The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-02-20
PRESIDENT TAFT
CONSIDERS CASE
TAKES COLOMBIAN INCIDENT OUT
OF THE HANDS OF STATE
DEPARTMENT.
STATEMENT EN- BY b 0SPfNN:At
MINISTER DIsAvows ANY orrENsE
TO GovERNMEST-KNox
IN FLORIDA. KNOWS
NOTHING.
.sxET =.
STATEMENT T EN- EN- B BY 0SP4fN,lta IA
-s.s1ssxTs'

WASHINGTON. Feb. 19.--As the
first disciplinary measure OF the Unit
ed States towards Colombia for the
letter written to the State Depart
ment by its minister. General Pedro
Mel Ospina, President Taft has d.
rected Secretary 81 State Knox to
strike Colombia from the itinerary
Of his trip through Central Amer
lea.
The next most important develop
ment in the situation today was the
announcement that the incident OF
the letter has been taken out Of the
jurisdiction Of the State Department
and is now in the hands Of the Pres
ident Tor final action.
These two steps are regarded as
part OF definite program to be pur-
sued by this government in requiring
Colombia to discipline General Os-
pima for his action in writing q let
ter so generally considered offensive.
Minister Disavows OfTcnse.
II Colombia sustains her minister,
President Taft Will have no other
course open than to make q direct
request for Ospina's withdrawal.
Should he not be withdrawn. the
ports.
The Colombian minister. tonight
made a statement, In which he dis
avows any offense to this government.
and II Is understood that q copy Of
Ii has been sent to Secretary Knox
at Palm Beach. The State Depart
ment today declined to make any
comment on OspinA's discriminating
that Secretary Knox would give out
a statement. What effect Ospina's
disavowal. which does not retract
anything. Will have on Secretary
Knox Is not known In Washington.
Puts II On Roosevelt.
1t was learned today that the Co
general request for arbitration in tho
matter OF the ownership OF the pro-
vince of Panama. but that on behalf
Of his government he asked that the
question be submitted to The Hague
tribunal.
In commenting on Minister Os-
rissa.s letter today President Tat, n
is said. gave as his reason for re-
fusing to arbitrate the questions
raised by Colombia the fact that Pres
ident Roosevelt. during whose ad-
ministration the revolution In Pan
anna occurred, had previously refused
have placed entire responsibility for
the present state OF affairs upon for
mer President Roosevelt.
sI<uOx KnpWs Notliax. ssssgt,s's n
PALM BEACH, FLA. Feb. H.
That the Ospina incident will not
deter the Secretary of State from
visiting Colombia was indicated by
an interview with Mr.. Knox tonight,
though the secretary declared in pos
tive terms that he would give out
no statement. Mr.. Knox said all
questions concerning the incident had
better be asked In Washington and
would have to be answered there II
at all.
Won't you make a comment" q
reporter asked.
mo: certainly not. / know moth
ing about It except what ! have heard
unofficially. How can IT,
Asked X the affair would make
any difference in his trip rs sched-
ulcd, Mr.. Knox said that 1t would
not. Present plans are for him to
leave Palm Beach Thursday morning
by the cruiser Washington. ". r.
8. Doyle and Leslie Co0mbs. OF the
Bureau Of Latin American Republics.
Joined the secretary's party ycster-
day,