New-York tribune., 1906-12-30
REYES CONSPIRACY TOLD.
attempt ON Life of President of
Colombia Related an Nesc Book.

There has just been published In this city a book
containing more than three hundred pages embrace
ing all the official documents and the history Of the
conspiracy against the life Of President Rafael
Reyes Of Colombia The volume bears the title
"El Diez de Febrero'' CThe Tenth of February)
which was the date on which an attempt was made
to assassinate General Reyes.
The story. which is literally illustrated shows.
without any effort at concealment and contrary to
the general opinion. that the conspiracy was
fraught with great political sgnihcanc. to the per-
sons implicated. The four unfortunates who were
arrested. tried and executed. it was recognfzed
were only the tools of others higher up. 1t was the
hrst time In many years that the death penalty was
applied In Colombia But the offence was too grave
Tor any clenency and the sentence was duly car
ried out The would-be assassfns were shot to
death.
Inat notwiths landing the good that President
Reyes has wrought out of a desperate situation re
storing the credit of Colombia after she had been
almost oankrupted he still has enemies who would
take his lfe Is commentary the restlessness Of
spirit OF South Americans and the dihc1Itv ~ yi,
ming their appreciation.
The attempted assassination of President Reeves
was as unexpected it was bold. In his term Of
ONCE ne has reconciled TO his government every
political faction in the republic by his policy which
mas proved Of inestimabe benefit to his country
Neither he nor his supporters however took info
account the men who tried TO assassinats him. who
belong 10 just the class Of men whom President
Aeyes mas not tried to reconcile and who continue
as his enemies. Their number though is small
What the four hoped to accomplish bv the
Klliins or General Reyes nobody knows, but their
future plans. 1T is believed at Bogota were not az
well matured as were the immediate plans for ths
assassination.
On February 10. which day has been made ono
that will figure in Colombia's history, President
Reyes followed his daily custom and went driving.
He was accompanied by one of his daughters,
Sonora Sofia Reyes de Valenzuela, and the box
of the state carriage beside the coachrnan. one
OF the Presidents adiutants.
The conspirators who mounted, waited for
their quarry IN Barrocolorado. suburb Of the cap
ital, and followed the generals carriage without
arousing any suspicion. Finally they spurred their
horses. and. coming alongside of the state coach,
opened fire. Despite the terrific fusiade of bullets
President Reyes and his daughter escaped with
their lives. The Presidents guard. in returning the
fire, wounded of the men, who quickly
taken from the by his comrades The arrest.
trial and execution followed.
The prologue to the story presents comprehen-
sive summary of some of the important projects
dertaken by the government under President Reyes.
which have added so materially TO Colombfa's
commercial and financial advancement in the last
few years. The political wisdom and frnnness of
policy and purpose of the President. it is shown.
have practically obrterated disorders that
once prevalent. and by opening fields OF in
dustry and employment have brought contentnlent
to his people.
eel Diez de Febrero" tells of the efforts of
President Reyes and the things which he has ac-
complished:
The Presidents work -aas been ponderous and
difficult exceptionally delicate and diversified. He
has re-estabished order in the Treasury, service.
has re-establshed amicable relations with neigh
boring countries; adjusted boundary treaty with
Ecuador; has arranged modus vivendi with Peru
in the matter of the limits Of the Amazon prelirn
mary the definitive settlement of the question
and has extended the foreign relations of Colombia
with other nations IN a manner that has resulted
In the presence in Bogota OF a larger diplomats
corps than has been there.
The government under President Reyes has also
entered into for the construction OF the
following railroads: From Puerto Berrio to Medel-
Lin: from Puerto Berrio TO La Dorado: from
Puerto Witches TO Bucaramanga. from Riohacha
to Vaedupar
The university has been re-establshed and the
number of primary schools has been augmented.
There has been founded the Central Bank with
capItal of SS0OO00O. The government has. in
fact set an example that has been stimulus to
the work and perseverance of the public employees
in the discharge OF their duties