The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1881-03-01
A NEW PROTOCOL
Between the United States and Colombia

NEW YORK Feb. 21.-A protocol was sign
ed in this city on Thursday evening by the
United States commissioner, w. Fl. Prescott,
| and General Downing, representing the Uni
| ted States Of Colombia, which arranges for
the enforcement Of the neutrality IF the 18TH
mus of Pana "a, according to the treaty of
| lS46. The protocol detetermines the way by
| which the United States government shall in
| terfere to guarantee the indepe ndence of Co.
Iombia ana neutrality of the canal. One of
! the conditions of such interference was that
Colombia must first ask for it, aid without
which request or demand, the United States
shall not interfere.
A Areporter called on commander Wyse last
| evening at the Brunswick hotel. After out
lining the conditions OF the protocol, lie asked
| his opinion as to the effect it would have on
| the Panama project. Wyse replied that it
| was matter Of diplomacy with which he had
| no official connection. Being pressed for In
| formation, however, he replied that the pro-
tocol was very satisfactory to the United
States, because the conditions, from what l
| haye heard, are intended to give force to the
treaty of lS46, and establish a practical way
IN which to make it more effective. If a for
eign power desires to keep the Isthmus to it.
self, Colombia can, Of course, ask protection
| from foreign Intervention.
"What effect will 1t have on the Panama
canal scheme?"
"a very good effect. Some persons in this
country have been doubtful as 70 the neutral
| ity of the canal, while we have been certain
all along that it has nothing TO do with gov
ernment influences. Now, however, think
that all persons interested will be glad that a
satisfactory conference between the two re-
publcs has been held"
''How did the conference originate
'With the United States government, l sup
| Fnln,nhi.,, mi sIn /,
at Washington III reference 10 the matter and
went away thinking it would be settled by
the next administration. Secretary Evarts,
however, teegraphed for him to 60 to Wash
lngton, where he spent another week and
again returned to New York. AS Colom-
bian minister is senator in the Colombian
congress, which meets very soon, he had to
start for Bogota to-day, and Secretary Evarts
accordingly sent special commissioner to
New ork in the person OF Commissioner
TrescOtt. l suppose the conference took
place at the residence of the Colombian min
lster."
"Have you seen text of the protocOl?"
~ have not, but believe you have repeated
to me a gist of the provisions. | can only
say that while the treaty has been in force
since 1916 the protocol is made to establish a
practical way by which the United States can
protect the rights and sovereignty of Colombia
| OIL Jue lStlIDuS, ii any lOIelSn power ndu any
intention of interfering. think 1t very sat
istactory to the United States governmen mt
too, for it is great advantage to it in a prac-
tical way, in which it can use the rights be
longing to it according to tile treaty Of 1916
As far as the Colombian government is cor
cerned, think, too, that the arrangement
. will prove to be satisfactory, for through it:
agency its sovereignty rights will not be in
jured The conference must be agreeable tc
, all parties interested in the canal Personal
ly am glad that 1t has taken place. l thinl
that by means of this protocol legitimate sat
isfacIion has been given this country.
should say on an impartial examination o
. the matter, that l cannot imagine it possible
fer anything more than that to be asked b!
the United States. The protocol provides
that Colombia shall first ask for interference
of he United States"
"Do yon think that such a demand woul'
be made?'
"Undoubtedly; if the United States coul,
interfere without the permission of the Co
. lompian government, it would be an infring
ineut of the independence of that govern
: ment. This request from Columbia for sue
Intervention is the best proof of her independ
. . ence and most satisfactory to her."
.. Commander Wyse will start for Panam
y to-day, accompanied BY his wife and child
He expects to remain there month, and vii
be engaged in facilitating preparations for az
tive work by laborers already on the ground
, He will then visit Paris, returning to Ne,
= = York in the fall.
At the Brevoort House reporter was in
formed that Commissioner Trescott had re
. turned to Washington on Thursday ever
!, ing.