The sun., 1903-11-03
COLOMBIA BEFORE THE WORLD
Discussion Of tho Greed and Graft That
block the Isthmlan Canal.

COLOMBIA BEFORE THE WORLD.
Discussion Of tho Greed and Graft That
Block the Isthmian Canal
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: Private
advices Just at hand show that state OF
perplexing uncertainty exists throughout
Colombia with reference to the cessation OF
canal negotiations with the United states.
With the adjournment OF the Colombian
Congress last week the possibility OF favor
able action on the Hay-Herran treaty was
formally terminated. although President
Marroquin known to be honest and pro
gressiveis said to be anxious to see the
Panama Canal completed by the United
States. 1t is explained that he did al ih
his power 10 cause favorable action by the
Colombian Senate and that he is taxing
steps TO have DR.. Herran arrange new con-
veption with Secretary Hay that might DE
acceptable to the Colombian people.
Reliable information from unbiased sources
pictures a situation in Colombia bordering
upon CONSERVATION. Charges are hurisa
back and forth between individuals ana
groups Of statesmen carrying responsibility
for the refusal to accept the So,ooo,ooo OIL
fered by the United States Government.
But the real explain alton Of the failure to
get a vote. | assume from my acquaintance
with the country, is that the Liberals would
not assist the dominant Conservative party
by voting for treaty that would place
large sum in the hands Of an oligarohy striv-
ing constantly to keep the Liberals out OF
power. The Conservative organization Is
rabid Church party. while the Liberal may
be described as anti-Church, In the sense
that the State should not be governed by the
Church. The cause OF the three years civil
war, waged with medisval cruelty and con-
tinued until the nation was impoverished.
was the Withholding from the anti-Church
party OF the right Of going to the polls. al.
though the country's Constitution patterned
from that Of the United States) provides for
popular elections Intrenched In ofice. the
Church party employed the army to prevent
the holding Of national elections that might
bring their adversaries to power. Although
peace was declared months ago. the Liberals
may have no genuine wish to see financial
sinews come to their rivals. Hence the Hay
Herran convention expired by Limitation.
snd the ss ssek S
bIings Of d.scontept on the Isthmus that may
lead an attempt by the p.oyince OF pa9amst it.nt
nssosists 10 Sedsas WEE slt% washinaten. @ % ''' A
Il is 9 regrettable fact that high standard
Of honor, is not looked for In Colombian poll
pidity enters into the makeup Of majority
Of Colombia s legislators, big and little. The
average Statesman" in our South american G
neiehbor is a CRATER on broad gauge. Con-
sequentiy many Colombans perceived the
dispropOrtion between the so, 100000 offered
for work performed and franchises. and the
proposed compensation to the Bogota Coy
ernment for the transference TO us of the
There is no question, that some of those
to inquire what would happen Il the ~ frenGh eonn
cession with Colombia lapse six years hence
why could not Colombia, then. claim, un-
der forfeiture, everything done on the ish-
Tniia hy French DitQl and negotiate aiTebn
with the United States, with the prospect
q getting the fun $50 So.ooOoooF" these s'hemers
No Intelligent person in Colombo believes esas
n snsrs RS, ohei ii the 1"n %ora d' hs1e
NWfsssaE%ttn Wsy got rS"ss s the Sa
az apd he hen s to + Be sG padF dFbyP Fby se uR e
has been a frequent inquiry In political cir
Gef At Bosota In anY eEena
that precisely this has been unofieially pro-
& ne. xnssa for a tie S
Silently a deal with ths French company
q frendshp with ,hs A%eriSans ,sa f9r nh them
ssyetss Fay and kccha ham mbsau s viii never be per-
imposed impose 70 Upon ennar them BY Colombia IL neso
tiation to which the Government Of the United
States is party, When this is learned py
ing to reopen negotiations upon basis OF
equity and honesty. IT may not be an eS.
travagance for us to increase the payment
to Colombia for concession that will stop
short Of alienation Of territory; but at the
esriest opportunity the South IAN americans re ms
secret squeeze" Of the French, and no a.
plomacy employed In future negotiations that
Ing to predict that before another year passes passes
Colombian emssaries, will swarm in Wash
ington with proposals speedily to reopen
colombias need for cash il more %er urgent urgent
stiles accentuated in many ways. year
delay will be to her an eternity; while to U.S.
planning great and permanent WORK. an
added year is immaterial, ,,
The inspired announcement made perlodl-
cally that IL The United States does not con-
clude terms advantageous to Colombia thai
country will complete the canal on borrowed
meney or induce European capitalists TO do
so, is nonsensical. With the American Gov
csrtaa to construct Eana NO nSnnv in
in a rival enterprise. nor lend to Colombia
for such purpose at any rate of interest. IL
has been said that Sehor Arcinegas, finding
the Colombian Government $4,000. 900 for
it's immediate needs, will go to Europe and
negotiate a loan by .pledgine his conntry,,s
prospective benefit in the Panama Canal
Senator Morgan, that partisan unto ianati-
csm OF the NinarQgunn project, is certain to
get the floor during the special session OF
demanding probably that President Roose-
opening negotiations with Nicaragua and
the n nto
being. FREDERIC COURTLASD PENFiELH.