New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-06
COLOMBLA,S NEK PRESIDENT

Colombia is TO be heartily congratulated upon
her special election for President TO fill out the
unexpired term of General Reyes, in respect Of
both its conduct and its result. In Orderliness
and integrity IL appears TO have been worthy of
any enlightened nation, and it may fairly be as
sumed that its result will be not merely undis-
puted but unhesitatingy and Loyalty accepted by
men of all parties. The character of the sue
cessful candidate certainly gives added force to
the deSirability of such an acceptance.
Much is known Of General Ramon Gonzales
who is commonly but inaccurately called by the
maternal cognomen OF Valencia-and IL is all
strongly in his favor. He was the second gen
eral officer in command on the government side
in that revolution Of 1S99-19O2. which proved 10
be drawn game" In 1904 he was a candidate
for the Nice-Presidency on the ticket with Mr..
Nelez, the candidate who opposed General Reyes
for the Presidency Mr.. Velez made his cam
paign on the strength Of having been the leader
in rejecting the Hay-Herran treaty, and on that
issue he was defeated by General Reyes But
General GonZales-Nalenca did not run on that
issue and in fact had not opposed that treaty,
and accordingly he was elected. the Colombian
system permitting the election Of a President
from one ticket and Nice-President from an
other. Although his relations with President
Reyes were then. as always, entirely cordial Il
seemed best that he should retire from the Vice
no temptation 10 attempt revolution and ac-
cordingly through the mediation OF the Apostolic
Delegate he resigned his place in the spring of
1893. Since that time he has taken little part
In political affairs, and has spent his time
chiefly al his home at Santander. He is a man
OF wealth, culture. integrity and unquestioned
devotion TO the national welfare.
He will unhapply have only one year In Office,
and will be constitutionaUy ineligible for re-elec-
ton. General Reyes was elected In August 1904
for the constitutional term Of six years, which
was specially extended by the Assembly TO ten
years for him alone If he continued 10 serve.
Had he not resigned, therefore. he could have
remained in Office until 1914. but the moment he
resigned the extension Of four years was auto
matically abrogated and the term became only
six years. expiring in August of next year. at
which time another President. 10 succeed General
Gonzales Valencia. will have TO be chosen In
one year, however, the President will have
opportunity 10 do much good work for Colombia.
That country has made fine progress in all re-
spects in the last five years and while General
GOnZales-Falencia will, of course not slavishly
follow the lead Of his predecessor, he may prob
ably be depended upon 10 maintain the undoubt-
eddy good policies of the Reyes administration
and TO change others only to improve them. IL
result Of General Reyess resignation the
National Congress shall be moved 10 reconsider
its hostility 10 the tripartite treaty for the set
Element of the Panama dispute, and shall ratfy
that instrument, there can be no doubt that the
interests of Colombia will be promoted. The
treaty affords that country an opportunity OF
putting all its external relations ON a pleasant
footing and of getting handsome cash solatium
for the loss of the isthmus. II Is an opportunity
which may never occur again and which de-
serves 10 be imnroved