River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1912-02-22
ROW WITH COLUMBIA
MINISTER FROM THAT COUNTRY
SUGGESTED KNOX VISIT Is
"INoPPoRTUNE."
ECHO OF PANAMA REVOLT
Critcises U. S. for Not Arbitrating
Canal Zone Acquisition Differences.
State Department Takes the
Letter Insult.

Washington, D. C.s- A grave dip
lomatic situation between the United
States and Colombia has been precipt-
tated by the publication of letter
which Senior Pedro del Ospina, the Co.
lombian minister, has written to Act
ing Secretary Huntington Wilson of
the state department suggesting that
it might be 'inopportune" for Secre-
tary Knox to visit Colombia during
his projected tour of Central America.
The Colombian minister, first draw
ing attention to the fact that the
views are his own and not officially
those of his government, seriously
criticises the United States for not
submitting to arbitration the differ
ences with Colombia growing out of
| this governments acquisition of the
Panama canal zone.
Inasmuch as the letter admittedly is
the personal expression of the minis
ter, written without having commun-
icated with his government, it was re-
ceived at the state department in the
nature of personal insult to this gov
eminent.
No action has been taken and no
official would comment on it but the
incident is known to have stirred of.
ficials of the United States to such an
extent that the recall of the Colon.
bian minister is expected as matter
of course.
| At present, however, the United
States is disposed to wait until Senior
| Ospina receives the instructions he
has asked for. In diplomatic circles
it was believed that Colombia, smart
ing under eight years of Intellectual at.
tempts to secure arbitration of the
canal zone differences, would confirm
the unofficial views of her accredited
representative.
Profound Sensation Expected.
| A more profound sensation is look.
ed for as it is believed that termi-
nation of diplomatic relations between
this country and Colombia is in pros.
pect.
| Acting Secretary Wilson had advised
Senior Ospina of the probable itin.
erary of Secretary Knox. What Is
said to have particularly aroused the
| Colombian minister was reference
to the republic of Panama in the intin.
erary, a country the independence of
which Colombia never has recognized
Senior Ospina makes yelled refer
ence to the long delay of the United
States in answering several notes ad.
dressed to it, seeking arbitration, and
charges that this government has dis.
eliminated against Colombia in failing
to give to her arbitration which the
United States is now offering to other
members of the family of the nations.
A tentative itinerary of Secretary
Knox makes provision for a stop at
Cartagena, Colombia, on March 25.
Program Subject to Change.
The program for the cruise is ten
tative and subject to change at the
direction of the secretary. AS now
arranged, the cruiser Washington with
Secretary Knox, will leave Palm
Beach on the afternoon of Feb. %, ar
irving at Port Antonio, Jamaica, on
the morning of Feb. 25. Here the
Secretary Knox, will leave Palm
across the island to Kingston, return
ing the same day to Port Antonio
sailing later for Colon, where the sec
rotary is due on Feb. 27. The party
will proceed by rail across the 18TH
mus and returning again board the
Washington, proceed to Port Limon,
Costa RIGA, on March 2, arriving the
same day
Here the secretary's party will
leave the Washington and crossing to
Punta Arenas, board the cruiser
Maryland about March 5. They will
visit ports on the west coast of Cen
trail America, later crossing Guate
mala from San Jose to Puerto Barrios,
where the Washington will be waiting
for them.
The Washington will sail from
Puerto Barrios about March 81.