The Portland daily press., 1881-10-28
THE CANAL.
A Talk with the Colombian Minister to
France.

| A Talk with the Colombian Minister to
France.
| NEW YORK, Oct. 27.-Gen. Santo Domingo
| Villa, of the Republic of Colombia, who signed,
| in behalf of his Government. the protocol be-
| tween it and the United States, was seen by a
| Tribune reporter at the Westminster Hotel
| yesterday. The General has recently been ap-
| pointed minister from Colombia to France, and
| is on his way to the latter country. In speak
| ing of the Panama canal complication, he said
81 have read carefully the despatch of Sec
| rotary Blaine to Minister Lowell, and if my
interpretation of it is correct perfectly agree
with it, and think my Government will. 1t
has been suggested that Mr.. Blame means to
imply that the United States will not suffer an
agreement between the European powers in
regard to the neutrality of the canal, but
take it that the Secretary of State means
that the United States Government will not
look with favor on any such agreement TO
which it is not party"
"What is the sentiment of your Government
in regard to the natter"
"The Colombian Government recognizes the
vital interest which the United States have in
any highway which may be constructed across
the Isthmus; how much more the States are
interested than any European power can be.
The sentiment of the Government and of the
people is strongly in favor of this country, and
we desire that the dominant influence in the
affairs of the canal may be that of the United
States. Our form of government and CONNER
cial relations incline us to this country. Still,
other nations are to be considered in the mat
ter"
"Does not the Government of Colombia fear
that the European powers may make their
guaranty of the neutrality of the canal, If they
should make one, pretext for having foot
hold on the isthmus, and thus endanger the
liberties of Colombia, or at least take from it
entirely the control of that part of the coun-
try?"
we permit it, The government of Colombia
could say: This is our land; this is our terrific
ry; we will let whoever we please, and What
ever nation we see fl build canal across the
Isthmus of Panama, and will give no guaran-
ty of any kind to any government But we
recognize the fact that though we are an indie
pendent nation, and have right to regulate
our affairs as best suits ourselves yet there is
q duty which we owe to other nations of con-
| suting their wishes in affairs in which they
are interested. And all the world is deeply
| interested in the Panama Canal
els policy of the Colombian government
in accordance with the Monroe Doetrine?"
Eyes, When signed the protocol with this
nation my government declared itself as being
in accord with the Monroe Doctrine and in
favor of its application to the affairs of the
Isthmus. We would with that the stock in the
canal was largely held in the United States,
and that the work was being prosecuted under
the patronage of this country rather than that
of any European power"
"Do you think that De Lesseps is pushing
his work with all possible rapidity?'
eyes, he is doing all he can and getting
ahean."
us he not making great efforts to get stock
subscribed and tc that end does he not take
measures calculated to mislead9''
"Well, yes, DeLesseps does want money and
makes every effort to get it. But think he is
sincere and makes the best possible use of it
after he gets it. He makes every cent count
in pushing forward the canal. Secretary
Thompson's name was of great value and no
doubt procured the subscription of much
stock. DeLesseps would have been glad to
carry ON the work of digging the Panama
canal under the patronage of the United States.
f failing in this, he did what he could to pro-
cure the semblance of patronage from this
country. 1 have no doubt that he is sincere
and that the money of the stockholders will be
expended most judiciously"
"Why did the Colombian government want
to annul the protocoll"H
s'The protocol was, of course, only mem
orandum, an outline, on which treaty was to
be based. The government desired that it
be abrogated and formal treaty substituted
in which all existing phases OF the cases could
be attended to. We do not desire in any way
to take away from the United States any right
to protect her interests on the Isthmus. As /
was leaving Bogota the new minister from the
United States was arriving and I do not know
what changes may have been made in the
plans and policy Of the Colombian govern
| ment since. My dispatches await me in Paris,
| where should have been by this time had
| not been delayed on the coast / trust that
| the whole matter of the Panama canal will be
| settled in such manner that the Unite
| States will have no cause to complain"