The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-03-27
TIE PANAMA CANAL WINS.
Senate Acts Favorably on Conven-
ton for Construction of the
Isthmian Route.
ONLY FIVE VOTES CAST IN THE NEGATIVE
No Obstac Gle Now to Early beginning
of the Work-Approval by Colom-
bia is Expected Mt Once-Treaty
Gives the United States Exclusive
Rights for 100 Years.

Washington, March 1s.-With only
FIVE votes against it the Panama canal
treaty was ratified by the senate late
yesterday afternoon. Seventy-eight
senator's wer present when the vote
was taken, and all, with the exception
of Daniel and Martin, of Virginia,
Morgan and Pettus, of Alabama, and
Teller, of Colorado, went on record in
favor of the Panama canal. OF the. 10
absentees several republicans could
not secNre pairs because of the numer-
ical weakness of the opposition.
Discussed at Length.
The Panama canal treaty between
the United States and Columbia was
signed at Washington on January %.
1908. On January % it a sent to
the president and by him sent to the
senate on the same date. 1t was re-
ferred to the committee on foreign
relations on the same day and reported
back February 3. The treaty was dis
cussed at some length during the last
congress. On March 5, the day the
special session of the senate convened,
the treaty was again referred to the
committee on foreign relations, and
on March 9 was again reported to the
senate, since which time it has been
under discussion.
Provisions of treaty.
The treaty gives the United States
exclusive rights for 100 years, renew
able at the option of the United States,
to complete the Panama canal, main
tain, protect and operate it. 1t gives
to the United States the use of a one
of territory three miles wide on each
side of the canal. The United States
recognizes the sovereignty Of Colon
bia over the isthmus. Colombia agrees
not to cede or lease naval stations OF
military posts within the department
of Panama to any foreign government.
The treaty relieves the canal of
taxes of any kind, permits immigra-
ton of workmcn, authorizes the Unit
ed States to preserve order on the
canal and railroad, gives Colombia the
right of free transportation for its
vessels, wipes out all anterior conces-
sions and transfers to the United
States Colombia's interest in the new
Panama Canal company and in the
Panama railroad.
Method of Defense.
Colombia agrees to provide armed
for the protection of the canal
If necessary, and in the event of her
inability to do so, the United States
is authorized to employ such forces
as may be necessary.
The United States agrees to begin
the main works within two years, and
to open the canal for passage within
years.
For the rights and privileges
secured by the treaty the United
agrees to pay Colombia 100000
300 in gold when ra~tifications of the
are exchanged and $250,0O0 an
after the first nine years.
Up to Colombia.
Both houses of Colombian congress
must by a majority vote taken in their
separate chambers adopt the treaty
the supreme law before the United
can begin active operations on
the canal. The Colombian congress
will meet between April 1 and Is.
There are % senator's and 40 repre-
sentatives. The Colombian admins
is using its best efforts to
the ratification of the treaty,
out it is much handicapped.
Walker to Head Comnlission.
President Roosevelt will be pre-
pared to appoint a commission and
thus inaugurate the work of actual
construction as soon as the ratifca-
lions are exchanged. Before he
caves for the west he will have de- !
,ided upon the personnel of the COM
which viii be headed by
Rear Admiral Walker, who has more
personal knowledge Of the engineer
ng problems involved than any other
nan in the government service.
Will Open raves.
Philadelphia, March 17.-Thirty-
graves in Philadelnhia. cemeteries |