Arizona republican., 1903-01-26
The Canal Treaty signed.


 After prolonged negotiations. Presl- dent Roosevelt and Secretary Hay have completed canal treaty with the re- public of Colombia, announcement or which was made Friday. A great fund of patience was required to enable the president and MT. Hay to carry the te- dious business to a successful conciu- sion, so many were the bubbles inter- posed by Colombia, and so short-sight- ed and greedy were her representatives. Men with less patience would nave broken off negotiations long ago and re sured consideration of the Nicaragua1 route.
 The greatest obstacle for some time has been the price asked by Colombia as cash payment and as annual rental for the strip of territory along each side of the canal right of way. As the sen ate Saturday evening voted to make the terms of the treaty public, the country will be able quickly to form q judgment as to the merits of the con- tract, but in any event everybody will take it for granted that the adminis- traitor has guarded American inter ests and made the best bargain possi- ble. It is understood that the lease" Of the territory embraced by the canal right of way is in effect a cession in perpetuity. The treaty was negotiated in conformity with a law enacted in June last. of which Senator Spooner of Wisconsin was the author, which pre- scribed certain of the terms regarding the acquisition of the strip of land for the canal. etc, and Section ? of which reads:
 That the president is hereby au- thorized to acquire from the republic of Colombia. for and on behalf of the United States, upon such terms as he may deem reasonable, perpetual control of a strip of land, the territory of the republic of Colombia not less than six miles in width, extending from the Car ibbean sea to the Pacific ocean. and the right to use and dispose of the waters thereon, and to excavate. construct and to perpetuaIly maintain, operate and protect thereon a canal of such depth
 
 passage of ships of the greatest ton mage and draught now in use from the Caribbean sea to the Pacific ocean, which control shall include the right to perpetually maintain and operate tine Panama railroad, if the ownership thereof, or Q controlling interest there in, shall have been acquired by the United States, and also jurisdiction over said strip and the ports at the ends thereof, to make such police and sani- tary rules and regulations as shall be necessary to preserve order and to pre- serve the public health thereon, and to establish such judicial tribunals as shall be necessary to enforce such rules and regulations. The president may ac- quire such additional territory and rights from Colombia as in his judg- ment will facilitate the general pur pose thereof ".
 The signing of this treaty really marks an epoch in the history of the United States. If the ratification of the senate is obtained, the construction of the canal will certainly follow, as all preliminaries have been completed for the payment of forty millions of dol lars IO the GdHdIIld CdIldl COlnpdHy IOI it's rights. The chief danger is that ratification may fail. The obstruction ists who are refusing to permit the statehood bill to reach a vote may work irreparable injury to the great canal project Should the present treaty with Colombia fall through 1t is very doubt full whether another could be negotiated by the American government. It is known that German capitalists stand ready, backed by the German govern ment to take over the enterprise. and the vulnerability of South American statesmen warrants a fear that it would not be we'll to subject them too severely to the temptation of German brfbp9