Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1902-07-18

revolutionary army might seek to
damage the canal. In a case of this
kind the right of the United States to
protect the canal is ample enough to
make a demonstration against the Co
lombians perfectly legitimate.
Under the isthman canal law the
president was authorized to negotiate
a treaty with Colombia which would
give the United States perpetual con-
troll over a strip of territory extending
three miles on each side of the canal.
When the Colombian government first
considered the question of this conces-
sion a limitation OF 100 years was
fixed. lis limitation was not agree
able to the American authorities, and
it is understood that Colombia has ac-
cepted the wording of the law and will
make the transfer of the siX-mile strip
a matter of perpetuity. The neutrality
OF this American zone is to be main
tanned by the United States. The SAN
itary and police regulations of this
neutral territory are to be established
and enforced by joint American and
Colombian commission.
Colombia desires the United States
to pledge itself to considerable expense
outside of the construction of the
canal. For instance, this country is to
construct and maintain at each ter
minus of the canal a port for vessels,
with lighthouses and ether aids to nav
igation. breakwaters, dikes, jetties,
coaling stations, docks, and other ap-
propriate works. all the expense there
of being borne by the United States.
In addition to this the United States
is to maintain drainage and sanitary
works and construct hospitals along
the canal, while aqueduct and drain
age works are to be erected in Panama
and Colon. The cost Of providing this
water supply. however, is not to fal!
upon the United States without com
pensation, inasmuch as water rents are
allowed to be collected by the United
States, provided they meet the APP
prevail of Colombia
The jealousy with which the United
States views the possibility of foreign
interference has been indicated all
through the negotiations. 1t is prco-
able that the new treaty will contain a
very positive provision concerning the
attitude OF both the United States and
Colombia toward foreign nations. III
the treaty which was drafted last
spring this article occurs:
The republic of Colombia agrees
that it will not cede or lease to any
foreign government any of its islands
or harbors within or adjacent to the
Bay of Panama, nor on the Atlantic
coast of Colombia, between the Atrato
river and the western boundary of the
department of Panama, for the purpose
of establishing Notifications, naval or
coaling stations, military posts, docks,
or other works that might interfere
with the construction, maintenance,
operation, protection, safety, and free
use of the canal and auxiliary works
In order to enable Colombia to Gem
ply with this stipulation, the govern
ment G. the United States agrees to
give Colombia the material support
that may be required in order to pre-
vent the occupation of said islands and
ports, guaranteeing there the sover-
eighty, independence and integrity of
Colombia
This ironclad stipulation insures alb
solute freedom from foreign interfer-
ence in the American control of the
canal.
There are many other details which
will be treated with thorough care in
the treaty, including the right Of nler-
chandise to pass through the canal
without being subjected to duty; the
right of the United States to establish
and enforce regulations fer the use OF
the canal; uniform tonnage and other
rates for all nations of the world, and
the arrangement for the preservation
OF order within the canal zone.
1t is expected that the canal will be
completed within twelve years, and
| that the United States will pay to the
Colombian government a sum equiva-
| lent to an annua! rental of the six-mile
| strip ceded to this government.