New-York tribune., 1909-07-08
M1RTI4L Law IN FOht IT,
Grare Situation in Bogot0-Ihe
FHgM Of Reyes.

Washington July THE centre OF the re-
lelIion in Colombia appears TO be at bdi an
oulIla at the mouth of the MagdaIena flv'r'
occording to adviccs received at the state De
rart,oent to-day from Paxton Hibben' secretary
f legation at Bogota. Mr. Hbben is acting
charge d'afaires pending the arrival OF Elliott
Northcott. recently appointed minister to coiom-
bia
Martial law prevails throughout the republic
the postal service has been Interrupted ana te'e-
rraphic communication has been suspended MT
Ulbban has not been able "a communicate with
Mr. Northcott for several days
The situation is exceedingly grave In Bogota,
with armed patrols guarding the streets. Con-
dftions. however are quiet for the moment. Mr.
iIibben says.
The cause Of the renewed trouble Is not indi-
Gated Predictions have been freely made. how
ever that following the departure of President
Reyes several weeks ago for Europe an uprising
would occur Reyes has announced that If
revolution occurred he would return at once to
Colombia.
General Rafael Reyes has been President Of Co
Ilnbia since January. 1905. having succeeded Sehor
Marroquin by election. His Of office d9es not
expire until 1911 Up to the present time the re-
public under his administration. has been free from
revolution or any serious internal trouble
In November. 1908. the State of Panama. then
integral part Of the Colombian Republic, proclaimed
Independence. which was speedily recognized by
the United States. Soon after this step treaty
providing for the construction Of the Panama Canal
was signed by the United States and the new re-
public Colombia greatly aggrieved over the
loss Of her richest state.
a tripartite treaty Of the Republic Of Panama
the Colombian Republic and the United States
settling controversies arising out of the sepa-
ration of Panama from Colombia arranged
IN the early part Of this year, and the agreement
was ratified by the United States Senate and the
nh
mtted to the Colombian legislature by President
REYES for ratification In February. but the objec-
tion was raised that the existing legislature
not legal the members having been in large meas
ure appointed instead of elected and 1t was de-
cded to hold elections with the idea of making
the final ratification legitimate The elections
held on May 90 and. according 10 dispatches
suited In favor of the party In power
Opposition to ratification. however. was not les
sened' judging from reports from Bogota, for the
old bitterness at the loss of Panama still exists
and there was discomfort the terms under
which Panama. according to the treaty. was to
assume portion of the Colombian debt.
This was the situation when President Reyes left
Bogota without his most intimate friends and
associates being Of his intention made his
way down to Santa Marta and quietly boarded an
English ship which started half hour later for
London. He left General Jorge Holgun, the Presi-
dent-designate of the Republic chief executive.
The two men are fast friends and their families
related by marriage. 1t given that Reyes
left the country for much needed rest, but his
sudden departure generally interpreted as a
night and revolutionary disturbances looked
for.
General Reyes had to leave Colombia surrepti-
tiously Had he announced his intention of going
lis political adherents would not have permitted the
step. His absence from the country was found 10
give opportunity and encouragement TO the political
elements opposed to him and desrous of bringing
about II change.