Waterbury Democrat., 1903-01-24
CABINET HAS TREATY
Favorable End of Negotia-
 tions Gives Pleasure.
THE ANNUITY FIXED AT S25O,OOO.
This Is the only Change Made Tn the Original Draft-Document
 Sent to the Senate For Ratification.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24.-Yester- days meeting of the cabinet was one of the most important held in several weeks. Subjects of great moment were discussed fully, the session continuing for two hours. All the members of the cabinet were present, Secretary Hay leaving his home for the first time in several days to attend the meeting. He presented draft of the Panama canal treaty just signed and both the presi- dent and his associates in the cabinet expressed satisfa ction with the results achieved through the long and difficult negotiations. .ss
 The treaty is identical with that drawn by this government several months ago and at that time submit ted to the Colombian government, with the single exception of the amount of annuity to be paid Colombia for the right of way of the canal. This gov ernment proposed an annuity of $1OO,- 900, while Colombia demanded $65O,- GOO. The Colombian governments de- mand was based, it is stated, upon the ascertained returns from the Panama Railroad company in port dues, etc., which Colombia did not desire to have reduced. During the several months of negotiations Colombia agreed to all points in the treaty proposed by the United States with the exception of the annuity. That has been the point of difference for many weeks, and at one time 1t threatened to break off negotia- tions entirely. Secretary Hay com municated directly with the Colombian government, intimating that some agreement must be reached as soon as the United States desired to enter on the construction of the canal if it was to be constructed by the Panama route. For several days active efforts have been making to secure an agreement. but not until Thursday were they suc- cessful. The Colombian government then, through MT. Herran, the charge d d'affaires here, agreed to accept an an- nuity of S25o,o0o. This was entirely satisfactory to the president and Secre- tary Hay, and while it is a larger amount than was offered at first it is believed by administration officials that the senate undoubtedly will accept the figure named in the treaty, particularly after 1t is made clear that lesser amount would deprive Colombia of in- come which she is now actually re- ceiving.
 All other points than this oI>c of money compensation remain as they stood in the original draft of the treaty and are completely satisfactory to the United States government.
 By the terms of the treaty the, United States agrees to make a cash payment of 10000, GOO in gold to the Colombian government and after the expiration of nine years to pay rental of $2oO,- GOO per year. The lease of the strip Of land to be used for the canal and for canal purposes is practically made per petual, the provision on this point be- ing that the first lease shall be for 100 years and renewable thereafter in terms of 100 years at the pleasure of the United States. The strip is to be ten kilometers or about six miles in width, and over this territory the Unit ed States is given police and sanitary jurisdiction, although it is explicitly specified that Colombia does not sur render sovereignty over it. The United States is to have the privilege of free importation of vessels and material to be used in the construction of the ca nal. It also is given the right to inn prove use and protect harbors at both the Atlantic and Pacific ends of the canal The grant is made exclusive to the United States, and no taxes or rentals are to be charged in addition to the gross sums of $10,000,OO0 cash and $25O,O ,OOO annually. @
 It was not Secretary Hays intention to transmit the signed treaty to the senate yesterday, but after the presi- dent and the cabinet discussed it the 1 conclusion was reached that it would be advisable to send it to the senate at the earliest possible moment. The for mai letter of transmittal, therefore, i was prepared at once, and late in the afternoon the treaty was sent to the senate. The president and members of 1 the cabinet are confident that the | treaty will be ratified at a reasonably | early date without encountering serious opposition. .s The Venezuelan situation was dis
 
 authority that no change in the atti- tude of the United States is in contem- plation at this time. This government l will continue its policy of sitting l tight" The bombardment by the Ger man warships of Fort San Carlos is re- | gretted sincerely by officials of the ad- ministration because of their appre- hensien that it may complicate serious | ly the pending negotiations between Minister Bowen, as the representative | of Venezuela, and the representatives of the powers. However, while the ad- ministrat ton regards the .bombardment | as unwarranted, the United States has no intention of taking official cognf- zance of it.
 Some consideration was. given to the 1 proposed antitrust legislation now pending in congress. Regret was ex- 1 pressed that the impression prevailed in some quarters that the bill reported to the house from the judiciary con- mittee was an administration meas ure." It is made clear that it is not an | administration measure and does not represent entirely the views of the ad- 1 ministration on what antitrust legisla-