Treaties being celebrated in Bogota it is not a matter of importance; they can be celebrated in Washington next Autumn; but it is convenient that the Colombian Delegates in Brazil should have instructions from their Government to deny the malicious charges that it is known will be made against the American Government in relation to the Panama question, and the patronizing of a new revolution in Colombia.

[Telegram.]

Mr. Barrett to the Secretary of State.

BOGOTA, June 12, 1906.

Minister of Colombia at Washington has telegraphed to the President of Colombia as follows:

In order to remove wrong impression, am glad to inform you that a group in Congress has begun action favorable to arbitration, which does not antagonize the President of the United States and has not to do with politics. Will advise you of the result. A new course it will be fatal.

Such information in view of your note of February 101 to the minister of Colombia and recent telegrams is a great surprise for the President, but he fears minister of Colombia makes such report to stop his recall, which the President has ordered. He requests that I ascertain and let him know at once is there any foundation for the statement of minister of Colombia.

BARRETT.

Minister Barrett to Secretary Root.

AMERICAN LEGATION,

Bogota, June 13, 1906.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY: In view of the probability of Mr. Root's departure from Washington, I beg to inclose a copy of a personal note which I mailed to him at New York, care of the United States dispatch agent, in the hope of catching him before he sailed. The inclosures referred to accompany my No. 103 of this date (excepting the one about Buenos Aires). I hope that you will find time to read not only this inclosed private note to Mr. Root but the official dispatch mentioned. You may also think it best to submit them to the President, in view of the importance of the proposed negotiations of Colombia with the United States and Panama for new treaties. Great interest is being manifested here, caused by rumors that naturally get started, and if the negotiations are successfully consummated next fall a splendid new era will be inaugurated in the relations of the United States, not only with Colombia, but, by natural effect, with all Latin America.

Yours, very respectfully,

1 Printed in S. Doc. 542, 60th Cong., 2d sess.

JOHN BARRETT.

AMERICAN LEGATION,
Bogota, June 13, 1906.

DEAR MR. SECRETARY: As this mail will probably reach New York just as you are sailing for Rio Janerio, and, as I assume, you are desirous of knowing the latest developments in the proposed new negotiations between Colombia and the United States, I beg to inclose a copy of my last dispatch to the department, forwarded in the pouch by this same mail. I inclose also a few notes on Buenos Aires, which you may be interested in reading when you have spare moments on shipboard.

It would gratify you to see with your own eyes the tangible interest which Colombians of all classes are manifesting in the eventual restoration of a complete entente cordiale with the United States. The only embarrassing part of it is that they give me altogether more credit than I deserve and wish to show me honors and attentions that I want to avoid. Although I have invariably been treated with a courtesy that has gradually grown more marked as the people have endeavored to reciprocate my attitude and policy of friendliness, I was not prepared for the effusive feeling that now is expressed on all sides.

Although I have said nothing publicly myself, President Reyes has begun a careful propaganda in the press to prepare the people for new negotiations and to develop a friendly sentiment to the United States, as well as the realization of the impossibility of arbitration and indemnity, so treasured in the mind of the average Colombian. He knows that he has a hard task because there still remains a strong undercurrent of resentment among certain classes of people, but from their attitude toward me I am convinced that the higher classes intend to support him. I consider the unsought assurance of aid in my labors which have been given me by the powerful Archbishop Bernardo, of Bogota, and the papal nuncio, Monsenor Ragonesi, as having far-reaching significance. I say "unsought," for, while I have not asked or suggested their cooperation, I have, on the other hand, recognized their mighty influence and cultivated, since my arrival here, a strong confidential friendship with them which is now bearing fruit.

When we remember four things, Mr. Secretary, it would seem as if we ought to treat Colombia as liberally as possible:

1. It will take generations, otherwise, to remove a deep-seated feeling against the United States throughout the length and breadth of the land which can now be almost immediately and effectually uprooted by giving Colombia special concessions of shipping and trade in the canal and Canal Zone.

