Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-08-18
OPPOSITION N SENATE
Effort to Secure Ratification Of
New Canal Treaties May
Be Blocked
OBSTACLE FEARED
This Is the Fact That the Constitution
of Costa RIGA Will Likely Have to
Be Amended Before Control Over
Any of II err Territory May Be Grant
ed To a Foreign Flower.

ed To Foreign F'ower.
Washington, Aug. u.s. Colombia's re-
lection of the canal treaty eliminates
the Panama route from further consid-
Grafton. and the attention OF this gov
eminent Will now be turned 70
Nicaragua and Costa Rica. While it Is
true that treaties already have been
negotiated with the two Central Ameri-
lean republics, new negotiations proba-
bly, will have 10 be begun. as those
treaties were drafted Chiefly for the
purpose of whipping Colombia into line
Perhaps most serious obstacle to be
encountered in an endeavor to secure
ratification of the new treaties by the
United States senate is that while there
is a general demand for the isthmian
canal. there is Il strong opposition 10 II
in the United States senate. This OPP
position is backed lily certain railroad
Interests. It's strength was shown dur
ing the crimonious contest over the
Panama canal treaty, and it was only
after mon his of hard work that that
agreement was ratified. 1t is predicted
that the fight over new treaties Will be
even more bitter.
Another obstacle. which can be re-
moved, however. in hue course of time,
IS the fact that the constitution of Co.'S
Ia RIGA forbiis the granting TO any for
e:gn power sovereignty over its terri
tory. A convention will have to be
called to amend the constitution, giving
the United States perpetual control
over the canal strip. The president OF
Costa Rica has called this fact to the
attention of his people, and when the
negotiations for new canal treaty be-
gin he viii take steps toward conven-
ing a constitutional convention.
Aside from these obstacles there Will
be smooth sailing, as both Nicaragua
and Costa RIGA are anxious to have the
canal constructed thru their territory,
as it will De of great advantage TO those
countries. They are more reasonable
in their demands than Colombia, which
exacted bonus OF s1O,000000 and ar
annual rental of S2G0.000.
In the protocols and treaties entered
into with those countries, but which
were not ratified because of the adop-
ton of the Panama canal route, Costa
Rica agreed 10 grant the necessary con-
cession for bonus of Sl.500,000 and 4
small annuity. and the United States
agreed to guarantee in perpetuity the
sovereignty, independence and terri
torial integrity Of the little republic.
Nicaragua will grant the concessions
for bonus Of $6,00t,000 and an annuity
of only $4,000, with the same guaran-
tee of territorial integrity.
These are small considerations COM
pared with the demands of Colombia
a bonus of S10.000,000 and an annual
nal by tae Nicaralguan route will be
greater than by the Panama, and the
distance thru it will be four or five
times as great, but the Nicaraguan
route is much nearer the United States.
For the shorter route congress appro-
priated s60.000,000 and authorized an
additional expenditure of s135,000,000,
or a total of s195.0o0,000 OF this
amount 100000, 900 was for the Panama
railway and other property and the
rights of the Panama Coal Company. A
bonus of Sl0,000.0G0 was TO be paid to
Colombia. and $10,000,0o0 devoted for
the beginning of work on the canal.
II Costa Rica arid Nicaragua do not
increase their price for concessions the
Nicaragua canal win cost $197,500,000.
OF this amount S6,D00,000 would be paid
to Nicaragua, s1,5D0,00o to Costa Rica,
10,00Q.0D0 for inaugurating the work
on the canal, and s1S0,000,000 author
lied for expenditure in the future. The
Nicaragua canal, therefore, will cost
2,500.000 more than the Panama route,
but if the canal had been constructed
by the latter route the United States
government would have owned the rail-
road running between the city of Pam
anna and Colon at an additional cost OF
$2,500.000.
In order to make it possible to build
the waterway by the Nicaragua route it
was necessary for the United States to
negotiate a treaty with Great Britain
abrogat.ng the Clayton Bulwer treaty
and entering into a new convention.
This treaty. which was negotiated by
Secretary Hay and Lord Pauncefote, is
now in effect, consequently no obstacles
will be encountered in this direction.
Secre:a AIRY Hay will, IL all probabii-
ty. return to Washington Immediately
and begin new negotiations with Senior
Calvo. he Costa Rican minister, and
Senior C'orea, the Nicarasuan minister.
They may, perhaps. sign the old treaties
which were negotiated some months
ago.
to r1,l,
committed to the canal proposition and
will do all in his power to facilitate
matters. He is considering now the
question OF calling congress together
early III October, and the canal situa-
ton presents an additional reason for
deciding on this plan. He is we'll aware
that tie fight OIL the treaties will be
bitter and protraGted.