The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-04-02
COLOMBIA.

The Colombian Congress Rejects the Cushing
Canal Treaty-Satisfaction on the Isthmus-
Hopes Of Observation-Disclosures At Bogo-
ta-News from the Isthmus-Case Of Vice
Consul Elder.
PANAMA March "a, 1902
As anticipated in my previous letter tho Senate
at Bogots hasEejected the Isthmus Canal treaty by
an immense majority, having been urged to do 80
BY the Senate committee appointed to report thereon
translation Of which report enclose, by which 1t
viii be seen that the burden of their song Is that
the United States Of America does not pay enough
TO the present government Of Colombia for the priv
leges stated the treaty. The mails left Bogota on
the ID inst. ana the treaty rejected late the
LIST, that there has been little time for the
ments Of the press on the subject; but what little
has appeared is In the highest degree spprobatory
Of the course pursued by the Senate
q On the isthmus, too, the intelligence has been well
received; for unprejudced and right thinking people
see in the rejection Of the treaty the first step
towards the freeing Of the isthmus from the oppres
sion Of national rule which for years past has
bleeding IL Of every resource 1t possesses and which
would have, by recognizing this treaty, swallowed
up the last chance Of this State gaining s indie
pendence or ever advancing step In modern pro
gress
That the canal WIN be built and the work speedily
commenced Is the earnest wish OF every resident
here and that it must be done, whether the national
government wills not is their determination so
Cut on Is they are from the seat Of government by
journey OF three weeks, and with no mutual ties
to bind the State and the nation together, with
revenue except its geographical position,
which the nation monopolizes, and with no actual
income except what Is wrung from foreign COM
merce it Is strange that sthmus should seek
It's independence, and thus add to its Treasury the
900 annually paid now the nation by the rail-
a
whatever advantages may hereafter accrue from the
opening Of the canal. and thus at once place itself
not only above poverty but In circumstances OF &C.
FORE II before very long you are informed that
tua comparative wealth. DO not be surprised there
strenuous effort Is on foot TO accomplish this gSeat
end, and that the protection OF the United States
has been sought to enable the people TO sustain
themselves in their independence. Either this must
be done or some foreign Power must take forcible
possession here and do for the country what the
ing TO do. There is in my mind little doubt
that British and French influence has had a
good deal to DO with this treaty being rejected and
II my surmise Is correct II behooves the United States
TO act promptly in whatever coarse they intend TO
pursue and not allow themselves to be hoodwinked
by Bogota dipomatists The Isthmus Is ready to-
morrow to grant concession for building a canal
across this state and oelng, it Is in the fullest
sense OF the word a sovereign State it seems hard
that 1t should not have the right OF way across its
own territory as much as any other State IN the
federation, but which right is held back from 1t by
the national government, on what just grounds has
never been explained. Should Mosquera succeed in
again getting into power one OF his first acts would
France or Great Britain TO build the canal. His
prejudices run that way, and he isno lover OF any
thing that Is American. His chances OF recall are
gaining strength daily, and If he gets back the
United States will stand poor chance OF realizing
the great scheme on which the eyes OF the world
are set and which must be looked upon as the
greatest work ever undertaken in any age.
Matters are far from being settled at Bogota though
temporary peace reigns. A proposition Is likely to
be brought forward In the Senate TO impeach the
President OF the Union and If once presented Will
probably be successful. The opposition press is
IL
visng each state 10 seek its own individual inde-
pendence; and so things go on. The Treasury seems
bankrupt and the expenses OF the coming year are
the income, with no prospect OF the deficit being
met and a strong elecuoneering war Is not likely TO
reduce that denclt
In this State we are perfectly quiet at present
being kept SO by force OF 800 national and 200
state troops constantly under arms The Presi
dent left on Monday for tour through the
departments, which Will cost the state a
snug little penny, and may not result In
much good except TO certain political
clique. smallpox, regret 20 say, the increase
and nothing Is being done TO stop its ravages. No
there were upwards OF twenty interments on the
2lsL Hitherto the deaths have been averaging about
SIX daily We have no sanitary laws OF any kind IN
force here and people do Just as they please so we
cannot expect anything but spread OF the disease.
The attempt OF the government 10 sell the ice
monopoly was grand failure; not bid was made;
20 the Boston Ice Company still remain in undis-
puted possession OF their business.
You have already been informed that the United
States steamer Tuscarora, Commander Queen, had
been despatched 70 Buenaventua 70 inquire into the
outrage perpetrated on Vice Consul Elder. That
sci spent eighteen days in that port during which
Time M Eder came down from the interior and IN
formed Captain Queen that the subject had been
taken up oy tue United states Minister at Bogota,
and that he felt satisfied ample Satisfaction woud De
given BY the Colombian authorities.