The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-19
MEANT NO INSULT.
Senior Ospina Probably VIII Be Backed
by His Government

MEANT NO INSULT.
Senior Ospina Probably VIII Be Backed
by His Government
washington, Feb. 1e=Profount
disappointment on receiving intima-
tons that Secretary Knox did not con
template giving Colombia any assur-
ance of the ultimate arbitration Of hel
claims against the United States was
generally ascribed today as the reason
for the expression from Senior Pedro
Mel Ospina, the Colombian minister
that visit by Mr.. Knox to his coun-
try at the present time would be ''in-
opportune.''
It developed today that when Senior
Ospina first read the White House an
nouncement week ago stating that
/ of state to visit the countries border
ingon 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
Colombian minister foresaw a possible
recognition by the United States of the
( demands of Colombia for arbitration
partition of Panama and the acquisi-
ton by this government of the canal
zone
IF Mr.. Knox as I sincerely hope"
wrote Senior Ospina at the time, lis
now fully cognizant of all the facts on
-@SN~~@AI N~C-C%-@D-~-
have no doubt that his visit to my
country will be fruitful, for he will
ind that the popular feeling which
at present prevails there as in most all
southern American countries with
regard to the United States, was main
ly caused by the manner in which that
traditional ally of the United States,
Colombia was treated in 1903 and
of Panama and by there having been
SO far no equitable settlement of
Colombia's claims growing out of that
conduct
"All good Colombians are heartily
DESTROYS that such a feeling there as
elsewhere in South America be ap-
peased.
1.-THE sooner the better: It is never
not ask that her contentious be ac-
cepted at her assertion.
Only Asks Arbitration.
"She has simply demanded for the
last eight years that her claims be
arbitrated so that whatever the re-
hdence and sincere friendship with
the consequent development of in
creasing commercial relations with the
United States be restored
Senior Ospina smiled as he was re-
minded of that comment today. 1.-The
has changed he said. "It is
different now"
During the week, it Is reported in
lister that Secretary Knox was not
bound on a mission of pacification of
Latin-American troubles. To Senior
Ospina, who on November 25 last pre-
scented third request from his gov
eminent for arbitration and to which
no reply had come. the expected bene-
fit of the Knox trip vanished. His
letter to Acting Secretary Huntingto
Wilson of the state department ex-
his personal views that Mr..
Knox's trip would not be timely, fol-
lowed as a consequence.
Speaks by the Gard.
Though Senior Ospina in that let
ter emphasized that he was speaking
on his own behalf and without ipstruc-
ton from his government, it is known
that Senior Ospina came here on May
81 last with a definite idea of the spo- |
sition of his government in the dis !
pute of eight years standing and the |
attitude he was to assume here.
Senior Ospina declared in his letter |
20 Mr.. Wilson that he had asked his
government to mail instructions. This
ne explained today would be a matter |
IF twelve days at least.
Senior Ospina apparently is conf
lent that his government will reiter-
ate that Mr.. Knox's visit would be Gin
The thought of personal insult,
which position the state department
s reported to have taken as to the
chOA u 0ChOA OSP4Ad COAAI1H uHICd-
ion had not occurred to him, the Co
UNI bian minister said today. He had
Intended only to set forth the impa-
fence of his government at not re-
.eiving what he considered to be prop
r consideration of its notes. The con-
ents of the last note asking for arbi-
ration, presented in November, never
lave been made public but it is IN
lerstood the language is no less in
istent than the references made by |,
senior Ospina in his letter to Mr.. Will
on.