New-York tribune., 1912-02-24
COLOMBIA SENDS KNOX
CORDIAL INVITATION
Repudiates 0Spina'S Note and
Asks Secretary to Visit
Cartagena.
HE WILL PROBABLY ACCEPT
State Department Gratified by
Happy Close of DisagreeaOle
Incident - Knox Party
Sails from Key West.

Washington. Feb 23.-Colombia to-
dav virtually repudiated the action OF us
minister. General Ospina, by senulhe
,brorgh Minister Dubois at Bogo'a
cordial invitation TO Secretary Knox 10
visit TINT country on his trip to the re-
pnblics on the Caribbean Sea- Inc IN
vltaiion was promptly sent to MT hnoN
who is aboard the cruiser washington"
on his way South The decision whether
he will change his itinerary to INCLUDE
csll at the port of Cartagena rests Win
him. It is believed here that no VIII
do so.
The action of the Colombian Foreign
once was received here with satisfac-
t,on. 1t closes disagreeable incident.
General Ospina, who is said 10 have
been recalled because of his letter 70
the State Department. protested against
the proposed visit Of Mr.. Knox because
os the feeling In Colombia against the
United States attributed to the acquisi-
ton by this country of the Panama
Canal Zone.
Acting Secretary Huntington Wilson
expressed his appreciation Of Colombia 5
SECESSION 10 welcome his chief.
The messages" he said tonight,
THAT have been received from the Vari-
pus representatives of the countries OF
the Caribbean region are characterized
by uniform warmth Of tone of appre-
,siative welcome. All see in the pro-
posed visit an evidence of friendship and
the opportunity for better acquaintance
and the establishment OF more intimate
relations with the United States. Thsy
regard the visit as a significant and
friendly demonstration and as dis
tinction and courtesy OF which they are
proud and by which they express them
selves as honored. Assurances are
given by all that every effort will be
made to make the visit Of Mr. Knox a
happy one"
Not Informed Of ospina's Recall.
Although press dispatches from Bogota
announced that General Ospins had
been recalled, no official notification Of
this action has reached Washington.
The State Department processes igno-
rance Of the matter and the Colomb bian
Legation continues TO protest that no
word has been received there
Key West, Fla, Feb 23.-Secretary Knox
sailed this afternoon on board the cruiser
Washington on a mission that will take
him, according to present arrangements.
10 the Panama Canal Zone the capitals Of
Central America, TO Caracas, Venezuela,
possibly TO Cartagena, Colombia, and 10
various points in the West Indies,
Tho Washington reached Key West at 6
o'clock this morning, and Mr.. Knox and the
members of his party arrived from Palm
Beach by train at 2:3O p. m. They were met
at the railroad station by the executive OIL
Ger of the Washington, Lieutenant Com
mander Sticht, and conveyed TO the cruiser
in a ;auncn. When the Secretary came on
board he received the unusual honor of a
salute OF nineteen guns. He was received
on the quarterback by Captain Richard NJ.
hughes.
The officers Of the cruiser, the marine
detachment and the band paraded. After
these ceremonies Mr.. KnoX's party was
escorted below and the voyage began
MIR. Knox to Speak at Panama.
The first stopping place Of Secretary
Knox will be Colon, from which he will
proceed to Panama. In that city he will
deliver what may be regarded as the key
note" speech of the trip. setting forth what
was in the minds of the administration
officials when the itinerary was planned.
The programme OF visits has been rear
ranged from time TO time, and is still tenta-
tive. II mad been expected that Mr.. Knox
would go first TO Jamaica, but it was finally
decided that he should visit the Canal Zone
frst.
Mr. Knox will make the trip under con-
ditions befitting his dignity. The Washing
ton has been made spick and span. She
carries nearly one thousand men, the larg-
est crew Of any American warship The
quarters on the flagship, temporarily va
Gated by Admiral E1ske, with the adjoining
suite Of the captain. have been specially
fitted up with furniture designed for such
occasions.
The whole afterpart Of the gun deck has
been set aside for the use of Mr.. Knox S
party Here there will be frequent recep-
tions to government officials on whom the
Secretary calls to pay his respects.
II will not be an easy trip for officers
and crew. They will be on almost constant
dress parade as official visitors come and
60. The men, however, have entered into
the spirit Of the cruise, and Will make a
showing in the ports visited that will re-
feet credit on the navy and the nation.
For days IL has been almost impossible 10
avoid becoming smeared with fresh paint
and shellac, so tidy has the ship been made.
The tailors and laundrymen have been put
TO tests OF endurance. and the bandmaster
has worked overtime instructing new re-
rr,,fte Nv, fha national aira of the countries
70 be visited. A string orchestra has been
organized to furnish music for dancing.
The ships .mascots, two goats, Tom and
Jerry. appeared to-day I'm new trappings.
Secretary Knox is accompanied by his
wife, Mr.. and Mrs. Hugh S. Knox and Mr..
and Mrs. p. c. Knox, jr
cINnAM,e MEM NnnE rRIpIINE