The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-20
ABAND0NS
HIS OFFICE
The Colombian President
Sails.
PEOPLE WERE DISSATISFIED
General Rafael Reyes Now on His
Way to England.
The United states-Pansma Colo ssbia
Treaty Responsible for the Pres
vsiiism Di.satisfaction--May
Agree ON a Successor.
PEOPLE WERE DISSATISFIED

Colon, June 19.--Advices from carts.
gena, Colombia. confirm previous re-
ports that 6sneral Rafael Reyes, Pcss-
ident of Colombia. has abandoned orfies
and sailed for Europe He embarked.
on board a small fruit steamer at
Santa Marta last Sunday, according TO
the information received at CartaEena,
on Monday night. 1t Is believed the
steamer is one OF the Elder Dempstex
line, bound direct for Southampton.
The Cartagena adyices state that the
Presidents trip to Europe Is known 10.
and approved by General Holquin, the
Observation-Disclosures, and the ministry,
and that IL is General Reyes's intention
to return for the meeting of Congress
on July 20. II q ministry OF his coun-
trymen so desire or in case OF a dis
turbance OF the peace which Is consid-
cred remote.
The recent trend OF affairs In CO.
lombia makes the departure of tho
President a matter or no surprise, for
IL has been openly asserted that either
his voluntary resignation from Office
or q revolutionary coup, appeared to
be the only solution for CoIombia po-
litical troubles. The support given by
President Reyes to the United states
Panama Colombia treaty, has been
partly responsible for the prevailing
dissatisfaction. The treaty Is objec-
tionable TO the general public and In
the congressional election held the last
of May, the government party suffered
a signal defeat.
After this election a committee OF
the victorious republicans had a con-
ference with President Reyes concern
Ing the details from which the follow
ing statement Is made:
General Heyes received the commit.
tee In friendly spirit. inviting an ex-
change of opinion as 70 the urgent
needs OF the country. He frankly con-
tessed that conditions were net satis-
factory and that there was alarming
discomfort everywhere and he admitted
that these were menaees 70 the main
tenance OF peace.
President Reyes declared that his
determination 20 withdraw as exeeu-
tive head OF the government was nm
aIterabie, In proof Of which he added.
he would present to tue Colombian
Congress his formal resignation fran
ONCE on July 20. He was ready. he
aaid, to place himself under the orders
OF whatever citizen the people should
elect to rule the destinles Of the coun-
try.
May Succeed TO once.
Further, he declared, he would re-
sumo the presidency only in case OF a
revolution. or only for q few hours 10
eral Ramon Gonzales Valencia, as
observation-disclosures. winch office both
General Holquin and he himself had
already urged General Valencia 20 ac-
cept.
General Reyes expressed sentiments
Of respect for popular suffrage and
disclaimed sympathy with his supports
srs who had disobeyed his Instructions
and who by their action had ignored
public opinion. He withdrew as head
Of the government now so that II would
be impossible to say later that he had
coerced Congress. since he earnestly
desired that Congress might perform
its duties freely In the correction OF
possible errors during his administers
tion.
The President expressed the belief
that the maintenance Of the peace and
the Congress of the country would be
impracticable unless the government
was representative Of all political fac
tions, since he considered that ne ono
faction alone was capable OF ruling the
destinities of the Republlc. In his
opinion, both Genera Valencia and
General Hoiquin were capable Of dAyel-
oping the harmonious policy. whiuh
would be productive OF strong ma
tional government, likely to inspire
confidence abroad. His contemplated
trip to Europe was taken to calm the
elements which had been disturbed by
the recent electoral struggle.
1t Is understood that General Reyes'S
two sons accompany him, the others Of
his family remaining in Bogota. Com.
munication with Bogota is difficult and
1T Is understood that~a strict censor
ship Is being maintained.