The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-08-31
The Canal Outlook.

The Canal Outlook.
The fate of the Panama canal
seems. according to the latest adNlces
from Bogota to hinge upon the posi-
bility of an amendment to the conStl-
tuition of Colombia being expeditions
" adopted or made. In this country
il would be impossible to affect such
a change in the constitution within
the necessary time, even were IL 10
meet the approval OF all elements OF
the people; but they manage things
differently in the Spanish-Amerlcan
republics.
This is not said in a spirit OF ad-
verse criticism, but it is mere state
ment of fact The constitution OF
what is now the republic OF Colombia
has been changed many times IN the
past and it is easy to conceive that
when the proposed amendment Is OF
so great Importance to the material
welfare of the country, some way VIII
be found to secure it's incorporation
into the fundamental law of the lana
in a way that will meet the approval
of the forces that control.
That country has had, since 1890,
no less than seven distinct constltu-
lions. The old Colombian Union. es-
tablished by Bolivar. was later re
solved into three separate republics,
one of these New Granada. writer
in The Boston Herald, in presenting
an epitome Of the constitutional his
tory of the republic, shows that III
1861 the sixth distinct constitution
was adopted, the republic under II
becoming the United States OF Colom-
bia During the succeeding twenty
TWO wears the country was overturned
by revolution no less that eleven
times, but the constitution stood nom
inallv intact In 1885 the present con
stitution was adopted and the country
became the Republic OF COLOMBIA.
This was the result of the movement
for a more centralized form OF gov
eminent. Before that time there had
been much contention over the ques-
ton of the sovereignty of the different
states but this constitution OF 1889
contains a specific denial OF the SOY
ereignty of the states. 1t is interest
ing in this connection to note that
Panama was one of the two states
which held out against this establish
ment of the centralized government
and which, i'll consequence, found
themselves reduced to something very
like territorial dependencies, govern
ed by officials appointed by the presi-
dent
Under this constitution the terri
tory of the republic cannot be ceded
nor can the sovereignty over any por-
ton of it be transferred to any other
government. It is this provision
which runs counter to that feature OF
the canal treaty under which 1t is pro-
posed to cede the sovereignty over
the canal strip to the government of
the United States. In some way this
constitution must be changed before
the treaty provisions as they stand
could become effective.
Mr.. Archibald r. Colquhoun eX-
plains. in an article in The Outlook,
the different classes of people in Co
lombia who are opposing the treaty
as it was negotiated and ratified by
the United States senate. He divides
them into seven classes, as follows:
I. Those who honestly believe that the
treaty violates the Colombian constitution
and that adherence to the principle OF the
constitution is OF more national lnpor-
lance than any material gain.
Q Those who give reason No. for OPP
posing the treaty, but whose real motive
is to make political capital by accusing
the government of selling strip OF terri
tory. in violation of the sacred word OF
the constitution" for their own personal
advantage This position is taken by
many liberals looking for an opportunity
to embarrass the government, and by
many factions of the government party
itself who wish to delay fatlfcatlon Tor
reasons given in No. 3.
3 Those of the government party who
wish to delay ratification until they them
selves are in office, or can obtain prefer
ment which will help them to n share of
the money to be paid by the United
States.
a Those who believe that the United
States will pay more than has been offer
ed. especially if ratification is withheld
for a time while others do not really be-
lievf. this Hse il as argument to induce
delay.
5 Those who believe that the So 600 600
paid in lump sum will be at once dis
sipated either by dishonesty or by pay
,nent OF debts, and that the country will
prefer an annual payment, even if it were
q smaller amount than the lump sum
offered.
G Those citizens of the department Of
Panama who believe that. the canal being
situated in their department, the money
should be handed over to them. and who
will oppose the ratification until an ar
raneement is made as to the division of
spoiis Some are even anxious to secede