The Minneapolis journal., 1902-08-13
NO NEED OF HASTE
In Naming the Panama Canal Com
mission.
COLOMBIA TAKING HER TIME
A Possibility of Non-AgreementW With
the Isthnlian Re-
public.

Fro,, The journal Bureau, Room, As, Post
Building, Washington.
commissioners to have charge of the con-
struction of the isthmian canal the presi-
dent Is particularly anxious to get men
whom he can trust Millions of dollars
of the public funds are at stake, not to
mention also. the country's good name
and reputation. The experience of France
with the Panama enterprises stands as a
warning.
The president feels that he has the
right to select members of the canal COM
mission who shall be close to him person
ally. He knows that his own political
fortunes are inseparably bound up in the
success of this canal work. He has been
invested by congress with the greatest
latitude of discretion, and likewise with
the greatest responsibility.
While the president has been consider
ing the appointment of the commission
which is to have charge of the construc
tion he may not have occasion to name the
commission until after the expiration of
this congressional Is, until after next
March. 1t has become evident that the
title Of the Panama company is not the
only question which may give pause to the
proceedings. That is in way to be set
tied in one way or another before long.
Roosevelt and Root are at the task, and
whatever may be said of Roosevelt he is
not of the dallying kind, nor is Root in the
habit Of killing time over his work. But
the Colombian treaty cannot be disposed
Of in any such manner. Secretary Hay has
been in conference with Mr.. Concha and
Attorney Cromwell representing the Co.
lombian government, and the upshOt of
the meetings has been an Immediate de-
lay OF at least twelve weeks, with the
prospect Of some troublesome obstacles
in the future. It has become evident, in
npQ0fi9finnS n.
not go on here nor be settled by the Co.
lombian minister under his present powers
and instructions. A draft Of the proposed
treaty embodying the demands of the
United States has started for Bogota, a
journey by mule packs and wagons con-
suming six weeks. Then there will be
delay at Colombia-our Latin-American
cousins are notorious for their procrasti-
netions-and then the return trip, eating
up another six weeks. There are some
delicate questions to be adjusted in con-
nection with the negotiation Of right Of
way for the canal. Colombia does not
want to surrender the sovereignty over the
land and the United States will insist on
practical sovereignty before starting the
canal This country has no mind to be
hampered in the prosecution of SO great
work by blackmailing revolutions and To-
cal disorders. The land which 1t improves
with this canal will have to be practically
under the sovereignty of the United
States. ..--.
By the terms of the protocol with Co.
lombia the United States has arranged for
lease Of the strip necessary for the right
of way. This lease will be in perpetuity,
and the United States agrees to pay a
nominal rental to the Colombian govern
| ment. The amount Of the rental, and the
| manner in which it shall be rated, is left
very vague in the preliminary negotia-
| tions, and there Is room for squabble
and annoying delay. "
By the time congress reassemkles in De-
cember the president will have a report
to make on the title of the Panama Canal
company, and on the treaty arrangements
| with the Colombian government. The only
! Importance of the latter is based on the
assumption that the report on the title is
favorable to Panama; otherwise the presi-
| dent would have turned his attention to
| Nicaragua, and his treaty for right of way
would be with that country. In five
months, therefore, 1t will be up to the
United States senate to remove the final
obstacle to building canal by ratifyine
right Of way treaty.
The president will hardly purchase the
Panama company's rights until after the
treaty with Colombia is ratified. There is
no necessity for haste, and If the United
States were committed to the Panama
route to the extent Of having forty mil
lions invested, the Colombian government
might find it easy to "hold up this gov
eminent. -.
The Spooner law appropriates ten mil.
lion dollars to be used by the president fol
| incidental expenses connected with tho
work OF securing an isthmian canal. II
| creates the isthmian canal commission
and gives the president power to appoint
them at once and tc pay any salary he
may determine to be just. The position o
| canal commissioner, just at present, and
for some time yet, is and will be {
| sinecure.
In case Senator spooner would like tt
| resign from the senate, instead of goint
on with his fight with the La Toilette fac
tion in Wisconsin, the president would b,
willing to appoint him on the isthmiar
canal commission.