Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-02-20
JUST A WEEK AGO
OSPINA WAS GLAD
TO WELCOME KNOX
But He Thaught Visit Meant
United States Would Recog-
nize CoIombia'S Claim to Ar
bitEate .
CBy Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 1s.-No change
was made today in State Secretary
Knox Latin-American itinery because
of the Colombian minister's letter Of
protest
The department Will await word direct
from the Bogota government before
altering its plans. Some intimation
either systematically confirming or re-
pudiating the action of its representa-
lives in washington, is expected within
the next "a hours.
No action of any kind in the matter is
possible before tomorrow.
Profoundi disappointment on re-
ceiving intimations that Secretary
Knox did not contemplate CIV
ing Colombia any assurance OF the
ultimate arbitration Of her claimo
against the United States was generally
ascribed today as the reason for the eX-
preston from Senior Pedro Mel Ospinas-
Colombian minister, last night tnGe
visit by Mr.. Knox to his country at the
present time would be "inopportune.
II developed today that when Senior
Ospina first read the White House an
nouncement a week ago stating that
President Taft had directed the secretary
of state to visit the countries bordering
on the Caribbean sea. he hailed IT with
unconcealed enthusiasm.
In a statement OF comment on the
Knox trip, prepared at that time, but
not made public until today. the Co
lombian minister foresaw possible
recognition by the United States Of the
demands OF Colombia for arhitration OF
the differences growing out Of the paru-
ton of Panama and the acquisition by
this government of the canal zone strip.
WAS DELIGHTED THEN
eff Mr. Knox, as I sincerely hope,
wrote Senior Ospina at the time, is now
fully cognizant of all the facts on which
claims OF Colombia rest, have no doubt
that his visit to my country Will be
fruitful. for he will find that the popular
feeling which at present prevails there
there as in most all South American
countries with regard TO the United
States was mainly caused by the man.
ner in which that traditional ally of
the United States, Colombia, was treat
ed in 1903 and 1904 in connection with
the severance of Panama, and by there
having been so far no equitable settle
ment of Colombia's claims growing out
of that conduct.
"All good Colombians are heartily de-
sirous that such feeling there, as else
where in South America, be appeased.
The sooner the better; 1t is never too
late to do right Colombia does not ask
that her contentious be accepted at her
assertion. She has simply demanded for
the last eight years that her claims be
arbitrated so that, whatever the result
of that arbitration may be, confidence
and sincere friendship with the conse-
ouent development OF increasing COM
mercial relations with the United States
be restored and / cannot but hope that
Mr.. Knox, who. with President Taft, is
one of the foremost champions of gem
eral international arbitration, will take
advantage of his visit to Colombia TO
show the world his sincerity either there
the door to a satisfactory settlement Of
these claims by an arbitration honorable
to both governments and profitable to
both countries"
SITUATION HAS CHANGED
Senior Ospina smiled when ne was re-
minded of that comment today.
The situation has changed" he
said; lit is different now
During the week, it is reported, In
timations came to the Colombian min
lister that Secretary Knox was not
bound on a mission of pacification or
Latin-American troubles. To Senior Os-
pima, who on November 20 last, pre-
scented a third request from his govern
ment for arbitration and to which no
reply had come, the expected benefit
of the Knox trip vanished. His letter
to Acting Secretary Huntington Wilson,
of the state department expressing his
personal views that Mr.. Knox's trip
would not be timely, followed as con-
sequence.
Though Senior Ospina in that letter
emphasized that he was speaking on
his own behalf and without instruction
from mis- government, II is known that
Senior Ospina came here on May 81
last with a definite idea OF the posi-
ton of his government in the dispute
of eight years standing, and the atti-
tude he was to assume here.
Senior Ospina declared IN mis- letter
to Mr.. Wilson that he hal asked his
government to mall him instructions
This, he explained today. would be a
matter of IL days at least. Senior Os-
pima apparently is confident that his
government will reiterate that Mr..
Knox's visit would be 'inopportune."
DENIES HE MEANT INSULT.
The thought of personal insult, which
position the state department is report
ed to have taken as to the tenor OF
Senior Ospina's convention, had not oc-
CURED to aim, the Colombian minister
said today.
He had intended only TO set forth the
impatience of his government at not
receiving what he considered TO be
proper consideration of his notes. The
contents of the last note asking for
arbitration, presented in November,
never have been made public. but IT
is understood that the language is no
less insistent tnan the references made
by Senior Ospina in his letter to Mr..
Wilson.
SCORES UNITED STATES METHODS
The letter incident brought out state
ament today by Representative Rainey,
of Illinois. author of a resolution to sub
NIT Colombia's damage claims to arbi-
tration. in which he denounced meth
DDS used by the United States to ac-
quire the Panama canal zone.
Minister Ospina's letter." he said,
''forcibly calls attention to our indefensf-
BILE conduct for nearly ten years in re-
fusing Colombia the arbitration she has
requested"
The Panama incident, which has been
the subject of committee investigation.
was denounced by Mr.. Ralney as "the
blacklist page in our history as a ma
tion." He charged that the revolution
was engineered by "a New York pro-
moter'' with the sanction and aid of
President Roosevelt and the state de-
psrtment