The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-13
STRIP FOR THE CANAL
1T WILL BE EIGHT MILES WIDE
ACROSS THE IsTHMUs OF PANAMA.
Protocol Will Contain No Provision
for the ReIinquishn.ent of Sow
ereignty by Colombia.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-Full authority
is given for the statement that the protocol
now being prepared by Admiral Walker,
chairman of the isthmian canal commit
tee, and DR.. Silva, the Colombian minis
ter here. will not contain any provision
for the REIMBURSEMENT of sovereignty over
the isthmus. 1t is understood that the
territory for the canal which will be pro-
vided for in the protocol, is a strip eight
miles wide, four miles on either side of the
canal. An interesting question has arisen
with regard to the policing of this zone
that of the pursuit of criminals who COM
NIT crimes within the zone and then take
refuge without it, and it is stated that the
protocol will confer the privilege of pursuit
within the limits of Colombia on criminals
charged with crimes committed within the
zone. Justice will be administered within
the zone by mixed tribunals, and the ques
ton of their organization is now occupy
ing the trainers of the protocol The ques-
ton of price, it is said, will be left as
the last item to be Incorporated in the
document. 1t is desired to have it in the
form of an annuity lump sum, in the
present bad state of Colombia's finances,
it is said, would be Objectionable. as it
would Immediately be swallowed up in
the payment of the country's debts.
lease in perpetuity is contrary to the Con-
stitution of Colombia, and therefore is out
of the question, IL Is stated, and the terms
probably will be a 200 years lease, with
privileges of renewal.
George S. Morrison, an engineer member
of the Isthmian Canal Commission, tes-
titled before the Senate committee on inter-
oceanic canals to-day. expressing a prefer
no nr11n IL col hat
according to his opinion the dam at Bohto
on the Panama line could be constructed
for much more reasonable sum than had
been estimated, and he also thought the
construction of dam there entirely prac-
ticable. He did not believe the double
chambers in the locks would be necessary,
and he thought the control of the Chagres
river entirely practicable. Mr.. Morrison
spoke of the plan for a canal through
tunnel as proposed in the San Bias
Darien) route chimerical. He said that
no person could undertake to say in ad-
vance what material would be encountered
in running tunnel, and that therefore
the risk would be greater than could be
estimated. He also thought 1T impractc-
able to tow ships through such tunnel
by means of an electric trolley.
Chairman Payne to-day presented to the
ways and means committee a brief sub
mitted by the American beet-sugar inter-
ests and Endorsed by the cane-sugar inter-
ests declaring that the recent hearings had
shown that sugar was now being made in
Cuba at a profit and asking that a special
committee proceed to Cuba TO investigate
the question of cost of production, profit
ETC. Mr.. Payne explained to his colleagues
that he had yesterday denied the existence
of such a proposed trip to Cuba, the
brief had not been signed by the cane-sugar
interests until this morning. Representa-
tive Steele. of Indiana, asked if the invita-
fO 90 n II M 6Qd ma INF of
expenses of the trip, to which Representa-
tive Robertson, of Louisiana, answered
shat the expense item will be included if
necessary. The brief sums up the hear
ings at considerable length and states that
if the testimony of the government experts
is correct. then the military Governor of
Cuba, General Wood. has been misin-
formed, and sugar is now being manufac-
tured and sold in Cuba at a profit, that
there exists no possible justification for the
reduction of the present tariff on unrefned
sugar coming from Cuba upon the ground
that Cuban planters are manufacturing
sugar at a loss" Beyond receiving the
brief the committee took action the
Cuban reciprocity subject.
The postoffice appropriation bill has been
practically completed by the House COM
mittee on postoffices and post roads and
will be reported in few days. 1t carries
$137 916 $685. an increase of $14 1873. $40 over the
the estimates. The largest item is 81, $50 900
for railway transportation of mails. The
rural free delivery service gets increase
of S1,25O,OOO making the total 1888 600, and
provision is made to place the rural car
riers under contract system instead of
salaries as at present. The extra allow
ance for fast railway mail service between
New York and Washington is omitted, but
that for the service between Washington
and New Orleans and from Kansas City
to Newton. Kan, is included. There is no
provision for pneumatic-tube service, that
subject being covered in a separate bill.
For increase of salaries of postoffice clerks
SSH 600 is allowed, and 100000 for increase
in salaries of railway employees.
An increase of the salary of the minister
to Persia from $1,000 to $1,000 to-day was
recommended by the Senate committee on
one of the most expensive in the diplomatic
service.
The Senate committee on foreign rea-
tions to-day authorized a favorable report
on the bill comforting on the Spanish
and District courts of the United States in
the matter of taking testimony.
United States Commissioner Taylor de-
cided to-day that Chang Ling, recently ar
rested in this city, charged with violating
the Chinese exclusion act. and who is
claimed to have been at one time a mer-
chant in Chicago, had no right in this
country and must be deported. The China
man has appealed to the District Supreme
Court.
The monthly statement of the exports of
domestic products from the United States
for the month of January, 1902, shows as
follows: Breadstuffs, $13 ISL 1873. a decrease
az compared with January. 1901 of S11 ,000-
600. Cattle and hogs, s.. 262 761. a decrease
OF $650000; provisions, SIS. 139 1886, a decrease
of $1,550,0OO; cotton, $40.321,3lS an increase of
81 AS. 000 mineral oils, s.. 932, 526 an increase
of $720.000 Total for the last seven months,
1922. 1913 146. as against S532, 37 for the cor
responding period ended Jan. 81, 1901.
The ways and means committee to-day
began consideration of the proposition 10
amend the administration of the customs
laws to make more stringent regula-
tons against undervaluations. The board