The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-06
THE PRESIDENT AND TIL IsTHMIAN

preparing to execute the duties imposed on
duties are very responsible, and their dis
charge will involve much careful investiga-
ton. negotiation, weighing Of conflicting
claims, etc. One Of the preliminary steps
already taken is the selection of a person
to go to Paris and make a thorough inves-
tigation OF the title and status of the Pana-
ma Company. This will be done under in
structions from the attorney general, who
will. OF course. pass upon all the legal
points involved in the case. The Presi-
dent can command able assistance In the
work d~evolved on him, but the final re-
sponsibility OF selecting a route will be his.
If he shall find that the French Panama
Canal Company can make a good title to
its franchise and property on the isthmus
he is authorized to pay SO. 100000 therefor.
The question Of title will be the first one
to be decided. and unless that is settled
company will cease. 1t is expected, how
ever, that the company will be able to make
a perfect title. It's conveyance must cover
its rights, franchises. concessions. unfinished
work. plants and property OF all kinds
owned by the company on the Isthmus Of
Panama. and all it's maps. plans and rec
ords, either on the isthmus or In Paris. 1t
Is the opinion of experts that $40, oOO,O 600 is
not too much to pay for this property, but
that Is the maximum price fixed by the law.
However. the deal with the Panama COM
pany Is not to be closed until the President
shall have concluded a treaty with the
Republic of Colombia for the perpetual con-
troll of a strip of land not less than six
miles wide, extending from the Caribbean
sea to the Pacific ocean, and the right to
dispose Of the waters thereon and to con-
struct. maintain and operate thereon a
transisthmian canal, including Jurisdiction
over said strip and the ports at the ends
thereof. 1t was thought at first that there
might be some difficulty in obtaining such
a concession from Colombia, but if any
existed it seems to have disappeared.
A dispatch from Washington says the
main points of the treaty have been in
formally discussed and negotiations for it
will be begun In a few days. 1t is said the
amount to be paid Colombia for a relin-
quishment to the United States of exclu-
sive rights over the six-mile strip will be
100000 in gold. payable on the exchange
of ratihcations Of the treaty, and in addi-
ton Colombo is TO receive an annuity at
the end of fourteen years, TO be determined
by mutual agreement at that time. This
annuity Is expected to be 5000, 900 a year.
This will be a great lift financially for
Colombia. The six-mile strip of territory
will not be coded to the United States in
a political sense, but the United States will
be given complete control and Jurisdiction
over it. with the right to establish police
and sanitary regulations, local courts. etc.
The law does not name the amount to be
paid Colombia for the concessions. that
being left to the discretion of the President,
both as to the cash payment and the per-
petual annuity. 1t does, however, appro-
pirate $40. 0OO,O 600 for immediate use toward
the project herein contemplated by either
route selected" and a cash aymen to
Colombia could be made out of this appro-
$1,000 - SNLC SAACGAa
arise in negotiating a treaty with Colombia
negotiations with the Panama company
would end and the President would take
up the N%icaraguan route. In addition to the
$40. 100000 which he is authorized to pay
the Panama company, if that deal goes
through, and in addition also to the SIC, OOO,-
600 appropriated for other necessary ex-
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Colombia, the law authorizes an
expenditure of 1885, 900, 900 for construc-
tion of a canal by the Panama
route, and of $50, 100000 for one by the
Nicaragua route should that be selected.
Finally, the law creates an isthmian canal
commission. consisting Of seven members,
at least four of them to be learned and
skilled in the science of engineering, one
to be an officer of the army and one to be
an officer of the navy all to be appointed
by the Presiden Mt. This commission will have
nothing to do with the choice of a route,
raguan, but after the route is selected il
will, under the direction of the President,
have charge of the details of surveying,
locating and constructing the canal. OF
building harbors at the termini, etc. From
what has been said 1t will be seen that the
law imposes heavy responsibilities on the
President. and while he is given large dis
cretionary power of action he is likely, in
exercising it. TO be cautious to an extent
that will involve much thought and labor
on his part. In his next annual message he
Will be able to report substantial progress
at least on the preliminary steps of con-
structing the great work which has been
under discussion so long.
AN INDIANIAN'S ESTIMATE.
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