The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-01-22
MANY DIFFICULTIES.
The Panama Company Is Unable to
Give a Clear Title TO Its Canal.
DEMANDS OF COLOMBIA
Will Have to Be Considered Before any
Action Is Taken By Congress.
ARE REGARDED AS EXT0RTlONAIE
Unsettled State of the Country Prevents
COnSummatlOn of Treaty.
FRIENDS OF THE NlcARAGuAN ROUTE
Are in the Majority and Not Inclined to
Be Alarmed Because Of the Com
missions Action.
ARE REGARDED AS EXTORTIONATE
Unsettled State of the Country Prevents
COnSummatOn of a Treaty.
OF THE NlcARAGuAN ROUTE
Are in the Majority and Not Inclined to
Be Alarmed Because Of the Com
missions Action.
Especial to The Post9

Washington, january 21-Dnhculties N
the way Of acceptance by the United States
OF the Frouoh Panama canal oflcr are In
creaslng. Not only are the advocates OF the
Niearngua route In the house and senate
undismayed but the Colombian government
is now proposing conditions which will be
scarcely possible fer the United states TO
accept
Admiral Walker. head of the canal COM
mission, Is now engaged In negotiating with
Minister silva, the representative Of the
Colombian government here, for the issuing
OF protocol outlining tho terms upon
which that government will allow the
United states to assume control OF the
Panama canal property II congress decides
IN favor Of the acquisition Of that route.
One conference was held yesterday and
there will be no further meetings curing
the week,
Admiral Walker insists on n lease In per-
/ pctuity Minister Silva says his country
win never consent to that, but VIII be
willing to give lease for a long term OF
! years, say two hundred, with privileges OF
renewal The minister also says that tue
| Unied statcs will have TO pay heavy
| annual rental, Some estimates FOR th's are
as high as 100000 year
| II Colombia maintains this attitude 10
Is nof believed that congress will accent
the proposition aud the Nicaragua route
witch undoubtedly now has the majority,
viii probably he adopted The Nicaragua
advocates find another encouragement In
tho fact that there is at present really no
government in Colombia TO ratlfy any
agreement that might be made between
Minister silva and the United states state
{ Ior 81 Colombia
has been In state of revolt. There are
two presidents. sauclamente and Mario
quin. The acts of each are promptly de-
uounced az Illegal 10y the other. The Co
lonlbian congress would have TO he called
In session 10 ratify the sale OF the canal.
That congress has not been IN session for
more than n yenr. and n call issued by
either president would not be needed by
the congressional partisaus Of the other.
The lighting now going on In Colombia
must cease and new congress he called
before any definite legislation looking TO
, the ratidcntion Of treaty with the United
Stntcs could be enacted. Under the best
circumstances, therefore there must he
long delays before tho Panama canal could
he purchased by the Uuitcd states. It
would be necessary for the United states
10 send special commission to Colombia
to conduct and conclude the negotiations.
, II is believed in some quarters that the
! Pannma company, 10y lowering the price a.
S its unfinished ditch has at least succeeded
n in accomplishing one Of It's objects that OF
= blocking canal legislation for an indefinite
T. period Those who hold this view thinb
y that no canal bill win I've passed at this
h session. Tho majority Of the members Of
f. congress with whom rho Post correspond
c emit has talked, however, are Of Opinion
Y that there IS still q good chance Of gctt!n'
IS bill through providing for the construc
e tion Of n canal along the Nicaragua route
e They point out that the is'hm!an commits
II sion IN It's last report recommending th
q. Panama route failed to dispose Of many o
ie the objections TO the route which the com
o. mission itself brought up and urged In IT
Z. report OF some weeks ago, which favore
ne the Nicaragua route.