Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-04
Definite Proposition to Sec
rotary Hay.
THE SUBJECT RESUMED
MINISTER CoNCHA CALLS AT
THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
1t is Believed THAT the Main Difficulty
About Treaty Relates to
Matter of Price.

Senior Concha the Colombian minister,
called on Secretary Hay at the State De-
partment today to take up the subject of
treaty between the United States and Co.
lombia comforting the necessary rights to
the United States for the construction OF
canal across the isthmus. Mr.. Concha met
the Secretary by appointment.
Mr. Herran. secretary Of the Colombian
legation, accompanied the minister. The
interview lasted about half an hour. and
the preliminary steps toward the ne gotiat-
ing of a treaty were taken by the repre-
sentatives of the two governments.
Secretary Hay Is anxious to conclude
treaty as early as possible, but all depends
upon whether terms can be readily agreed
upon. 1t Is indicated from what can be
learned at the legation that Mr.. Concha has
resumed negotiations Of his own initiative,
but yet expects some special instructions on
certain points involved.
Definite Proposition Submitted.
The minister this morning submitted a
definite proposition which is in the nature
Of an answer to the treaty proposed by the
United States
Secretary Hay has taken this answer in
charge and will make no further step until
the President has returned to Washington
ana mas mad opportunity 10 CONSIDER THIS
latest proposition. If he approves 1t then
a long step will have been taken toward
the end; otherwise Secretary Hay will make
q rejoinder to Colombia, pointing out the
Objectionable features of her proposition.
The details of the Colombian proposition
are withheld by the State Department and
by the legation people at this stage The
one important fact developed however, is
that It Is not obnoxious to the spirit Of the
Spooner law. Therefore. the officials felt
warranted IN the statement that If there
were any difficulties In the way they were
not legal in character. This Is taken to
mean that the main Issue remaining to be
settled is one of price The Colombian
government wants $4,000, 900. instead Of
81, 900 proposed by the United States,
besides different arrangement for the an
nual payments. 1t is believed that this
difference is not large enough to seriously
retard the close of the negotiations.
Belief of officials.
The belief of some of the officials here Is
that if the matter is expedited a treaty for
the construction of the canal can be COM
pleted by the contracting parties within
thirty days. thus enabling the President to
send it to the Senate early in the coming
short session. Senior Conchas instructions
are ample and complete to enable him to
proceed with the negotiations, and the
derstanding Is that they will be resumed al
most Immediately. Many of the features
the protocol heretofore agreed on between
the governments of Colombia and the
United States but there yet remain three
points of great Importance which will
quire some delicate handling to be accept
able to the Colombian government. These
relate to the question of sovereignty and
the exclusion of Panama and Colon from
the free zone, the matter of Indemnity, and,
thirdly, that of the lease, which, while not
being one in perpetuity, will have that
practical effect.
The feeling in official circles here is that
the treaty should be acted on by the United
States before 1t comes before the Colombian
congress for consideration Having been
ratified by the Senate Its presentation to
the Colombian government will embody the
crystalllzed sentiment of the United States
government on the Panama canal PROPOSE
ton.
Preparations are under way In Colombia
at this time for the election of a new con-
gress, which. IL the circumstances require
it, can be convened at short notice and the
canal treaty presented to 1t for action. A
majority vote of both houses In that body.
the same as for the enactment of ordinary
legislation, will insure its acceptance by the
Colombian government.