Evening star., 1902-01-30
No Likelihood That Government VIII
Oede Land for Canal.
WILL EXPECT fgtcoNqRoL TERRITORY
Matter to Be Looked Into by
~. Senate COMMITTEES.
A GU Els TIoN OF It'll E

Information OF very important nature,
although entirely unofficial. has been re-
ceived by friends Of the Nicaragua canal
project In Congress. to the effect that there
Is practically no likelihood that the Co.
lombian government will entertain any
proposition from this government looking
to cessfon Of land for the Panama canal
similar to that which the governments Of
nicaragua and Costa Rica have shown
their Willingness to make. In the case Of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica there has been
no important opposition at any time
against cession Of a strip Of land about
hve miles on each side of the canal route
over which the United States could exer-
else absolute control, defending 1t by police
or military forces in order to keep the
peace and administering Justice by courts
under the Jurisdiction OF the United States
This has always been regarded as very
important cession if the United States gov
OF money necessary to build canal and
to operate 1t.
Position of Colombian Government.
Persons of high standing. who, it Is be-
lieved. are very conversant with the opin-
ions OF the influential powers in the Co.
lombian government, have given their
opinion that there is not the least possi-
bilfty that any such authority can be Sc
cured by the United States from the Colom-
olan government. They declare that that
government under all circumstances will
expect to exercise control in the vicinity
OIL the canal just as If the work were to
pe carried on and the canal to be main
ta1ned and operated by private company.
II this We're the case 1t Is claimed by those
who favor the Nicaragua canal route that
II would be impossible for the United States
n vvvftf
Is believed that any legislation that will
be finally adopted by Congress will con-
tain provisions, if a stipulation is made for
the purchase of the Panama Canal Com
pany, by which the United States will exer-
else over the route of the Panama canal
and land Immediately adjacent thereto the
same powers 1t has always insisted upon
exercising should 1t build canal through
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Otherwise the
continuance Of the construction of the
canal and its maintenance might be seri-
ously tnterfered with by revolutions or
other forms OF disorder. which the United
States government would find difficulty in
suppressfng. as It would not be able to exer-
else it's own authority in the premises
This matter will be thoroughly looked
into by the Senate committee on oceanic
canals, and 1t Is possible that some mem
bers or the Senate may insist that before
action is taken on the canal bill some sort
OF guarantee Of acceptable treaty stipula-
tions on the part, of Colombia be laid be-
fore the Senate. If 1t is not possible to
secure such guarantee from the govern
ment Of Colombia then they will insist that
any bill that is passed involving the likeli-
hood of the purchase Of the Panama canal
shall be entirely dependent upon the secur-
ing OF privileges at Panama equal to those
that would be available in Nicaragua and
Costa Rica.
e. Power to Give Title.
The subject of the power of the Panama
Canal Company to give good title to it's
property is one that Is calling forth express
sions of opinion from many very eminent
lawyers throughout the United States.
AS far as possible the committee on inter-
oceanic canals has endeavored to invite an
expression Of such opinion, and men whose
standing is high in their profession have
already given opinions on that subject in
many instances 1t Is thought likely that
the aggregate Of these opinions If they
bear almost entirely on one or the other
side Of the question, will be very infiuen-
tial in their bearing upon the purchase Of
the Panama canal by the United States,
OF course, should the Spooner amendment
be adopted it contemplates the securing of
just such opinions by the President OF the
United States in order to guide his t,dg-
ment as to the possibility of securing a
title to the Panama canal property which
would not be the subject Of attack In the
future.