Evening star., 1902-08-29
CANAL NEGOTIATIONS
Important Communication to
Colombian Minister.
OBJECTIONS RAISED
THE PERPETUAL LEASE AND
JUDICIAL TRIBUNAL CLAUSE.
Still It is Believed These Difficulties
Can Be Overcome Through a Spe-
cial Constitutional Provision.
OBJECTIONS RAISED

An important communication relating to
the Panama canal treaty has been received
by Mr.. Concha, the Colombian minister at
Washington. The officials at Bogeta have
Informed the minister that special instruc-
tions to govern the reply which Colombia
will make to the notifications in the treaty
proposed by Secretary Hay, will reach
Washington by September 10. The officials
OF the Colombian legation here have antici-
pated the government at Bogota to some ex-
tent, and have already set about the task
OF framing reply, which, to the best of
their knowledge, will embody the views of
ths home government. When the in
structions from Bogota are received
the answer which they will have already
drawn up will be made to harmonic with
the latest sentiment at Bogota, and the
reply will then be formally prepared and
presented to Secretary Hay. As already
stated, the notifications which were sug-
gested by Mr. Hay, met with general ap-
probation in Colombia, but there are
number of changes which the Colombian
government desires to make before the
treaty is signed.
Objection to Perpetual Lease.
One objection of Colombia is to the per-
petual lease indicated in the isthmian canal
act. The constitution of Colombia forbids
a lease in perpetuity, but the officials here
feel sure that this objection can easily be
clrcumvented by transferring the canal
rights under a 1O0-year lease, renewable
at the option of the United States, which
VIII operate to the same effect as a per-
petual lease.
Another point at which Colombia Is un-
derstood to raise objection is in regard
to the establishment of judicial tribunals
and the maintenance of police force to
administer justice and preserve order on
| here
Colombia would probably agree to Ameri-
can administrators of justice, she would in
sist that such administration be under
colombian authority, or in other words,
that the American officalS shall administer
Colombian law. The Colombian objections
are based upon the constitution of that
country which absolutely ferbids the re-
Hnquishment of sovereignty in any degree
over any part of the republic In this con-
nection an official well acquainted with the
situation in Colombia regarding the canal,
stituton which seems to have been over
looked and which, it is believed, may bring
about adjustment of the difficulties aris-
ing out Of the question of sovereignty.
A Special Constitutional Provision.
The provision of the constitution referred
to authorizes the Colombian congress to
enact special legislation, when such action
is regarded as necessary, to govern the
state of Panama through which the canal
is to be built: This section of the constitu-
ton was included because of the remote
ness of the state of Panama, from the seat
of government, and it's liability to unusual
conditions and situations to which the laws
for the main part of the republic might not
be adaptable. The main purpose Of the ne
gotiations which have been going on be-
tween Bosota and Washington is to con-
form the spirit of the canal act with that
of the canal treaty. Rather important diff
ferences in the letter Of these two docu-
ments have already been, pointed out, but
1t is believed here that, by virtue Of the
special legislation provision of the consti-
tuition, the difficulties encountered, can be
done away with and that a thorough and
harmonious UNDERSTANDING can be effected.