New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-03-22

MINISTER CONCHA STATES THE FRIEND.
LY ATTITUDE OF COLOMBIA.
DRAFTING A TREATY-NICARAGJ-A ADvO-
Gates PLANNING A SURPRISE.
IBY TELEGRAPH 70 -ur rR1BrNE.l

LBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE.I
Washington March 21-Sehor Concha. the
new Minister from Colombia. issued a carefully
prepared statement tonight in refutation Of as
sertions derogatory TO the French proposition
to sell the Panama Canal property to the
United States, and which were attributed by a
New-York paper to-day to Dr. Martinez Silva.
the retiring Colombian Minister, who is now IN
New York, awaiting "A steamer for Colombia.
Minister Concha's statement is as follows:
New-York paper of this date publishes a
supposed obstacle as to the right Of the new
Panama Canal Company to transmit it's rights
to the United states. and attributes this state
ment TO DR.. Martinez Silva, my predecessor in
the Colombian Legation. In the article referred
to incorrect statements also emitted by Mr..
Antonio J. Restrepo, agent Of the Colombian
rebels, as to the object Of my mission 10 the
United states The sole object Of the publication
referred to seems to be to obstruct the pending
canal negotietions and to obscure a question
that Of itself is very clear
Even supposine, for the sake Of argument
only. the last extension granted by the Colon
bian Government for the further term Of six
years to be open to question the term referred
to would expire i'm 1904. instead OF 1910 but un-
til that date G90b. at any rate the new Fan9 ma
Canal Company may dispose of its present un-
questionable rights. leaving to the purchaser
tthe United States the duty Of obtaining
tension Cf the concession. which the government
Of Colombia undoubtedly can give with the ap-
probation OF its Congress and Congra SIS also. 10y
the grant or Il new concession TO the United
States, set at rest any question Whatever
concerning the previous extension.
not
seek in the canal matter pecuniary profit only
It desires to give all the facilities that may be
in its power TO grant without detriment to it's
sovereignty and integrity. i'm order to realize a
work of universal progress. i'm the suppositfou
that reasonable agreement be arrived at
which agreement would. ] repeat require this
appreciation Of its Congress, as in the case with
any other nation.
Colombia is not controlled by the expectation
Of immediate gains. The benefits NAV not be
derived for several years, and the fun benefits
will accrue 10 future generations 1t has highe~
ideals If national interest and loftor patriotisrn
than are entertained by its internal enemies.
William Nelson Cromwell. of New-Yorlz. the
general counsel for the Panama Canal Com
pany. who is hero cola aborating with Minister
Concha in the preparation Of a new canal treaty
between Colombia and tho United States. says
that he to-day received from ex-Mnster Silva
telegram authorizing him to contradict un-
equivocally the statements attributed to him as
being msconsuuction Of his words Mr.
Cromwell said that DR.. Silva had on the other
hand. consistently recognized the rights title
and legal status of the new Panama Canal Com
parry in the official correspondence submitted to
Congress as part of the report OF the Isthmian
Canal Commission. and in his own proposed
treaty with the United States, and that Dr.
Silva had the strongest desire to consummate
the acquisition Of the canal by the United States
The minister, DR.. Concha, is closely en-
gagged with Mr.. Cromwell in drafting the new
treaty. and expects to submit it 10 Secretary
Hay within a few days
IN the mean time Senator Morgan ana othrr
supporters Of the Nicaragua route in h Sen
ate seem 10 be preparing new move TO spring
on the Panama people in and out of Congress.
What this will be cannot now be guessed, as
Senator Morgan refuses longer to discuss the
purposes and policies of the Interoceanic Canal
Committee until ne is ready to act. II is not
thought however, that any considerable head
way can be made by the Nicaragua people in the
Senate until Senator Hanna and the supporters
of the SpOoner amendment to the Hepburn
Canal bin have thoroughly canVassed the whole
question in the new light thrown II by the
French proposition. II is known. in fact. that
the supporters Of the SpOoner amendment are
strong enough to hold up all further action
pending the determination Of the interesting
question they have raised