CaIderon IS well known IN
Washington and became popular in the
Diplomatic Corps during his term of
office here several years ago. For near
" fifteen years he was consul general
in New York. after which he entered
the diplomatic service. Washington be
Ing his first post, Just previous to com
Ing TO this city he was married in Lon
don 10 Miss TTiana. sister to Senior
Iriana, now first secretary of the Iega-
uOn IN this city. and the couple achieved
marked popularity in Washington So
ciety. Upon Senior CalderOD's return m
take an important Office with his govern
ment. he was succeeded in Washington
by Senior F'ilba.
for several months. because of locomotOr
ataxta, which developed from an old
wound received by the aged general in
battle. General Reyes was elected onIV
two years ago for a term of ten years
Fears for Life.
Recent reports from Colombia Indicate
that General Reyes has come to live in
great fear lest his life be taken bv
political assassins.
Only few weeks ago the general was
fired upon while driving with members
of his family. A number o. horsemen
opened a vOlIey from ambush. eight
shots being fired, i've of which struck
the carriage. Neither the general nor
any of his campanions was struck. Re
cent advices received at the legation in
this city are to the effect that four Of
the hOTseTnen. who were captured. have
been shot. and the others NAV soon he
apprehended. As a result of political
intrigue, former minister of war was
tried by court-martial and banished from
the country, and the present chief of
police is now awaiting his fate on slni
lar charges