Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-27
THE CANAL TREATY
Morgan Resolution to Be Dis
cussed Tomorrow.
WHAT IT CALLS FOR
NOT EXPECTED TO DETER SENATE
FROM RATIFICATION.
Possible Results From Negotiating the
Treaty With Present Govern
ment Of Colombia.
WHAT IT CALLS FOR

ate in any way today, nor was any matter
that relates to it. Senator Morgan's resolu-
ton Of yesterday has lain dormant in the
files of the Senate committee on foreign re-
lations but tomorrow morning 1t is ex-
pected it will be the subject for very full
discussion by the committee.
That resolution calls upon the President
for information concerning the credentials
Of Minister Herran Of Colombia, and also
for information regarding the legal status of
the head Of the Colombian govern
ment at present. In a general way
many senators do not believe that the
points that Senator Morgan has made
will deter the Senate in any respect
in the ratification Of the treaty with Colon
bia. They say that the points made in re-
lation to the credentials Of the minister and
the legal status of the president of Co.
lombia are Of such nature that this gov
ernment could not go back of the returns"
They recognize the present government Of
Colombia and they recognize the right of
Minister Herran to have made the treaty
that has been concluded between the United
States and Colombia.
Senator Morgan's Stand.
While the information called for by Sen
ator Morgan to this extent Is npt liable to
interfere with the vote Of the Senate on
the treaty, it will give rise to a great many
matters Of interest concerning Colombia
and it's government. 1t is understood that
Senator Morgan has taken a stand that our
relations with the Colombian government
as carried on in the negotiations of this
treaty are Of a kind that is not creditable
to great and powerful nation, and In the
future is apt to embroil Colombia in revo-
lutionary movements.
1t Is believed that Senator Morgan will
ip,nn onf fon ntS
ing the manner In which the treaty was
negotiated, which,it is understood, he con-
S1ders OF such nature as to really nullify
the effect of that instrument. 1t is claimed
that Minister Herran received his instruc-
tions by cable, and that in the negotiations
OF treaty the power or authorization of
the minister to agree to certain stipulated
things Is Of as great interest to the gov
ernment with which he is dealing as are
his credentials themselves. 1t Is to be
questioned whether these cable instructions
have been authentic, whether they came
from the authorized head of the govern
ment. and whether the instructions they
contained were correctly transmitted.
But more important than that question is
one In relation to the power Of the govern
ment itself to make such treaty as that
involving the rights given the United States
over the route at Panama. The constitution
Of Colombia provides that by means of its
laws the congress Of that country shall
have the authority to authorize the govern
ALLEVIATE national property, and SO forth. 1t
rests upon Congress to provide the national
revenues and to determine the expenses Of
the administration.
Power Of President Of Colombia.
In view of these facts it will be called in
question whether the president Of Colombia,
under the constitution. would have right
to make the treaty that has been negotiated
with the United States. even though this
treaty Is later to come before the congress
for approval or rejection
1t is stated at the Capitol by men who
were very intimate with Minister Concha
OF Colombia. that the reason he would not
proceed further than he did in the negotia-
ton OF the treaty was because he did not
oelleve he had. under the constitution Of his
country. the right to do So
The main point to be decided by the COM
mlttee on foreign relations tomorrow is
whether they will report Senator Morgan's
resolution favorably back to the Senate in
order that 1t may be passed and go to the
PRESIDENT TO call forth the information de-
sired by Mr.. Morgan. The objection to this
course that 1t Is understood will be urged
by senators who are anxious to see the
treaty ratified is that 1t will cause unnec-
essary delay. 1t is not known Just how
long 1t would take the President to salts
1actorily secure information bearing on
this matter, and whether or not such in
formation Is available at the State Depart
ileul. II Seems quite certain at this time
that strong effort will be made against
the favorable reporting Of the resolution
ON the ground that 1t might jeopardize the
passage of the treaty merely by reason of
the delay.
The Shares Owned by Colombia.
The moral ground taken by Senator Nor
gan In this matter is that the United States
in becoming party to treaty, the valid
ity Of which may be questioned after Co.
lombia has been reduced to an orderly con-
dition, may really be a cause Of exciting
disorder in that country.
Another point that is made is that in the
first article Of the treaty 1t is stipulated
that Colombia owns stock in the new Pan
anna Caral Company to the extent of
100000 francs, which stock she will ex-
pect to have paid for at par. No separate
appropriation is now available for that pur-
pose, and the matter Of the United States
government itself putting up 5000. 600
francs to make good the stock has not been
discussed, and it is not likely that such a
proposition would be entertained. 1t is
said that the alternative would be for Co.
lombia to look to the United States to see
that the new Panama Canal COMPANY
makes that stock good and that from the
$4O,OOO,OO0 voted to pay the new Panama
Canal Company for its property one mil
lion must be deducted to make this stock
good in the hands Of the Colombian gov
ernment. This payment is referred to by
some people as of the nature of bribe by
which Colombia gets an additional million.