The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-02-20
UNLESS INVITED KNOX WILL NOT
 VISIT COLOMBIA
Acting Secretary Wilson Refuses to Discuss the
 Incident
OSPINA INTENDED
 NO INSULT TO KNOX
However, Action of Senor Ospina Is Regarded as Breach of Etiquette by the State Department.
 Publishes Correspondence


 Washington, February 1s.-Secretary Knox will not visit Colombia during his proposed tour of the countries bordering on the Caribbean sea unless there is a special invitation from the Colombian government.
 This announcement was made by Acting Secretary Huntington Wilson tonight, who also declared that he thought such an invitation unlikely.
 "There must be some confusion in the interpretation of the report from Palm Beach, he said, that Secretary Knox, by carrying out the original itinerary laid out for him, would include Colombia. Unless there is 6 special invitation from Colombia MT. Knox will not go there. 1 may say that we hardly expect it.
 Mr. Wilson would not say whether hls prediction that no invitation would be forthcoming was based on Senor Pedro Nel Ospina,s personal letter to him, made public yesterday, or whether it was d consequence of the strained relations eX- isting for the last eight years between the two governments over the acquisition of the Panama canal zone.
 No Concern Felt
 He intimated. however, that the state department felt no especial concern over the action of the Colompian minister here and was not wrought up oyer the incl dent.
 Our position" he remarked, 'is one of self contained uneoncern.'
 An interview between Archbishop Ire land of St Paul, Minn., and President Taft at the White House tonight, led to a report that high church officials in this country, who sympathize with the eff forts of the Colombian government to obtain arbitration, were seeking to smooth out difficulties between the two, coun- tries.
 When he left the White House Arch bishop Ireland declined to discuss the pur- nose of his visit nor would he say nuW long he had talked with the President.
 .J talked with the President" he said. aeafd we got through. That's all 1 can say
 Church May Take Hand
 The report that church influence might be at work to settle the present differ ences was based largely on the fact that senor Ospina, the Colombian minister. brought letters to both Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop Ireland from pr. Rag onesi, the papal legate at Bogota, Co., lombia. which is the only country in this hemisphere where the church and state are unified Senor Ospina IS known 10 have been in communication with Arch bishop Ireland during his visit here but would not divulge the nature of his con- ferences.
 Another report current tonight was that Secretary Knox had intended when stop ping at Cartagena, Colombia, to suggest that a commission be appointed compose of A representative of Colombia and S0e from the United States to adjust all dil- ferences and m the event of disagree 1nent the President of a South American republic was to decide.
 This proposition is known to be uhWei- come to the Colombian government which insists upon different tribunal, preferably the Hague
 ! This report, however, was not con- frmed at the state department. Intended No Insult senor Pedro Mel Ospina, the Colombian 1 minister, tonight disclaimed in pubic statement any intention of insulting either the United States government or Secretary knox by his personal notification to the state department that visit to his coun- try by the Secretary would be ''inoppor- tune"
 The minister declares his letter was in polite and considerate language. and was written to avoid any possible unpleasant ness to Secretary Knox by visit to Co., | lombia" Senor Ospna reiterated he thought the trip in inopportune because the citizens of Colombia are naturally deeply aggrieved to find their country the only one in the whole world with which the United States refuses to enter into a treaty of arbitration.
 State Department Silent
 The action of Senor Ospina was not | commented upon at the state department. There were indications, however, that Cspina's act was regarded as breach of etiquette not so much because of the nature of his response to a state depart ment communication. but because ne had made public correspondence without se- curing the consent of the other party. Officials yersed in diplomatic etiquette in- cline to the opinion that the letter itself contained no insulting language.
 The action of Senor Ospina found many eympathizers today. not only among members of the Latin-American diplo- matic corps, some of whom professed to See political elevation. even to the pres idency, for Senor Ospina, in Colombia, but some members of Congress as well applauded the move. Representative sulzer, chairman of the House committee on foreign affairs, issued statement sid ing with the Colombia minister in his de- mand for arbitration.
 Sulzer's Statement
 .sThe testimony thus far adduced before the committee said Representative Suf- ger, commenting on the progress of the Rainey investigation, shows conclusive ly that the taking of Panama was the result of a conspiracy carefully planned. and carefully executed. II cannot be Justified in morals or law. The govern ment of the United States must make Ieuaration for the outrage to the republic of Colombia. Unless this is done we can- not expect the friendship or the trade of our sister republics in Central America and South America. The committee on foreign affairs will proceed diligently with the investigation.'
 Mr. Sulzer's remarks are in conflict with what Is said to be the attitude of the state department toward Colombia $ demand for arbitration of the dispute growing out of the partition of Panama, it being held by this government that ary differences in connection with the affair were wholly between Panama and Co., lombia and that the United States. as a third party has nothing to arbitrate.
 Senor Ospina's communication to the etate department-his personal view-it was said by some diplomats. would be oon firYyaed hy the Colombian government