The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1902-11-08
COLOMBIA IS UGLY
ORDERS MINISTER coNcHA TO
SUSPEND CANAL NEco.
TlATloNs.
MAY BREAK orr ALTOGETHER
COLOMBIA ANoEREp BY RECENT
POLICY OF UNITED STATES
ON IsTHMus.
COULD &c FIXED IN THIRTY DAYS
If soeoTA GOVERNMENT WOULD
SHOW DISPOSITION TO
MOVE.
MAY BREAK orr ALTOGETHER
COULD Be FIXED IN THIRTY DAYS

Kingston, JAM, NOV. D. lneFe Is
said to be great indignation among the
residents of the isthmus owing to the
Colombian governments instructions
to Minister Concha at Washington to
suspend indefinitely the canal treaty
negotiations. 1t is reported that the
authorities in Bogota are determined
to break off the negotiations altogeth-
er because Of the United States re-
cent policy in restraining the trans
p~ortation of Colombian troops on the
Panama railroad.
The United States marines, it is as
serted, have not hampered the Colon
bian government. On the contrary,
the Americans, by protecting transit
on the isthmus are declared to have
hindered Gen. Herrera from attacking
Colon and Panama, and indirectly aid
ed the government, which would have
been defeated after Aqua Dulce fell
but for the landing of American me-
rines.
Many of the Colombians believe that
the Americans contemplate a perma-
nent occupation of the isthmus.
A fight occurred Wednesday at
Panama between American marines
and some Colombian troops while the
latter were removing ammunition that
had been received from England. A
Colombian officer was wounded. The
troops were driven OFF. The govern
ment will ask for the withdrawal of
the American guard.
The rate of exchane ONE parts
of Colombia is 1900 per cent. Trade
is crippled.
Could Be Quickly Fixed Up.
Washington, Nov. 5.-The belief Of
some of the officials here is that if the
matter is expedited, a treaty for the
construction of the Panama canal can
be completed by the contracting
parties within thirty days, thus en-
abling the president to send it to the
senate early in the coming session.
Senior Concha's instructions are
ample and complete enough to enable
him to complete the negotiations, and
1t is understood they will be resumed
almost Immediately. Many of the
features of the treaty are covered by
the protocol heretofore agreed to by
the government of Colombia and the
United States and there yet remains
three points Of great Importance
which will require some delicate
handling to be acceptable 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, third, that Of 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 senate before it comes before
the Colombian congress for considera-
ton. Having been ratified by the lei
ate, its presentation to the Colombian
government will embody the crystal
liked sentiment of the American gov
eminent on the Panama canal situ1t
ton.
Preparations are under way in Co
lombia for the election Of a new con
gress, which, If the circumstances re-
quire, can be convened at short notice
and the canal treaty presented to it
for action. A majority vote of both
houses in that body, the same as Tor
the enactment of ordinary legislation,
will insure its acceptance by the Co
lombian government.