The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-26
Allows United States to Do
About as It Pleases.
TO BEGININ TWO YEARS
Must Be Completed Within IA
Years from Beginning.
Must Be Ratified Within Eight
Months from Jan. %.

pubic the Panama canal treaty The
letters of transmittaI of the president
and Secretary Hay We're brief and for
NAL and contained no recommended
tons. Article 1 of the treaty is as fol-
lows:
The government of Coombia author
ICES the new Panama Canal company
to sell and transfer to the United
States its rights, privileges, properties
and concessions. as well as the Pana-
ma railroad and all the shares or part
of the shares Of that company, but the
public lands situated outside of the
zone hereinafter specified now CORE
spending to the concessions to both
said enterprises, shall revert to the re-
public of Colombia, except any prop
erty now owned by or in the possession
of the said companies within Panama
OF Colon, or the ports and terminals
thereof.
But it is understood that Colombia
reserves all its rights to the special
shares in the capital of the new Pana-
ma Canal company, to which reference
is made in article 4 of the contract of
December 10. 1880. which shares shall
be paid their full nominal value at
least; but as such right of Colombia
exists solely in its character of stock
holder in said company, no obligation
assumed by the United States
THE railroad company (and the
United States as owner of the enter
prise) shall be free from the obIiga-
ton imposed by the railroad conces-
sion. excepting as to the payment at
maturity by the railroad company of
the outstanding bonds issued by the
said railroad company
LEASE IS PERPETUAL.
Article II relates to the concession for
constructing the canal and the rights
of this government to the property for
100 years, with the privilege Of having
the lease perpetually renewed.
Article III grants to the United States
a zone of territory ten kilometers
(about six miles) wide. including there
in the necessary auxiliary canals not
exceeding in any case fifteen miles
from the main canal and other works.
together with ten fathoms Of water in
the Bay of Limon in extension of the
canal, and at least three marine miles
from mean low water mark from each
terminus of the canal into the Carib-
bean sea and the Paclfica0cean, respec-
lively The article continues:
$50 far as necessary fer the construc-
ton, maintenance and operation of the
canal, the United States shall have the
small islands in the Bay of Panama
named Perico, Naos, Culebra and
Flamenco, but the same shall not be
construed as being within the zone
herein defined nor governed by the spe-
cial provisions applicable to the same.
This grant shall in no manner in
validate the titles or rights of private
IandhoIders in the said zone of territory.
nor shall It interfere with the rights of
way over the public roads of the de-
partment; provided. however. that moth
ing herein contained shall operate to di-
minish, impair or restrict the rights else
where herein granted to the United
States.
of Panama and Colon, except so far as
lands and other property therein are
now owned by or in possession Of the
said canal company or the said rail-
road company, but all the stipulations
contained in article 80 of the treaty of
1846-4S between the contracting parties
shall continue and apply in full force
to the cities of Panama and Colon, and
to the accessory community lands and
other property within the said zone, and
the territory thereon shall be neutral
territory, and the United States shall
continue to guarantee the neutrality
thereof and the sovereignty of Colombia
thereover, in conformity with the above
mentioned article 80 of said treaty.
In furtherance of this last provision
there shall be created a joint commits
sion by the governments Of Colombia
and the United States, that shall estab-
lish and enforce sanitary and police
regulations.
COLOMBIA SOVEREIGNTY.
Article IN-The rights and privileges
1 granted to the United States BY the
/ terms of this convention shall not affect
the sovereignty of the republic of Col
ombia over the territory within whose
/ boundaries such rights and privileges
I are to be exercised
The United States freely acknow1-
edges and recognizes this sovereignty
| and disavows any intention to impair
4 it in any way whatever, or to increase
/ its territory at the expense of Colombia
.-4rr+ a1-1e
trail or South America. but, on the con-
/ trary, It desires to strengthen the power
of the republics on this continent, and
( to promote, develop and maintain their
prosperity and independence"
/ Article V-The republic of Colombia
authorizes the United States to con-
struct and maintain at each entrance
/ and terminus of the proposed canal q
port for vessels using the same, with
suitable lighthouses and other aids &c
navigation. but the United States Is
I authorized to use and occupy within the
limits Of the zone hxed by this cOnven-
I ton such parts of the coast line and OF
4 the lands and islands adjacent thereto
as are necessary for this purpose, in
/ Guiding the construction and main
tenance Of breakwaters, dykes, jetties
entertainments, docks and other appro-
pirate works, and the United States IN
! dertakes the construction and main
/ tenance of such works and will bear al
the expense thereof. The ports wher
established are declared free and theil
demarcations shall be clearly defined.
SANITARY MEASURES
ITO give effect to this article. tn
United States viii give special atten
ton and care to the maintenance 0
works for drainage, sanitary ans
healthfu1 purposes along the line of tn
canal and its dependencies, in order t,
prevent the invasion of epidennics or 0
securing their prompt suppression
should they appear With this end i
view. the United States viii organic
hospitals along the line, and win suit
ably supply the towns OF Panama an
Colon with the necessary aqueducts ant
drainage works. in order to proven
their becoming centers OF infection d
account of their proximity to the canal
THE government of Colombia will Sc
cure for the United States or it's nomi
nees the lands and rights that may b
required in the towns Of Panama an
Colon to effect the improvements abox