Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-02
H[RRAN H[aIA||NG
Isthmian Canal Question I'm
settled Because Represent
alive Fears to Act
AFRAID OF HOME GOVERNMENT
Negotiations for Treaty Would be Con-
cluded Could Herran's Signature be
secured-Question of Amount of An.
nuity Colombia Shall Receive is
TroubIesome-concha Dangerous.

T II
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE one ques-
ton of real national Importance left
unsettled at the close of the year is
that OF an isthmian canal.
There is halt in the negotiations
for a treaty with Colombia, and that
halt is due to the timidity of the rep
resentative Of Colombia, Mr.. Herran,
who seems to be afraid to attach his
signature to any kind of a final agree
mont It is the old story of fair prom
ises but. hesitation to fulfill. Colombia
has made all kinds of fair promises,
but her representative in Washington
fears to act for that government by
ending the talk with his signature to
q treaty. He has the power, but he
fears to exercise 1t because his home
is in Colombia and he expects to re-
turn there.
Either TO be Rewarded or Punished.
DIR. Herran, like other representa-
t;yes of South American republics, is
not sure of his position. He has not
implicit confidence that his government
will stand by his Instructions.
DR.. Herran has before him the expe-
rience Of his predecessor, Senior Silva.
who was Colombian minister In Wash
tngtOn for several years, and who was
regarded as a reasonable and broad
minded diplomat in his dealings with
the state department, and who was
called home year ago to receive fur-
Their instructions. No sooner had he
landed at Bogota than he was clapped
In Jail and he is still in confinement in
danger of death. Mr.. Concha succeeded
Senior Silva, and he declined to sign
treaty. Concha was called home and
the secretary OF the legation, DR.. Her
ran, was instructed to continue the ne
ROTATIONS. But DR.. Herran fears to
agree upon the amount of annuity his
government shall receive. 1t might be
less than his home government would
think it possible to secure. Concha is
on his way to Bogota, and he is filled
with bitterness toward the Washington
authorities and also some hostility to
Hervan.
Concha will try to make trouble.
He will insist that whatever amount
may be agreed upon is too small. He
has exaggerated ideas as to the wealth
OF this country and the ability of Col
onlbfa to fleece this government out Of
money for the canal treaty. Concha is
said to have considerable influence in
Colombia and he may make trouble
for DR.. Herran. So the doctor thinks
and he is waiting developments.
All other points In the canal treaty
have been agreed upon. There was
much talk about the inability OF Col
ombia to ALLEVIATE territory by grant
ing q perpetual lease to the United
States, but this has been settled by a
lease for 100 years, with the privilege
OF renewal The annuity is the only
feature OF the treaty not agreed upon.
The state department tried to arrange
for the payment of q lump sum for the
concession, but Colombia wanted such
q price that could not be embodied in
q treaty and sent to congress. 1t was
found possible to get an agreement of
this kind without the payment of some
thing like twenty or twenty-five mil
lion of dollars. The senate would never
agree to pay such q sum for the con :
cession. The department then tried
to increase the first payment from ST.
100000 to $10,0o0.000 and reduce the
annuity from S250.0o0 which Colombia
now receives from the railroad. to
100000. The increase OF $3,000,O00
would be equivalent to an annuity of
$4,000 for twenty years and the $780,
900 paid yearly would equal the pres
ent annuity received from the Panama
railroad. This appeared satisfactory
TO Colombia, but the success Mr.. Her :
ran had in securing that change so is
TO increase the first payment from
100000 to $4,000, 600 made his gov
eminent hopeful OF securing further
increase in the payment. That gov
eminent now hopes to secure the &c.
100000 and in addition an annuity of
anywhere from $260,000 to 100000. It
is, however, afraid to fix the amount
Of its demands. as it does not want
to make demands that will turn the
United States toward the Nicaragua
canal and it fears that it may not ask
all that is possible to secure. DR.. Her.
ran IL charged with this delicate work
Of holding up Uncle Sam for all he
can get and at the same time not lose
the deal by asking too much. The
charge d'affaires is timid under such
Instructions. He is waiting and the
treaty remains unsigned. Should this
delay continue for several weeks 1t
Will threaten the Panama canal as Sen
ator Morgan and Representative Hep
burn are ready to begin new efforts
in behalf of the Nicaragua canal as
soon as congress meets next week.
The state department hopes that the
renewed agitation for the Nicaragua
route will aid the Colombian govern
ment to decide what it is going to
do about fixing a definite price for the
concession for the Panama canal. Dr..
Herran may be able to get courage
to sign when he sees congress going
back to the old Nicaragua route for %
canal.
HELD UP COAL DLALER.
NNona llene RaNoJuer 80 IL re-