The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1912-02-22
DIPLOMATIC ROW
WITH COLUMBIA.
MINISTER FROM THAT COUNTRY
SUGGESTED KNOX VISIT IS
"INoPPORrUNE."
Critcises U. S. for Not Arbitratina
Canal Zone Acquisition Differences.
State Department Takes the
,. BIG. Letter Insult. .. *

Washington, Feb. 2O.-A grave dip
0matic situation between the United
States and Colombia has been precipi-
tated by the publication of a letter
which Senior Pedro del Ospina, the Co
lombian minister, has written to Act.
Ing Secretary Huntington Wilson of
tho state department suggesting that
it might be "inopportune' for Score
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 f..
Inasmuch as the letter admittedly is
the personal expression of the minis.
ter, written without having commun.
icated with his governme mt, 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.
f1cials of the United States to such an
extent that the recall of the Colon.
bian minister is expected as a 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.
tsmpts to secure arbitration of the
canal some differences, would confirm
the unofficial views Of her accredited
representative. -.
Profound Sensation Expected.
A more profound sensation is look.
Cd for as it is believed that a 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 a reference
to the republic of Panama in the intin
erary, 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 Is.
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
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. 81. 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. 'r ... -,
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 Guete.
mala from San Jose to Puerto Barrios,
where the Washington will be waiting
for them. @ Ill.,.
The Washington will sail from
Puerto Barrios about March q.