The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-25
No Doubt of German
Plans in Latin
America.
OFFICER OF NAVY
CONFIRMS RUMOR
Despite Official Denials, 1t Is
Known That Kaiser Is Using
Colombia's Hatred of United
States to Further His
Power and In
fluencc.
Especial to The rimes.Dispa,ch. ]

Washington. March 24.--Ihdditional
light on Germany's eff orns TO strengthen
ttill further her influence and her po-
sition In South and Central America,
and especially along the Colombian
coast line near the Northern entrance
to tho Panama Canal. is cast by =
high naval officer. who recently re-
turned from Central America after
passing several months there on con-
fdentiai business for the Nay De-
partmcnt.
This officers attention had already
been called to the information pub
lished n fortnight ago Of the neGotia-
tions between Germany and Colombia
Tor the lease or sale OF certain har-
bors on Colombia's Atlantic coast ard
OF the coincldent emphatic revival at
Washington OF Colombia's claim for u
heavy indemnity from the United
states for the alleged rape of PAN
ANA"
All Confirmation Necessary.
You have had all tho confirmation
that could be had without admission
from tho President OF the United
States the President OF Colombia and
the German Emperor" was his COM
mont On tho revelations. which bo,h
the German and Colombian govern
ments have seen 1T TO dignity with
official den'als.
This officer. who is one of the most
level headed ne we'll es one OF the
most experienced IN the navy, pointed
out the Importance OF that govern
Incnts activities In American waters
in terms which lose nothing OF their
s'gn'ficanco when taken in connection
with the statement sent out by the AS
ISOLATED Press from Washington last
Friday night, that The prime purpose
OF Secretary KnoN's trip TO Latin
America Is said TO have been ito lay
the foundation for closer relations be-
tween the United States and Latin
America TO anticipate any possible
European aggression In commerce or
diplomacy"
Il know" he sad that the Colon
hian matter ia receiving the most
grave consideration now, and that Il
has received grave consideration on
tho part OF the United states gov
eminent for some months
Did you while IN Central America
gather Information to the effect that
Germany and Colombia have been
treating for the sale or lease OF GER
tain Colombian harbors to Germany E"
he was asked
1T is undoubtedly true" was the
reply. That any OF the leading Euro
2ean nations would be glad 10 gain
foothold on the coast lines OF the
Western Hemisphere IL they thought
a position In which she would be un-
able to uphold the Monroe Doctrine
There are certainly several ports in
Colombian territory which would be
particularly valuable TO Germany"
Does IT not seem pointed that
Secretary Knox has gone to South
and Central America just at this time ?"
was another question. He replied:
Il will say that the State Depart
1nent IS not liable to admit the exact
mission on which he has gone, and
again I will venture the assertion that
the President Of the United States is
the only man who would feel at liberty
TO explain the exact nature OF that mis-
sion, and he would scarcely give an
explanation. imagine"
ospina Not ResponsibIe.
Making a: this point the statement
already quoted as to the grave con-
alteration which our government had
for several months been given to the
Colombian matter. he added:
Tho Ospina incident really had no
effect upon Mr.. Knoxs trip South, for.
A q matter OF fact. that incident was
occasioned by the announcement that
our Secretary of State was on the point
OF making the trip.
THE principal effect OF the Ospina
Incident. it seems to me. was TO intro
duce the actual feeling between the
United States and Colombia to the
public. Before that time it was gen
orally known that Colombia was SIX +.
ing indemnity. but II WAS not known
that she was demanding it, II was nor
even known generally before the Os
pima incident that Colombia had pro
posed that the matter be taken TO The
Hague for settlement"
DO you think tipt tn. United states
Is linble TO allow the proposition TO go
TO Tho Haguc?"
"The government will not low any
4 thing OF that sort 10 Ep 20 The Hague
unless the United states is in posi
tion TO show that lis action I'm con
nccton with tho Panama rebellion was
absolutely open and above board Just
what our government can 10 in this
respect is more than / can say now
From this question :hc conversation
returned to Germanys negotiations
with Colombia.
IT cannot tell you what learned
while ] was in Central America" he
said. 1T would be wrong for me to
Germany has negotiated with Colombia
for harbors. But will say this. Ger
many has been active in all parts of
tho world. ana to-day is one of the most
progressive nations. She has been
progressive for score OF years, and
If you are student YOU will see that
she has reason to seek new territory in
the Western Hemisphere"
Comparative Navhl Power
When the subject OF compa rative
power of the German and United
States navics was brought M, this
naval officer advanced an entirely new
thought on comparison. lie said IF
is an interesting study. this naval
history. Some of tho smaller nationa