Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-02-19
| OSPINA IS SORE.
Colombian Minister Criti-
CiSes Attitude of i. s.
For Not Submitting Differences
With Colombia 10 Arbitration.
Suggests That Sec.knox's Proposed
Visit Would Be "Inopporiune."

tated by the publication of letter
which Senior Pedro Mel ospina, the
COLOMBIAN minister, has written to
Acting Secretary Huntington Wilson
1of the state department. suggesting
that it might be "inopportune'' for Sec
rotary Knox to visit Colombia during
his projected tour of Central America.
After drawing attention to the fact
that the views are his own, and not
officially those of his government, the
Colombian minister seriously criticiZes
the United States for not submitting
to arbitration. the differences with
Colombia growing out of this govern
ments acquisition of the Panama.
canal zone. Inasmuch as the letter is
admittedly the personal expression of
the minister written without having
communicated with his government, it
| was received at the state department
in the nature of a personal insult to
this government.
No action has been taken and no Of
| fetal would comment on it, tonight but
the incident is known to have stirred
| officials of the United States to such
an extent that the recall of the Colom-
bian minister is expected as 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. smarting under eight
years of Intellectual efforts to obtain
arbitration of the canal zone difficult
ties would confirm the unofficial views
of her accredited representative.
A more profound sensation is looked
r. tor
limitation of diplomatic relations be-
tween this country and Colombia is in
prospect.
Acting Secretary Wilson has advised
Senior Ospina of the probable itinerary
lof Secretary Knox. What is said to
have particularly aroused the Colom-
bian minister was a reference to the
/ Republic of Panama in the itinerary,
a country whose Independence Colom-
bia never has recognized. He makes
yelled reference to the long delay by
the United States in answering several
notes addressed to this government in
seeking arbitration. and charges that
this country has Disseminated against
Colombia in failing to give to her ar
bitration which the United States is
lnow offering to other members of the
family of nations.
tentative itinerary, tonight, makes
/ provisions for stop in Colombia, on
March 25. The Colombian is disposed,
| tonight to believe that his govern
ment would indicate to the United
States that visit from Secretary
| Knox would be untimely unless the
secretary came prepared to promise
an early arbitration of differences. He
said that his letter summed up the
position of Colombia as conclusive.
After the customary diplomatic pre-
amble the ministers letter says
Speaking, therefore, in my own
name and without knowledge of the
views of my government on the mat
ter. | take the liberty of suggesting
that there is perhaps reason for be-
Ieying that such a visit of His Excel
lency. the secretary of state, may hap
pen TO be considered as inopportune
at the present time, in view OF the
fact that Colombia still finds herself
placed by the United States in an eX-
ceptional position, as the only member
of the numerous family of independent
nations scattered over the face of the
earth to which, despite it's constant
demands, the United States refuses TO
submit to arbitration questions re-
ferring exclusively to the interpreta-
ton of public treaties and the COM
pliance with obligations imposed by
the universally accepted principles OF
international law on all civilized ma
| tions in their relations one with an
other 1t is meet to mention mere, that
even the ex-President of the United
states, Mr. Roosevelt, both when ne
occupied that position and when, re-
| ia he dealt
mblic with these matters, has always
COMPATIBILITY maintained the propriety
and desirability of submitting TO the
. decision of an impartial tribunal oil
e arbitration the decision of information
n, controversies involving such ques-
tons.
> II shall appreciate it if this, my
suggestion, is taken as born OF the
desire which animates me to avolu any
occasion of aggravating the differences
which exist between the two countries
and RI see the hour arrive when they
. NAV be satisfactorily settled, to when
= NV country always has. been ana Is
c nov disposed
..Nearly three months have elapsed
since in compliance with the instructors
Q of my government, I reiterated 'Nov' -
= the demand for the arbitration OF ths
existing controversy. and see ihysei
Obliged to say with surprise ana mort
fcation, which you will doubtless WEI
| understand, that up to the present ma
| not had the honor of receiving repN
One of the several grounds OF compiann
| put forward, if my memory serves III
. well as j have not the document at mana
| by the government of the United s'a.e
| to the government of Great britaih
: 1894 when in such peremptory &c. -.
+ it demanded the submission. 10 arpi'rs.
t tion of the boundary question then pend
II ing with Venezuela, was, as you w,
: wen remember, that England had lei
y without reply for considerable lengtl
e of time an important note OF the s'a
$ department Let it be permitted TO 20
e lombia in her weakness to respectluil'
and candidly express how hard II is 10
her to see herself subjected to NIX
treatment.