The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-24
SOME PHASES OF THE ISTHMIAN
CANAL QUESTION.

CANAL QUESTION.
A Washington dispatch says that Secre-
tary Hay will at once begin negotiations
with the Colombian minister for the con-
cIusion of a protocol setting forth the ar
rangements on which Colombia will con-
cede to the United States the necessary
rights and privileges for this government
TO undertake the completion of the Panama
canal. The opening Of these negotiations
so soon after the filing of the supplemental
report of the commission recommending
the Panama route shows that the State
Department intends to be prepared for the
contingency of the possible adoption of that
route. Some doubt has been expressed
whether the Colombian government would
make the necessary concessions. Its con-
cessions to the Panama Company would
not be satisfactory to the United States
even if they can be transferred by the
Panama Company. The concession to the
Panama Company was to run for ninety
nine years from the day on which the canal
should be opened to public service, and at
the expiration of that period the property
was to revert to Colombia without any
obligation to continue or renew the con-
cession. 1t need hardly be said the United
States would not accept or complete the
Panama canal under such a condition. On
this point the supplemental report of the
commission says:
transfer Of title would give to the
United States the same right, title and IN
terest in the premises that the new Pan
anna Canal Company now has, but that
would not be sufficient. The existing con-
cessons thus purchased would be valuable
only because their ownership by the United
States would remove the obstacles in the
way of negotiations between the two gov
ernments for the occupation of Colombian
territory by the United States for canal
purposes: but these concessions are unSat-
isfactory and insufficient and a new ar
rangement must be made If an isthmian
canal is TO be constructed by our govern
ment across the Isthmus of Panama.
The grant must be not for a term of
years, but in perpetuity, and a strip OF
territory from ocean to ocean of sufficient
width must be placed under the control of
the United States. In this strip the United
States must have the right TO enforce po-
lice regulations preserve order, protect
property rights and exercise such other
powers as are appropriate and necessary.
The business relations between the rail-
road and canal companies and the Colon
bian government must also be settled, and
States for the privileges and rights to be
exercised in the future must be agreed
upon free from all embarrassment with ref
erence to past transactions.
The report said the negotiation regarding
a new concession belonged TO the treaty
making power, and it added that accept
ance of the new offer of the Panama Com
pany should be conditioned upon the salts
Of
is evident, therefore, that this is an impor-
tant matter, and that the State Depart
ment should lose no time in sounding the
Colombian government in regard to it,
There is reason to believe that no serious
difficulty will be encountered, but in a
matter of so great importance no risks
should be taken. The general temper Of
the Latin American republics is shown by
the following resolution unanimously
adopted by the Pan-American conference
at Mexico City on Wednesday last:
The republics assembled at the interna-
tionaI conference in Mexico applaud the
purpose of the United States government
TO construct an interOceanic canal and ac-
knowledge that this work will not only be
worthy of the greatness of the American
people, but also in the highest sense a
degree beneficial to the development of
commerce between the American states
and other countries of the world.
Owing to the revolution now in progress
in Colombia that republic is not repre-
scented at the conference. 1t is not quite
certain which party Will win in Colombia,
but the United States will, of course, deal
with the existing government. A dispatch
in yesterdays Journal reported the COM
mander of the insurgent forces in Colombia
as saying:
The Liberal party in Colombia is anxious
that the United States shall own, manage
and control the Panama canal. and, if in
power, will enact a new Constitution grant
ing the United States land requisite for
the canal in perpetuity. 1t shall concede
better terms than exist as to annual pay
mentS due the Colombian government on
account of it's previous contract with the
French Canal Company. If successful in
establishing government the Liberal
party will be in a position to treat officially
with the United States regarding all canal
matters.
This is evidently bid for American sym
pathy, and will have a tendency to bring
liberal concessions from the present gov
eminent. 1t is probable the first step of
the State Department will be to arrange
a protocol with the Colombian minister in
| Washington outlining the terms of a
/ treaty, and which would close the door
/ against any attempt at extortion or ex-
/ action by the Colombian government in the
event of the adoption of the Panama route
| Another fact brought out by the supple
mental report of the commission and not
generally known is that Colombia owns
$4,000 shares of ego each OF the stock of the
Panama Company, full paid. of which she
cannot be deprived without her consent
If she desires the United States - adopt
the Panama route she would probably con-
sent to some arrangement regarding this
stock. but it gives her chance TO make
\ trouble If she is so disposed.
Democratic senator criticised Secre-