New-York tribune., 1912-02-20
RUPTURE WITH BOGOTA
GOVERNMENT POSSIBLE
secretary q Knox to Strike CoIom-
Tbla from His Visiting List
Unless Specially Invited.
ospINA EXPLAINS HIS NOTE
position of United States, Says
Acting Secretary Wilson, is
One of Self Contained
Unconcern.

Unconcern."
washington, Feb. 19.-Secretary Knox
~, not visit Colombia during his pro-
,osad tour Of the countries bordering on
.hs caribbean Sea, unless there is spe-
.i,I invitation from the Colombian gov
ernment
This announcement was made by Act
ing Secretary Huntington Wilson to-
light who also declared that he thought
,ucb an invitation unlikely.
Mr.. Wilson would not say whether mis-
nrediction that no invitation would be
forthcoming was based on Senor Pedro
NeI Ospina's personal letter to him,
r,ade public yesterday, or whether it was
a consequence of the strained relations
sxisting for the last eight years be-
tween the two governments over the ac-
ouisition Of the Panama Canal Zone
He intimated, however, that the State
Department felt no especial concern over
the action of the Colombian Minister
here, and was not wrought up over the
incident.
N"our position" he remarked. lis one
Of self contained unconcern.
In a statement made public tonight
sehor Ospina disclaimed any intention
Of insulting either the United States
government or Secretary Knox by his
personal notification to the State De-
partment that a visit to his country by
the Secretary would be 'inopportune."
The minister declares that his letter
was 'fntended to be couched and Is
oouched in polite and considerate Ian
g1,age. and was written to avoid any
possible unpleasantness to Secretary
Knox by a visit to Colombis-" Senor
ospina reiterated that he thought the
tr;p inopportune because the citizens OF
colombia are naturally deeply aggrieved
IN 1nd their country the only one in the
whole world with which the United
States refuses to enter into a treaty Oh
arbitration
Breach Of Etiquette.
Tho action of Senior Ospina was not
commented upon at the State Depart
p,ant to-day. There were indications
however. that Sehor Ospina's act was
4a1arded as a breach of etiquette. not so
y1uch because of the nature OF his re-
snonse to a State Department commun-
,4on hut because he had made corre-
,r,-dance public without securing the
consent of the other party thereto. Oin-
,,als versed in the language OF dlplo-
,,acv incline TO the opinion that the let
Ter itself contained no insulting IAN
guage.
senor Ospina's communication to tne
state Department, admittedly his per-
sonal view. It was said by some dlplo-
mats. probably would be confirmed by
the Colombian government This his. is as
a1ued from the fact that Senior Osplna
is political leader in the republic. IL
r,ss he who minated and practically
nlaced in Office the present President or
Colombia. He is known among tnc
Iatin-American colony here as man
Of great personal influence In his own
country. and for that reason, 1t was
rointed out to-day, Sehor Ospina felt
that he could speak without instructions
from the government which he himself
virtually established
4 severance Of diplomatic relations
therefore, is looked for here as assured
unless the United States indicates will
ingness 10 submit differences to arbitra-
ZION, which is practically Colombia's ul.
timatum.
Some Of CoIonabia's Sympathizers.
The action Of Sefior ospina found many
sympathizers to-day, not only among
members Of the Latin-Anerican diplo-
matte corps, some Of whom professed to
see political elevation even to the Pres
idency for Senor Ospina in Colombia, but
among some members of Congress as
we'll
Representative Sulzer. chairman Of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
issued a statement siding with the Co
lombgan minister in his demand for ar
hitratson
The testimony thus far sdduced be-
foreathe committee" said Representative
sulzer commenting on the progress OF
the Rainey investigation. shows con-
clusivsly that the taking of Panama was
the result of a conspiracy carefully
planned and cleverly executed. 1t cannot
be justified in morals or law. The gov
ernrent Of the United States must make
reparation for the outrage to. the repub-
lic Of Colombia. Unless this is done we
cannot expect the friendship or the trade