2. Colombia is undoubtedly the richest country in latent possibilities and, in proportion to area, of all Latin America, and, unless the United States negotiates a favorable treaty, the benefit of the future development and commerce is sure to go largely to European countries, which are already plainly preparing to make the most of their opportunities.

3. We must always take into consideration the possibilities of war with some powerful European or Asiatic country, in which case it would be of transcendental importance to prevent such splendid

harbors as Cartagena, on the Caribbean, and Buenaventura, on the Pacific, together with the respective strategic and supply-producing coast lines of Colombia, being used by or favorable to our enemies.

4. Despite the fact that Colombia is to blame for not ratifying the Hay-Herran treaty, a large part of Colombia, particularly the rich provinces of Cauca on the Atlantic, Bolivar on the Pacific, and Antioquia between, were actually and strongly in its favor but were overruled by the interior and mountain Provinces. Against their own will the populations of these sections were made to accept injurious conditions to them. If the United States now restores in a measure by concessions of trade, shipping, and transit what they have lost, it will win their everlasting gratitude and devotion which, in turn, means everything for our commerce in peace and their assistance in war.

The President has spoken to me several times about your stopping at Cartagena part of a day at least, en route from Panama to New York, and has asked my opinion about the wisdom of inviting you. It is probable that I will soon telegraph you on this subject. It will have an excellent effect on Colombia if you accept.

As nothing more will be done toward actual negotiations until November or after your return, and as President Reyes has practically decided to make an extended visit to the interior States about August 1, it is probable that I may ask for leave of absence to come home in August, returning in November, or remaining in Washington to assist you in the negotiations, as you may think best.

I would not take up your time with such a long letter were it not for the importance of these proposed negotiations and the serious handicap of distance and time in communication.

Very respectfully, yours,

Hon. ELIHU Roor, Etc., New York.

No. 103.]

Minister Barrett to Secretary Root.

JOHN BARRETT.

AMERICAN LEGATION, Bogota, June 13, 1906. SIR: I have the honor to report still further important developments in the matter of the proposed negotiation of new treaties of peace, friendship, and commerce between Colombia on the one hand and the United States and Panama, respectively, on the other.

I. President Reyes is taking so much interest in the subject that he frequently confers both with me and his cabinet ministers and other prominent Colombians with reference to awakening a sentiment in Colombia favorable to negotiations and to the surrender of the hope of arbitration and indemnity, so dear to the average Colombian which he now realizes the United States can not allow for good and sufficient reasons, carefully stated in your note of February 10, 1906, to Minister Mendoza and confirmed in my various discussions with him. In view of the necessity of preparing the people for what is to come, President Reyes has commenced writing some memoranda

1 Printed in S. Doc. No. 542.

for the use of editors and political essayists. He has just handed me a translated copy of the first of these, and I inclose a verbatim reproduction of it as delivered. I beg to recommend that you read it carefully, as it will give you a good idea of some of the thoughts in his mind.

II. A most significant development is the newly announced fact, not generally appreciated heretofore, that the large, prosperous, and powerful Provinces of Cauca on the Pacific, Bolivar on the Atlantic, and Antioquia between them were unanimously favorable to a ratification of the Hay-Herran treaty, and their influences should have prevailed, but, in the political excitement of the moment, the sway of Bogota and the mountain Provinces far from the sea carried the day. Now these coast States are coming forward and demanding that all Colombia agree to the negotiation of treaties with Panama and the United States which will help to build up their languishing commerce. As evidence of this feeling, I respectfully call your particular attention to the inclosed translation of an interview which appeared yesterday, June 12, 1906, in the Correo Nacional, of Bogota, the principal Government organ of Colombia, with Dr. Ignacio Palau, one of the ablest men in the Republic and editor of the Correo del Cauca, the chief newspaper of the powerful State of Cauca. His closing words, containing almost a distinct threat, have created a sensation here and are being discussed on every street corner. My opinion, however, is that Bogota realizes the claims of the coast and will not stand out against treaties that are reasonable in their provisions.

