The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-18

a new phase of the attitude of tha Ad.
miaistrat ton IN the isthmian canal ques-
tien was developed during the executive
session OF the Senate today Several
senators have raised an objection TO the
adoption of the waterway measure unless
a treaty is concluded with Colombia,
placing that Government en an equal
footing with Nicaragua ard Costa Rica,
with whom the United States has entered
into negotiations regarding a proposed
inter-oceanic canal.
An Investigation. it is said, brought to
light the fact that long before the report
Of the Walker Commission vas made pub
lie, The State Department had secured an
agreement with Nicaragua by means Of
Hhich the United States obtained the sole
right to construct a canal through the Re
public That the Panama route was never
given any consideration is shown by the
developments, that, While negotiations were
completed with Nicaragua and opened with
Costa Riea, Colombia, was absolutely ig-
nored, even though an unbiased Commis-
sion might have reported in favor OF the
Panama route.
It is said to be further shown that the
Walker Commission was instructed be
forehand by the President to report abso-
lutely in favor of the Nicaraguan route.
since terms had been completed with that
Government and the canal promised be
fore a survey of both routes was made.
The idea had been. according to promi-
nent Senator, to have the original Hay
Pauncefote Treaty adopted and to have
the United States and Great Britain as
sumo joint charge of the waterway, thus
shutting out France and the Panama
scheme.
When the Senate went into executive
session today, Senator offered a reso-
luton directing the President to forward
10 the Senate all papers and information
in his possession regarding any past or
proposed treaties between this Govern
ment and the Government of Colombia.
He asked for its immediate consideration,
and when this was opposed by Mr.. Lodge,
he declared that he had discovered that
Colombia was purposely ignored by the
State Department and that. in order to
secure good thing for Great Britain,
diplomatic relations with Colombia had
been purposeiy cut OF He deman nded that
right should be done and said he saw
nothing American in ilItreating a little
sister Republic so that we might toady
to a big kingdom.
lie then made a statement of-1ust what
he believed, asking why, if negotiations
had been entered into with Costa Rica
and sSicaragua, none had been entered
into with Colombia? Z? He had been assured,
he said, that there never had been any
treaty secured with Colombia regarding
the canal, but be wanted his resolution
adopted Just to show he was right
He then argued that, while the report
OF the Walker Commission plainly stated
that the Panama Canal could be com
pIeted before the Nicaragua Canal could
be begun. the State Department had care
fully protected the rights of the United
States with regard TO Costa Rfca and Nj
caragua, but had done nothing as far as
Colombia was concerned
He then announced that he had been in
formed that a plan was on foot whereby
certain European Governments were to
take the Panama Canal and complete it
before the United states had fairly started
work on the Nicaragua waterway He
stated that there seemed to be scheme
On foot, aided and abetted by the State
Department, to defeat the purposes aimed
at By the supporters of the aII-American
canal. The very fact that American rights
are not in the least protected, he said,
showed plainly that there Nas an African
in the woodpIle and he Intended to dis
lodge the colored man.
He read a despatch from Panama in
which Sencr Martinez Silva, the Colon
bian Minister of Foreign Affairs. stated
that the Colombian Government was has
tsning the opening OF the Panama Canal
and that the action OF the United States
in ignoring his Government would prove
to be boomerang. The message stated
that the canal could De completed by 1906
and would be open to all nations
Mr. Hay, the Senator said, was not will
ing TO enter into negotiations with Ceiom-
bia, for reasons of his Own. but all Ameri-
cans wanted the truth in the case
Mr. Lodge made brief reply, in which
he stated that the treaty between the
United States and Colombia, made in 1916,
was still il force but could be abrogated
by either Government in twelve hours.
This treaty, he said, gives the United
States no right to transport troops, NUM-
tions ef war or malls through the canal 70
be constructed over the Panama route and
the Panama Canal Gompaay is vested with
the right TO enforce the treaty.
After some discussion the resolution
calling fer the papers and information con-
eeFBing Colombia was adopted
FOR An AMERICAN CANAL.