New-York tribune., 1912-02-20

NAPOLEON.
of our sister republics in Central and
South America The Committee on For
eign Affairs will proceed diligently with
the investigation"
Mr.. Suffers remarks are In conflict
with what is said to be the attitude ot
the State Department toward Colombia's g
demand for arbitration Of the dispute
growing out of the partition of Panama.
ii being held by this government that
any differences in connection with the
affair were wholly between Panama and
Colombia, and that the United States as
q third party has nothing to arbitrate.
Denounees Our Methods.
Representative Rainey Of Illinois. au-
thor of resolution to submit Colombia's
damage claims TO arbitration, denounced
to-day the methods used by the United
States to acquire the Panama Canal
Zone.
Minister Ospina's letter" he said.
sible conduct for almost 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.. Rainey as "the
blacklist page in our history as q ma
ton" 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-
partment"
In statement Of comment on the
Knox trip prepared a week ago but not
made public until too day the Colombian
minister foresaw a possible recognition
by the United States Of the demands Of
Colombia for arbitration.
IF Mr.. Knox, as I sincerely hope"
wrote Se6or Ospina at the time. us now
fully cognizant Of all the facts on which
the claims OF Colombia rest, l have no
doubt that his visit to my country will
be fruitful, for he will find that the pop
ular feeling which at present prevails
there, as in most South American coun-
tries, with regard to the United States
was mainly caused by the manner in
which that traditional ally Of the United
States, Colombia was treated In 1903 and
1904 In connection with the severance
of Panama, and by there having been so
far no equitable settlement Of Colombia's
claims growing out Of that conduct
What "Good coiombians" Want.
"All good Colornbians are heartily de-
sirous that such a 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 Cor
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-
quent development Of increasing COM
mercial relations with the United States,
be restored. And l cannot but hope that
Mr.. Knox, who, with President Taft, is
one Of the foremost champions OF gen
eral international arbitration, will take
advantage Of his visit TO Colombia to
show the world his sincerity. either
there or here, by facilitating the OPEN
ing Of the door TO satisfactory settle
ment Of these claims by an arbitration
honorable to both government and prof
table to both countries"
Senior Ospina smiled when he was re-
minded Of that comment to-day The
situation has changed" he said. 1T is
different now"
During the week, it is reported. init
nations came to the Colombian minister
that Secretary Knox was not bound on
mission OF pacification Of Latin-Ameri-
can troubles. To Senior Ospina, who on
November % last presented a third re-
quest from his government for arbitra-
tion, and 10 which no reply had come
the expected. benefit Of the Knox trip
vanished. His letter to Acting Secretary
Huntington Wilson of the State Depart
ment. expressing his personal views that
Mr.. Knox's trip would not be timely,
followed as a consequence.
Panama, Feb 19.-President Rodolfo
Chlari to-day gave out the following
statement regarding the approaching
visit Of Secretary Of State Knox;
'Both the government and the people
of Panama will extend to Secretary Of
State Knox most cordial welcome dur
ing the time he will honor us with his
presence. am sure he will be able TO
arpreciata the sincere friendly sentiment
that all Panamans have for the United
States"
Norfolk. Va Feb 1s.-The srmored
cruiser Washington sailed to-day from the
Norfolk navy yard for Palm Beach. Fla, TO
take aboard Secretary of State Knox for
his trip TO the republics on the Caribbean
Sea and in Central America.
BRITISH CABINET ATTACKED
rrn;a,;,te Taunt Ministry with