New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-31
WILLHONOR EXPLORERS
MONUMENT By COLOMBIA.
TO Brothers of President Reyes
Lost Life ON Amqaon.

Bogota, Colombia, May 5 (Specia)-Accepting
the suggestion of Eel Correo Nacional," and in re-
Spouse to the desire expressed from al parts Of
the republic. the national assembly has enacted
law for the erection in Bogota of a monument TO
peTpetuate the memory of Nestor and Enrique
Reyes brothers OF President Rafael Reyes, both of
Whom met their death a result of their explora-
ton Of the Amazon in the interest OF science. On
this monument, which is to be fine specimen of
the scuptors art, will be placed the commence
rauVe tablet which the Pan-American Congress in
Mexico dedicated to the explorers. and which
appears this inscription:
ITO the explorers Nestor and ENRIQUE Reeves
martyrs OF the American Civilization"
The following inscription will be added:
The Republic Of Colombia to her meritorious
sons, the Reyes brothers-National Constitutional
and Legislative Assembly of 1907"
From a scientific point of View the explorations
that the Reyes brothers made OF the Amazon ana
Its branches equal in interest and Importance the
| trips of the most intrepid ancient and modern
| plorers General Rafael Reyes the only of
the three brothers 10 return from that memorable
| trip. Nc5tor was killed by of q savage tribe
! and Enrique died of fever
Great tribute is paid these for their courage
and selfabuegation for they persisted despite the
| danger which lay in their path. The regions dis
covered are rich. and they aided by their services
| men like DOrbigny. La Condanme and other ex-
! piorers of the Amazon regions
The discoveries of the Reyes brothers revealed to
| the towns on the borders of the Amazon, and
m
merce and inostinabe riches. They furnished the
continent with the idea TO complete the plan of the
Pan-American railroad by means OF the navigation
OF the Rio Plate to the Amazon. and from there to
the Orinoco River.
The report of the commission. which was favora-
BILE to the monument project said in part:
IF the work Of those who give to their country
titles with which TO save its integrity is TO be
called patriotism, Colombans must proclaim
iar and wide that the explorations of the Reyes
brothers deserve that term. The discovery which
they made in the name of Colombia before any one
else had done so In the name of any other country
from the mountains of the CaquetA and the Putu-
mayo has placed US in a position to avoid any in
frlngement upon a good part of the Anazonic re-
sions which are by this achievement rlghtfulIy
ours. The Pan-American conferences in Mexico
and in Rio de Janeiro and the press of the civilized
world, have recognized moro or less explicitly the
merits of the Reyes brothers as discoveries and
hTst occupants of the mountains Of Caqueta and
Putumayo; and the Reyes brothers covered their
conquests with the name of Colombia.
The privations that the explorer went through
cannot be Observation-Disclosures half frozen with
the cold In tho heights OF the Cordllcras. guided
ny their compass across the dense mist again near
death in some crypt in the ground crossing treach-
erous rivers by means of holding to trees and al
ways exposed to wild animals and to man himself
when he has not experienced the benefits of civll-
cation. Many months employed navigating
the river Putumayo. for the explorers did not only
study its shores, explore It's important branches
ana make friends with the Indians eX-
anime and study their customs. last, after
innumerabe dangers and exhausted they reached
the Amazon. a happy termination the prize
Tor al the suferngs and priVations. supported only
by the love for country and science: the Putumayo
was navigable for many miles. The most accessible
route from Colombia to Brazil had been discovered
After many sacrifices there arrived period OF
calamity to the Reyes brothers Enrique, who had
explored the rivers UcayaH. Alto Amazonas. Yurua.
Yaharf and others, died while exploring the last
Taken i'll with bad fever. he commanded his
wants 10 dress him IN black the day OF his
death. lie said: AS long as am going 20 die far
from all mine, wish to receive death 1oyfully and
with my feast day clothes on" He then asked his
servant 70 read to him the Orations for the Dying
and expired peacefully. The boat sailed TO
Iquitos, where It arrived the same day. The au-
thorities of Peru received the body and buried Il
with great pomp, and later on they erected
marble monument In his memory. His remains
claimed by his brother Rafael conducted TO
Bogota, and now repose in the cathedral OF that
city.
Nestor accompanied his brother Rafael In the ex
ploTation Of the rivers Putumayo and caqueta
Rafael left him IN charge OF a commission in the
Alto Pu5Umayo. and they decided to meet twenty
days later. but rs Nestor failed 10 appear, Rafael
feared that he had been sacrificed by the Indians