The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-24
United States Proposed an Annuity Of
Only 100000, hut Raised the sum
in Return for Port Dues.
TREATY SENT TO SENATE
AFTER BEING DISCUSSED AND AP-
PROVED BY THE CABINET.
This Country to Practically Control
the Canal i'm Perpetuity Through
1OO-Year Leases.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-To-day's meet
ing of the Cabinet was one of the most i'm
portant 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 a draft Of the
Panama canal treaty signed last evening
and both the President and his associates
In the Cabinet expressed satisfaction with
the results achieved through the long and
difficult negotiations.
The treaty is identical with that drawn by
this government several months ago. and
at that time submitted 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
government proposed an annuity of 100000,
while Colombia demanded s650,O00. The
Colombian governments demand was
based, 1t is stated, upon the ascertained re-
turns 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 diff
ference for many weeks and at one time 1t
threatened to break off negotiations en-
tirely. The Colombian government finally.
through Mr.. Herran. the charge daffaires
here, agreed to accept an annuity Of $780,
900. This was entirely satisfactory to the
President and Secretary Hay and while
it is larger amount than was offered at
first, it is believed by administration off,
Gals that the Senate undoubtedly will ac-
cept the figure named in the treaty, par
ticularly after it is made clear that a
lesser amount would deprive Colombia of
income which she is now actually receiving.
All other points than this one of money
compensation remain they stood in the
original draft of the treaty and are COM
pletely satisfactory to the United States
government. The United States will have
control of the canal practically in per-
petuity as required by the Spooner act, this
result having been attained by the adoption
of a plan for lease for 100 years, renew
able at the pleasure of the United States,
and Colombia having nothing to say about
the extension. The matters of police and
judicial control was settled by scheme of
joint action, although it especially is as
sured that no citizen of the United States
will be tried by any other than his own
courts. Control of the waters of the ports
of Colon and Panama is vested in the
United States just far>aS may be neceS-
sary for the complete operation of the canal
and it is assured that our extra territorial
jurisdiction will be unquestioned as to
| waters and streams pertaining to the canal.
All port dues on vessels passing the canal
are to go to the United States by way of
offset for the annuity payments.
| 1t was not Secretary Hays intention to
transmit. the signed treaty to the Senate
to-day, but after the PRESIDE 1T and the
discussed /
reached that it would be advisable to send
| 1T to the Senate at the earliest possible
moment. The formal letter of transmittal
therefore, was prepared at once and late
! this afternoon the treaty was sent to the
Senate. The President and members OF
the Cabinet are confident the treaty will
be ratified at a reasonably early date with
out encountering serious opposition.
| The Venezuelan question also was dis.
cussed by the Cabinet. and some considera-
ton was given to the PROPOSED antitrust
legislation now pending in Congress. Re-
| gret was expressed that the impression pre-.
vailed in some quarters that the bill re-
ported to the House from the judiciary
| committee was an administration meas.
ure.'' 1t is made clear that it is not an ad.
ministration measure and does not repre-
sent entirely the views of the administra-
| ton on what antitrust legislation should
be enacted by this Congress. 1t can be-
said to be the hope of President Roose
welt and his Cabinet that antitrust legisla.
ton along the lines Indicated by Attorney
General Knox in the bill which he sub
mitted to the House judiciary committee
may be enacted at this session.
| Questions of policy regarding appoint
ments in the South also were discussed by
| the Cabinet. The administration has beer
considering the advisability of the issu
| ance of an order regarding fitness of cand
dates for office and the President talked tn,
matter over with his advisers to-day L
was decided, however. not to promulgat,
any official pronunciamento of that sort.