The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-29
Who Il the striker?

gotiations with Colombia as off when the
President reports to Congress that such
= the case. An event so vitality impOr-
tant to the future of the greatest enter
prise which the nation now has in hand
is not likely 10 be ignored in the annual
message due next week.
Meanwhile. the reports as to the exact
nature of the hitch in the proceedings
are entirely unofficial. They differ con-
siderably. They cannot all be true, for
il is not possible at the same time that
Senior JOSE VINCENTE CONCHA, the
Colombian Minister, is representing cor
rectly the attitude of his home Govern
ment in the business and that he is mu
tnously refusing to obey orders from
Bogota and sign the treaty.
Between these two extreme theories of
the source of trouble there is room for
various suppostions L. is idle to dis
c,iss them, inasmuch as a reference of the
matter directly to the Colombian Gov
eminent at Bogota, over Seilor CoNCHA's
head and through the American Minister
at Bogota. is likely to educe the desired
Information. The report that the Depart
ment of State has already taken this
course is quite credible.
In considering the possibility Of at
tempted hold-ups of the canal enter
prise, either by mcrcenary individuals
temporarily in relation to the ncSotia-
tons. or as the deliberate policy of a
mercenary Government which thinks
itself in position to extort it's own
terms. there is one thing that ought not
to be forgotten.
The NlcaraGuistS are now contrasting
the alleged disposition shown by the
Government Of Colombia to make use
Of it's opportunities for extortion with
the alleged good faith and reasona ble-
ness Of Nicaragua and Costa Rica and
their readiness to let our canal go through
by that route on our own terms.
Leaving Nicaragua out of the question
what is the position of Costa Rica, whose
consent and cooperation are just as
requisite as those of her neighbor. if
Panama is to be abandoned and the in
ferior route adopted?
What Is the status of negotiations with
Costa Nca? At the time of the passage
Of the Spooner bill it was thus described
In the report of May 81, 1902, signed by
Senator HANNA, Senator PRITCHARD,
Senator WILLARD and Senator KIT
RED0E of the Committee on Inter-
oceanic Canals:
II the Nicaragua Costa Rica route were adopted,
II now appears beyond question tina, satisfactory
che Constitution OF that Government, has been
amended How many years would he needed to
obtain such amendment, or whether It could ever
be obtained. no one can say As matters now
stand. the immediate construction of the Nicaragua.
Costa Rlca Canal Is impossible"
This opinion was not based upon vague
generalities or prejudiced approximations,
but upon this specific declaration by the
President Of Costa Rica, Senior RAFAEL
1GLEslAs. in his message to the Congress
OF that republic. 1t will be found in
House Document No. 6ll, Fifty-Seventh
Congress, First Session, ordered printed
on May 10, 1902:
In view OF the great and paramount, Importance
OF this matter the canal project | deemed II ex.
pedisnt to call an advisory board consisting OF per.
sons Of well known ability and patriotism In order
TO ennshten me In delicate and grave a question.
committee under the chairmarship OF the Score.
isry Of State for the Department OF Foreign Rcla
tons was appointed among the members OF that
board. This committee has discharged Its duties
In a satisfactory manner. touching all the points
which In Its opinion do not contravcne the shirt
OF our political institutions; In conformity to the