III. President Reyes has fully determined to send a new minister to Washington to replace Dr. Mendoza Perez. He has already cabled the latter to return to Bogota, but the minister seems indisposed to leave. He has telegraphed President Reyes a statement about probable arbitration, which the President can not believe to be true, in view of your note of February 10, 1906, to Dr. Mendoza, and as you have said nothing of any such movement in the recent telegrams exchanged. At his request I cabled you yesterday about this matter and my message is confirmed in an unnumbered dispatch of this same date. A reply will probably come to-day, after the mail is closed, or to-morrow. The President has several times told me that he has never approved of the arguments advanced and methods employed by Dr. Mendoza at Washington, but, as the minister has had confidence in the ultimate success of his own procedure, the President has allowed him to remain until now. It is probable that either Mr. Enrique Cortes, who came to Washington as a special representative of President Reyes in June, 1905, and was introduced by me to President Roosevelt, or some other eminent Colombian who speaks English, will succeed him, and be ready to negotiate with you in November.

IV. Desiring, in the light of progress made toward an entente cordiale with the United States, to have Colombia creditably represented at the Pan-American Conference and to be sure of this delegation working in accord with that of the United States, the President has appointed Jorge Holguin, a distinguished Colombian statesman and polished gentleman now in Paris, as chairman of the Colombian delegation, and instructed him to proceed to New York and meet Dr. Valencia, coming via Panama, for conference with you.

Mr. Holguin is one of the richest and most influential men of the Republic, and has resided some time in Europe as President Reyes's chief financial agent. It is possible that he may not be able to accept, or, if he does accept, to go via New York, because of the short notice of his appointment and necessary preparations; but it is to be hoped that his decision will be favorable.

V. It is gratifying to note the interest that is being manifested, through assurances of aid and cooperation, to me of powerful influences which can assist greatly in promoting friendly relations between the United States and Colombia and in preparing the people to accept new treaties with Panama and the United States. Among others, I refer particularly to the church and clergy, which, I am told, worked against the Hay-Herran treaty. Both the Archbishop of Bogota and the papal nuncio have emphatically expressed to me their desire to help me in any way possible-and their say is even more mighty with the people at large than that of President Reyes. Although I have not sought such cooperation, I have, since my first arrival here, made it a point to maintain excellent relations with the church dignitaries and show them the good intentions of the United States. Political leaders of different parties who fought the Hay-Herran treaty and who for a long time would not come near the United States legation, now call frequently upon me and admit their desire to see a confirmation in a new treaty of the growing new entente cordiale between the United States and Colombia.

VI. While, therefore, the outlook for the eventual success of negotiations is good, it must be remembered that the still remaining underlying resentment among certain classes of people against the United States and the machinations of diverse political interests may place obstacles in the way which it will require careful management and patience to remove. I have done everything possible during the past eight months to overcome such difficulties and to bring about a new state of feeling toward the United States. The first direct and preparatory official steps have now been taken for new treaties with Panama and the United States. The next will be at Washington in November. In the meantime, as little more can be done here until then, and as President Reyes expects soon to be absent from the capital on an extended trip to the coast and interior Provinces, I may ask your permission to go home on leave of absence. I have the honor to be, sir,

Your obedient servant,

JOHN BARRETT.

[Literal and verbatim copy of an impersonal memorandum handed to Minister Barrett by President Reyes, June 12, 1906.]

JUNE 10, 1906.

THE PANAMA AND UNITED STATES QUESTION.

A. It is high time to define this most important question which involves not only the commercial interests of our litoral on the coasts of the two oceans, but those of the whole interior of the Republic and especially those of the Departments of Cauca and Marino on account of their obliged transit through the Isthmus to Europe and the United States. The Departments of the Atlantic coasts also