Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-11-25
Measure Providing for 1sthmian We
terway Signed by Hay and
Minister Varllla.
TElT OF THE DOCUMENT IS
NOT GIVEN TO THE PUBLIC
SSSd to Differ in But Few Particulars
fron That Rejected by Colombo
United States Civ en- Absolute Con-
troll OF Land-Treaty to Be Ratified
1t Panama.

Washington, Nov. 20. - Secretary
Hay and M. Philippe Bunau-Varilla.
the minister from Panama, at $40
O'Clock Wednesday evening signed the
Hay-Bunau-Varilla treaty providing
Tor the construction of the Panama
canal by the United States The cere-
m0ny occurred in Secretary Hays
study. Hearty congratulations were
exchanged and it was agreed that the
news OF the signing of the treaty
shonid be kept from the public for the
present President Roosevelt was i'm
mediately advised of the signing of
the document and Minister Bunau-Va-
rtAa sent a confidential cablegram to
his government stating that the treaty
had been signed. The secretary and
the minister refused to comment on
the ceremony. The only official ad-
mission that can be had is that the
terms Of the treaty are practically set
ted
Given Absolute Control.
Although the treaty has not been made
public, the press is enabled to give the
substance of the document.
1t consists of between % and Is
articles. but the main points of the con-
vention are contained in the first six
articles. The key note of the treaty is
the provision in one of the very first
articles by which Panama cedes to the
United States whatever land or lands
throughout the republic of Panama this
government shall find desirable in con-
nection with the building or the opera
ton and maintenance of the canal. In
ADDITION the treaty gives to the United
States absolute sovereignty over the
canal strip which it is understood COM
pr1ses between eight and ten miles on
each side of the canal. Within this
zone the power of the United States Is
as absolute as if the zone were part and
parcel Of this country.
Based on Spooner Act.
In general it may be said that while
the new treaty contains many of the pro-
visions of the failed Hay-Herran treaty.
1t Is not based on that convention, but
follows not only the spirit but the letter
of the Spooner act. Thus, instead of the
this new treaty provides for perpetual
grant of the right of way to the United
States and instead of complicated pro-
vision of courts of fixed composition
half American and half Colombian-to
administer justice over the canal strip,
the new treaty permits this government
to exercise the most complete jurisdic-
ton thereupon.
Permission also is given the United
States to fortify the line and the term
fnals and it may police it with troops.
That portion of the treaty dealing with
the fortifcation Of the terminals is
rather general, but sufficiently explicit
not to be misunderstood
The cities of Panama and Colon re-
tain their municipal autonomy under
the Republic of Panama so long as they
maintain public order and sanitary con-
ditions to the satisfaction of the United
States Failure to do this gives the
United States, according to the treaty.
the right to force strict compliance with
the wishes of this government in this d.
rect1on and the United States can even
use force to compel obedience to it's
rules as to public order and public health
in these cities.
Money Goes to Panama.
The money consideration is the same
in the new treaty as in the Hay-Herran
convention. with the exception that the
$4,000 go go to Panama instead of to
Colombia. The treaty further provides
that the canal is to be neutral and open
to all nations on even terms.