The Washington times., 1903-05-14
COLOMBIA SEEKS
MUCH MORE MONEY
Would Pay Debts With
Funds Received for Canal.
DELAY IS so CONSTRUED
Dr.. Herran Offers Another Explanation.
Thinks Opposition Is Growing.
Enterprise Threatened.

The fact is becoming apparent TO off,
cials in Washington that Colombias mo-
tive in antagonizing the Panama Canal
treaty is for the purpose OF increasing
the amount which this Government pur-
poses TO pay for the right Of way across
the isthmus. This sum is SO 1000. 600 down
and $2500O0 a year thereafter Advicss
from Colombia indicate that the treasury
of the country is bankrupt by reason Of
the revolution which has been carried on
spasmodicaIIy for the past three or four
years, and that in order TO recoup IT'S
finances Colombia hopes to obtain a
much larger amount from this Govern
ment than is provided for in the treaty.
Instead of SIC, ,0o0. 900, it is said that CO.
lombia wants at least SIS. 600, 600. IN
other words Colombia hopes to be able
TO hold up this country for large pay
ment, and failing to do 81 intends 70
hold up the treaty
The country is flooded with large is
sue of paper money which is almost
worthless. At times the New York ex-
change has been as high as % ,000-that
is, %, 900 Colombian dollars were re-
quired to purchase goods worth a dollar
in American money. Some time ago the
| issuance OF paper money was suspended,
but it is said that the government has
found ii necessary to set the presses 60
ing again and turn out more OF this
form of currency, which is worth very
little, in order to meet the internal ex-
penses.
Would Balance Their Books.
The foreign debt is said TO reach near
| ly S25, 600. 600. and the interest upon it
has not been paid for several years,
while By reason of the revolution claims
have been piling up to hundreds OF
thousands OF dollars, and practically be-
yond the ability of Colombia TO pay
within many years What would hap
pen in case the claimants demanded
payment is matter of speculation.
One OF the Bogota papers recently re-
ceived here asserts that the Hay-EierraEa
| convention has cost Colombia SIS, ,ooo.-
coo, or rather that Colombia was sold
out too cheaply.
The paper maintains that the United
States does not purpose paying enough
for the land within the canal zone. and
that the loss of the revenues from ths
two ports will be a serious injury to
the government receipts.
Dr. Herran's Views.
The unfavorable view of canal treaty
prospects in Colombia, as conveyed in
mail dispatches TO Dr. Herran, the Co
lombia charge here, is given another
construction by that official as follows:
My information from Bogota is TO the
effect that the opposition TO the canal
treaty IS increasing and organizing
Heretofore il was desultory, but now the
newspapers are taking it up. The ch:Sf
reasons advanced against the treaty are
that Colombian sovereignty will be
sacrificed and the indemnity is insufi-
cient.
Former Revolutionists Lead.
There is undoubtedly some truth in
the report that those formerly in armed
opposition to the government are fore
most in the fight against the treaty.
When the revolution came TO an end last
December. generous terms were granted
the revolutionists. and they are now
again in active participation in civic
they regard with little satisfaction the
acquisition by the government of s10-
600, GOO Anything else which would
strengthen their political opponents
would as readily meet with their op-
position. II is unfortunate that so great
a project as the canal should be thus
hazardcd.
Though the Liberal party in Colom-
bia is in a minority. il is a respect
able minority and its influence is ex-
tended. In certain districts it is the
dominant party. and accordingly con-
trolls votes in congress-
Organizing the Opposition.
The fixing of June 90 for the assem-
bling Of the extra session of the CO.
lombian congress is regarded as aiding
the opposition TO the treaty. as it af-
fords a longer time for organizing the
opponents of the measure. The con-
gres could have been assembled May
20. or ar any other time. Dr. Herran
said and II two months instead OF one
had been given. the chances of favor
able action would probably have been
correspcndingly increased.
D.. Herran yesterday had not receiv-
ed news denying the story of the Reycs
succession to the presidency. but from
the first put no confidence in the report.
Heretofore he has been duly Informed
regarding cabinet changes. and fully ex-
pected similar news had any change
occurred in the highest national office.