Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-30
TIE COLOMBIAN
CANAL TREATY,
Delay Annoying to the State DEPART
mcNt-COurSc to he Pursued if
Colombia Continues Obxtinatc

WASHINGTON. D. c.. October Co
The status to-day OF the Colombian canal
negotiations is that both sides are await
ing decision of the Colombian govern
Inent as to whether Minister Concha shall
proceed upon his original instructions 70
present to the State Department the CO.
lomb.an response to the departments pro-
posal for d treaty. When the response
arrived in Washington two DAYS ago the
minister notified the State Department
OF the fact but he added to his notice the
statement tina in view of recent develop
ments Gneaning events thai had happened
on the Isthmus since the note started
from Bogota, September 16th,) he had re-
sarded it as hts duty to withhold it until
he heard further from his government
APPEAL TO BOGOTA
AS the State Department. had in some
way come to know that the Colombian re-
sp0rsc would. if submitted. go far to-
wards meeting the desires OF this govern
ment in the matter of completing this
treaty. this delay was very annoying but
IS the minister had his own notion of
duty in the matter, It was decided that
an appeal should be made over his head
20 the authorities in Bogota. Accordingly
4 cableSram vas sent to United States
Minister Hart, ut the Colombian capital
notifying him of the action of the CO.
'onlbian Minister here. No specific COM
plant was made, but it was desired to
make sure that the Colombian govern
nent knew that the note had been held
back. The matter OF objection by our own
officials is the attempt to link the nego-
;ations .or q canal treaty, pure and sim
PIC. With the discussion of the ques-
lions . the correctness OF the attitude Of
our naval officers on the Isthnus.
The State Department is perfectly will
ng to discuss the latter but believes
hat this matter should not be permitted
% interfere with the treaty negotiations.
Tor their part, the Colombian officials
hold that as The projected treaty rcncWs
or continues the provisions of the exist
ng treaty relating to naturalization OF
rsthmus traffic, which is now the subject
81 contention between the two govern
nents. it is proper that the canal treaty
DC held back until either by an amend
1ent o: the old treaty or change in the
language of the new treaty Colombian
sovereignty can be safeguarded.
It is said that the delay will not be
ong. for even if the Colombian answer
s :lnfavorable. this government IS still
7ound by the terms OF the Spooner act
proceed toward the construction of an
sthmian canal. and the only question to
e decided is as to the method. There
re two ways open even in the event Of
adverse attitude on the part Of Co
nmbia. namely, either the United States
0vernment to proceed without delay to
orclude the treaties with Nicaragua and
'csta RIGA, rendered necessary for the
obstruction Of the Isthmian canal in
hese countries. or land this latter course
Guild be a7oD.ed with reluCtance) the
overnment might purchase outright the
anchise of the French Panama Canal
aucpanN and 20 on resolutely with the
Instruction of the Panama canal taking
g ground that it would have a right to
prove its own property without refer
sc TO any other government, and TAX
no further notice of Colombia.