The age-herald., 1902-02-12
Senator Pasco a Witness.


 Washington February 11.-Former Uni ted States Senator Pasco. now a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission testf- Ted before tne Senate committee on in- ter-oceanic canals today that he had carefully Investigated the proposition made by the, new Panama Canal Com mission fer tli- sale of the Panama canal rights and he was fully convinced under the French laws and the usage of the French courts that the company has n valid title to the franchise and right of way of the canal and therefore can make a transfer to the United States which would hold in law.
 He expressed the further opinion that any trouble which might arise over the right of way would be encountered In dealing with a Central American govern ment but said this trouble is as probable as dealing with Nicaragua and Costa Rica in regard to the Nicaragua route with Colombia dealing with the Panama route. MT. Pasco said he understood there are now two gentlemen in the city from Colombia for the purpose of cooperating with the minister from that country in granting the necessary concessions for the. construction of the Nicaragua route by the United States
 Question By Morgan.
 Mir. Pasco was questioned at length hy Senator Morgan to the effect of the various treaties between the United States and other powers relative to the canal and also as to the bearing of the French laws on the proposed transfer. the result being that Messrs. Pasco and Morgan disagreed squarely on most of u ose points. Senator Morgan also sought to bring out the fact that a concession of only 90 years in the way of q lease. such as has been given to the Panama com s.l.. would not be sufficient to meet the de- mands of the United States in case the proffer of sale on the part or the Pana- ma company should be accepted by this country and MT. Pasco agreed with him on that point. adding his opinion that a concession in perpetuty could be secured from Colombia. He assented to a sugges- tion made by Senator Forester of Louis jana that an investigation of title in France might be necessary in case the purchase should be decided upon but added that such an inquiry would not be a serious undertaking Paris is not far away" he said.
 Panama Canal Protocol.
 Washington February 1.-The prelim- mary draft of the Panama canal protocol is receiving the consideration of the Co., lombian minister here. Dr. Martinez Silva. the secretary of legation; Mir. Herran and Dr. r. M. Luran. a well known citizen of Panama. Regarding re- ports from Panama that the officials of the legation has reached an agreement for provision in the protocol whereby Colombia was to surrender complete sovereignty over the isthmus, it is de- clared that such rumors are ridiculous and absurd and unworthy of credence.
 Colombia Wants Something More.
 Panama. Colombia. February 1.-The news that Senor Silva, the Colombian minister at Washington and Admiral Walker. president of the canal commits sion, are engaged in drawing up canal protocol has not been well received in circules here. Acting Gov ernor Ariona informs the correspondent of the Associated Press that the inter ests of the isthmus have not been con suited and that 1t is hoped the special of the department of Pan- anna; the construction of an acqueduet and system of sewage. It Is believed. however, that the renewal of work on the canal will mean the end of the Colombian revolution.