New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-01-23
APOLOGY IS REYES'S HOPE
Colombia Wants Injured Honor
Satisfied. He Says.
FIRST BY ARBITRATION
Ready to Help United States
Defend Canal When Time
Comes, He Announces.

"Colomhja wants arbitration OF the. ran
ana ,uestion." said General Rafael Reyes
at the luncheon held in his honor by the
American states Association at the
Hotel NcAlpin Yesterday. "snd II the de-
cision goes against you we are entitled 70
an apology from the United States Tor us
.aizure os Panama We do not look TOT
an indemnity. though, II 1T was onered
we would not, ! think, refuse H. Colohi-
bia still reeents the action of the Oniteo
States and if YOU would set that resent
mont al rest. not only in Colombia but In
all South America, you must deal justly
with u.
The canal will benefit Colombia more
than any OF the neighboring states. and 1t
f. too vast an enterprise to be mahaseo
hv privste capital: il had 10 be under
taken by the government, as we fuiiE
realize. But no nation can overlook l"e
delicate susCeptibilities OF the Latin peo-
rlcs and maintain their friendship ana
colombia looks. not for financial compen-
satiop. but for such an adjustment as VIII
satisfy her injured honor. Arbitration
and POSSIBLY an apology, would be the
most satisfactory adjustment.
.you have done we'll TO fortify the
canal. for sooner or later II Will have 10
Withstand an attack from the East anu
when that time comes you will ma Co
lrmbia standing shoulder TO shoulder with
tho I-nited States in its defence. Your
,roateet conquest is not what YOU have
Gained by war. but what you nave
achieved in sanitation; for this Cuoa ana
the tropics will be forever Indebted 10
YOU"
General REYES went on TO say mat the
American people demanded an hohoiaoie
settlement with Colombia, and tnat the
only persons in America opposing sucn q
settlement were those politicians VINO hau
something 10 lose by it. Il am ABOUT 20
make an extended trip over all Ldtih-
America" ne said. and this Will be my
word to all: Work to preserve the ideaIs
or your race. tust as your AngIO-SaNoh
brothers of the north have worked on
their continent I shall assure them that
in this they will have your sympathy ana
. your moral support. so that the peoples OF
D. 10th races will be stimulated the better ~
sarve the interests Of civilization when
are the interests OF JustICe anu $50
William c. Fox. former United states
Minister TO Ecuador. said that the conpie-
ton of the canal created problems Gaining
for craftsmanship of the highest older.
elm the first place" he said, I'VE VIII not
forget our sacred obligations under the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and the con-
science of the American people has a"ak-
ered 10 the fact that il behooves US 10
deal Justly by our sister republic OF Co
lombia. When the American people aWak-
en- 10 the Justice of a cause the American
paople nav be depended on TO espouse
that cause
Diaz Guerra paid high tribute to the
disinterestedness of General Reyes, saying
that he had been his worst enemy in the
mast. but that experience had proved TO
him the complete nobility Of the general
motives and his devotion 10 the best inter
ests of mis- country; whereat all rose, sa-
nted the general and drank toast in his
honor
Among those present were Henry Biz
rel. treasurer Of the association; Robert
Ice Dunn. Joseph Nathan. Phanoy Elder.
Victor Reyes, son and private secretary
Of the general: Rafael Castillo, Rhine
lander Waldo. William f. Edwards, Ben
jamin J. Greenhut Seymour j. Hyde
Isaac l.. Rice and many others.
General Reyes is at present on tour OF
the two continents. his object being TO
promote good relations between North
and South America.