The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-31
WANTS MUCH MORE MONEY FOR CANAL. Panama Holding Back Treaty
 for Better Terms COLOMBlA'S NEW SCHEME Company Said to Have Spent Less Than Half the Sum 1t Alleges.
 There Are Hints at
 Collision.
C0LOMBIA'S NEW SCHEME
cor of tba New York World.

Cor, of the New York Worlo-
 Both official and unofficial news reach ing Washington of the canal situation in Colombia leads to a belief, now well grounded, that the Colombian govern ment is preparing to hold up the United States government for more money, and that if the treaty Is ever ratified at all in Bogota 1t will be in an amended form, raising the amount to be paid by the United States to the Colombian govern ment probably from $1o.oOo,ooo to s2ooOO- 0OO
 Should this be the final result American officials will have no further excuse TOT dickering over the discredited route That there are dissatisfaction and disap- pointment over the outlook among high officials here can no longer be denied.
 Almost everything in the shape Of news and opinion which reaches Washington confirms the feeling that Colombia as well as the Panama Canal company pro poses to get all 1t can out of the United States. To the Colombian legislators the game appears to be an open one and they see no reason why the Panama Canal company should get $40,0Oo,oOo for prop erty worth less than half that amount while the Colombian government Is put off with only s1o,Ooo,OOo.
 It Is believed here that some such prop osition as was reported a few days ago was made to the Panama Canal company by Colombian officials, with the hope that the canal company would be willing to make up the amount desired by Colombia. It is pointed out, however, that 1T sucn collusion, amounting to bribery, could be established there would be grave doubt as to the legality of an. exchange of ratinca- tions. At all events, the Colombian gov ernment was led to believe that the Roosevelt administration, which comes up for indorsement next year, would not be willing to countenance any such deal.
 That Colombia holds the whip hand over the Panama Canal company is fully appreciated in Washington, and 1t Is firmly believed that the delay in Bogota is due almost entirely to the question of money, of which that government IS In sore need
 If the treaty should not be ratiheo, Cos lomban officials realize that the cahai franchise and property would In snort time be forfeited to the government by the French company, as there would be no money to continue the work. The gov ernment would then be in a position to sell to the United States, and 1t Is argued that if this government is willing 10 pay the Paris corporation $40, GOO, 1t would be willing to pay Colombia at least $21 ,0OO, 900. the original estimate or the Walker commission as to what the canai property was really worth
 There is also the consideration or the annual payment of $250,0O0 to Colombia. This does not become due from this coun- try under the terms of the treaty Tor nine years after ratification; while the Panama company is paying this amount all the time, and should payments cease the charter becomes forfeited.
 Thus the Colombian government mas at stake at least $11.O00,0OO which 1t looks upon as direct loss if the treaty IS raul fled in It's present form.
 Tn addition to all this is the annuity of s25O 900 paid by the Panama Railroad com pany, which at the end of sixty-three years becomes the property Of the gov ernment All these considerations lead to the belief here that a game Is being played by Colombia-to get the last possi- ble cent out of the United States-as deep and skillful as that of the Panama Can al company, WHICH ODtdlllcu diiN oSSNPN ed the offer of $40.00O0O0.
 Another piece of news reaching Wash ington bearing on the duplicity of the Panama Canal company is that It's oni- cials have in their reports doubled the real amount of money which has been ex- nended since March 1900. when the Pan ana officials assert that the United States offer was first made. The com pany and the government of Colombia expect the United States to pay for the amount of work done during this period as a matter of good faith and generosity
 II has been asserted that 1000 men were at work on the canal in order to make show of keeping up the operations since the United States offer was made. News from an apparently authoritative source now says that less than half this sum has been expended. and that barely enough work has been done to make 1t apparent that operations were continuing
 This question Is causing officials here some worry, and should the treaty be ratified in Colombia as 1t stands still fur ther delay and dickering would be ne- cessary.
 Great interest Is displayed in the forth coming report of Major William M. Black of the United States Engineer corps, who is now on the isthmus to ob- serve health conditions. It is said by those familiar with the situation along the Panama route that Major Black will ask the President for at least years time to put the territory in good enough sanitary condition to make it safe for American workmen to live there.
 
 ctoIan Haroefa Lenses.