The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-05-17
Projected Canal Treaties
Sent to Congress by
Secretary of State.
ADDED CONCESSIONS At PANAMA
South American Republic Will Place No
Obstacles in Way of Canal-Costa
RIGA Ready to Enter Into Arrangement
Constitutional Amendment First.

Secretary Hay has sent to Chairman
Morgan. of the Senate Committee on In
teroceanic Canals. and to Chairman Hep
burn. of the House Committee on Inter-
state and Foreign Commerce. copies OF
the projected treaties with Colombia and
Nicaragua regarding the construction of
an isthmian canal. and correspondence in
connection herewith.
The Secretary also forwarded copy OF
a letter addressed by him to the minister
from Colombia, April 81. The communi-
cation announces that he was directed by
the President to inform the minister OF
his readiness to sign with him the pro-
posed convention as soon as Congress
should have authorized the President to
enter into such an arrangement. and the
law officers of this Government decided
upon the question of the title which the
new Panama Canal Company would be able
to give of all properties and rights claim
ed by it pertaining to canal across the
isthmus, and covered by the pending pro-
posal.
Costa RIGA Ready.
The Secretary stated that he had not yet
received definite proposition from the
government of Costa Rica, but had been
informed by the Costa Rican minister that
his government was ready to enter into
satisfactory arrangement with the United
States, but that it would be necessary that
the government of Costa Rica should. be-
fore entering into positive negotiations I
adopt constitutional amendment author
izing the necessary concessions for the
construction of an interoceanic canal CT
TO have the matter referred to public |
opinion in some other way, by calling a |
constituent assembly for the purpose.
The Secretary said he was assured that |
these steps will be taken soon as Con- |
gress shall decide the route of the canal. |
Concluding. Secretary Hay writes:
81 have the honor to submit these doc
uments TO your committee with the hope 1
that this definite information may be of |
service to you in determining the route
of the proposed canal. The President
wishes me TO express to you and the COM
mittee his earnest hope that there may
be as little delay as possible in the legis
lation which will authorize the begin
ming of this work, which he regards as so
important and so benefcent to this coun-
try and the world
Will Extend Concessions.
In his letter to Secretary Hay trans
hitting the memorandum of the basis OF a
treaty, Minister Jose vincinte Concha, the
Colombian minister. said:
'fIf the people Of the United States
evince an earnest desire that their Gov
eminent apply its energies and treasure
to the completion of the canal, Colombia
not only will not place any obstacle what
ever in the way of such a purpose. or
keep her concessions within the bounds
OF those previously conceded to private
but will enlarge those con-
cessions to such an extent to renounce
a demand for the ownership after the
lapse OF a number of years OF operation.
as stipulated in the French companys
she will grant the use of a
much more extensive zone than that origi
nalIy conceded for the execution OF the
work: extend facilities in all ports of the
republic for cooperation in the work OF
the enterprise; relinquish her proprietary
and usufructory rights in the Panama
Canal: and lastly. forego fixed partici-
patton in the proceeds of the canal, con-
fning her demands to a fee or annuity
for the price OF the zone. the revenues
Of the railway. and the heavier expenses
put upon the public administration in the
sthmus by the increase of population and
me traffic consequent to the work on the
canal itself"
Provisions of Treaty.
J. That the government of Colombia au-
.horizes he new Panama Canal Company ,
10 sell its rights TO the United States. ,
2 The United States shall have the
exclusive right TO construct and operate
The canal ,
3. The United States shall have a zone ,,
1--WE kilometers wide for the canal, for a
period of 100 years. with the privilege I
IF renewal the zone to be neutral terri
DRY guaranteed by the United States, a ,,
ONT commission created by the United
States and Colombia TO enforce sanitary |
md police regulations.
l. The sovereignty OF Colombia to be
over the territory of the c
anal. j
8. Lighthouses. ports, and other aids to
lavigation TO be- constructed by the Unit 7
d States: as also hospitals and neees- \
AIRY aqueducts and drainage works in
'anama and Colon. II
8. Colombia Will not cet/ or lease TO any
oreign government any Of its islands or
arbors that might interfere with the
sc or safety OF the canal. and TO enable u
TO carry out this stipulation the
nited States shall give to Colombia the n
lateral support that may be necessary.
T. Damages arising from the construc-
on of the canal shall be appraised 10y q
int commission to be paid by the Unit -,
States alone however.
4 The norris at either end of the c.naI ei