New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-07
HERRAN KEEPS UP HOPE.
Possibility of Secession Of Panama
from Colombia.
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Washington, Sept 0.-DeSpite the sonle"hal
cisconragiug sentiment accredited TO high OF
hcial OF the State Department regarding the
handling OF the Panama Canal treaty by the
Colombian Congress. Dr. Herran. Coiombias
representative In this country. expresses him
self as anything but discouraged regarding nnal
ratification OF the compact While Dr. herran
has not been kept posted as 10 every phase OF
tie eight for ratification at BOgota. he has had
tie advantage OF all Information which mas
passed between the agents OF the French COM
oany al Bogota and washington. From this
source Il is learned that there is majority Of
81 least sixteen IN favor OF the treaty IN the
lower house OF the Colombian Congress. while
sn the Senate the friends Of the canal number
only eight out of twenty-four. with three seats
vacant
Dr. Herran received from Bogota last night
q cable dispatch dated August % The dispatch
related entirely TO routine matters however
and contained no hint OF the reported withdraw
al OF the representatives from the Department OF
Panama Fer this reason, and also because the
report seems to have originated at Panama, DR..
Herran discredits It He is quite willing to ad-
nit. though. that the withdrawal Of the Panama
delegation would be a serious ~ not fatal
blow to the treaty. r. indeed, 81 did not indi-
cate the initial step in the secession OF Panama
from the United States Of Colombia
In this connection the opinion Is expressed that
Panama might separate herself from the BosotA
Government and obtain recognition OF her N
dependence with. perhaps, very little oifncuI1y'
because OF her geographical position Inc ciS
Of Panama is. so far as regards popuiauoh'
practically the whole state OF Panama. ano is
isolated from the rest OF Colombia by almost
inaccessible mountain ranges In the last reVo-
luton. two thousand insurgents held Panama
arafust practically the entire army OF eighy
thousand trained soldiers for more than year
because OF the impossibility OF getting the gov
eminent forces on the isrhmus
Another factor which would undoubtedly play
an ir7portaut part IN any attempt on the PARK O.
Panama TO separate from The union OF STATES
would be the treaty right OF this government
20 seize the Panama railroad for the purpose o.
,rs,irlng traffic The possession by the United
STATES OF the railroad across the lsthmus at the
same tfrne the entire population Of Panama was
making an effort 70 establish Independence 10
she ed that the United states might build the
canal would create a blockade against attack
1,roduce a prolonged tieup. and hnaily resU'"
q Is predicted. IN the recognition OF Panama os
.n6ependent This. il is declared. is enc way 70
get the canal constructed. il would not De tne
FIRST time the United statec has seized the
Panama railroad. precedents for WHICH nave
been established on several occasions
Aside from this perhaps somewhat remote
Washington a more or less staEnant aspect
The lack OF vigorous executive 20 handle the
situation is nourned here. President daTIo-
min is regarded IS altogether too 'sa1e. man
@or the present crisis. Re IL said 10 lack force
ana 70 be governed in al his actions ~ d most
exasperating tangle OF red tape. -,
~ Herran sent his government a iolih
cable dispatch last night, in accordance Win
ais usual custom OF keeping Bogota fully m
formed concerning official and public opinion ia
his country regarding the treaty NEGOTIATIONS
Ne also made special request for details OF the
situation. he does not believe that his govern
7r,ent is keeping him in the dark regarding TIE
r,~oer-ess OF the Congressional action TOT any
ereeial reason but admits that Il might be bet
-er y his aazices were more frequent sr.d e&-
illicit Should he receive word that rathcat' on
IS rrobah be he would Immediately. without tur-
-rer instruction apply 20 the state DepaI 'lneIll
FOR an extension OF time for the exchange OF
--etf6cations In this event he would be abie
70 present good ard sufficient reasons Tor such
extension and believes that there would De 70
feeitaucv on the Part OF either the STATE De
-a~trnent or the Senate TO negotiate ana ap-
prove protocol granting such extension
should no such encouraging aoNlces be re-
cefve5 before the time fixed Tor the eEcnanse
az rafffcations September =, is reached. ne
VIII make no move for an extension WITHOUT
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