New-York tribune., 1902-10-30
CANAL NEGOTIATIONS.
DECISION OF THE COLOMBIAN GOVERN
MENT AWAITED IN WASHINGTON.

Washington. Oct. G9.-The status to-day of the
Colombian canal negotiations is that both sides
here are awaiting decision of the Colombian
Government to whether Minister Concha shall
proceed under his original instructions to pre-
sent the State Department the Colombian
response to the departments proposal for a
treaty When the response arrived in Washing
ton two days ago the minister promptly in
formed the State Department of the fact but
he added 10 his notice the statement that in
view of recent developments (meaning occur
rences on the isthrlus since the note started
from Bogota on September 16) he had regarded
it as his duty to withhold it until he heard
further from his government.
AS the state Department had in some way
come 10 know that the Colombian response
would If submitted. go far toward meeting the
desires of this government in the matter of
caral treaty, this delay was annoying Bot as
the minister had his own notion Of duty in the
matter ii was decided that an appeal should be
taken over his head TO the authorities in Bogota
Accordingly a cable dispatch sent to
Minister Hart at Bogota. informing him Of the
action of the Colombian Minister here. No spe-
cihc complaint was made, but it was desired to
make sure that the Colombian Government knew
that the note had been held back
The point 10 which officials here object is the
attempt 10 link the negotiations for canal
treaty pure and simple with the discussion Of
the question Of the correctness Of the attitude
OF American naval officers on the isthmus. 1t
is expected that the delay will not be long. for
even if the Colombian answer is not satisfac-
tory the United States Government will still be
bound ny the terms OF the Spooner act TO pro-
ceed toward the construction of an isthman
canal and the only question to he decided is as
to the method. There two ways open. even IN
case of an adverse attitude on the part Of Colom-
bia. namely. either for the United states Gov
ernment 10 proceed without delay 10 complete
treaties with Nicaragua and Costa ltlcd nects-
sary for the construction OF canal IN those
countries. or-and this latter course would be
adopted with reluctance-the government might
purchase outright the franchise Of the French
Panama Canal Company and go on Tesolu;eIy
with the construction Of the Panama canal t'k-
ing the ground that II would have right 10
improve its own property without reference 10
any other government. and taking no further
notice of Colombia.
Secretary Hay had two callers to-day VINO
talked about canal affairs. The hrst was MT.
Cromwell, counsel for the Panama Canal COM
pany. who wished to ascertain the next step
10 be taken by the United States Government IN
view Of Attorney General Knoxs opinion re-
! spectng the canal title As this seems 10 de-
tiations with the Colombian Government. no
direct information could be furnished
Later in the day came Commander Mclean,
| lately in command OF the cruiser Cincinnati
He was presented by Captain Cowles, and
gave the Secretary a most interesting account OF
} the situation on the isthmus. The Secretary
was particularly impressed by the tactful man
ner I'm which the naval officer had maintained
| friendly and even cordial personal relations
with the Colombian officers. while quietly but
effectually exercising the treaty powers Of the
| United States Government toward the main
| tenance of free traf1c across the isthmus.