New-York tribune., 1903-01-14
ASKS HAGUE DECISION.
COLONBT.fS PROPOSAL.
Plan for Settling Canal Rental Re
jected IN Washington.
Ipr TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l


Washington. Jan. 13.-Colomhia has offered TO
leave to The Hague tribunal the sole stumbling
block to the canal treaty. the Vexed question or
annual rental. The United States. however, IN
sists on a definite and final settlement now
The Colombian proposition based on a
state - disagreement already described with
great detail in The Tribune. After every other
point in the treaty had been settled. the wide
divergence in the ideas Of the representatives of
the TWO countries in regard to the size of the pro-
posed annuity threatened and still threatens to
defeat all the efforts OF the negotiators. When
-he Colombian Government discovered that the
demand for an annuity Of 100000 was not like
y to be granted the proposition was maoe
through the regular diplomatic channel that the
treaty so far as it had been agreed upon should
be signed. while the question Of annuity, which
would not in any case arise for ten years, should
be referred TO The Hague tribunal for proper
estimate Of Colomba's remuneration
This Colombian offer is held to be consistent
with the original terms Of the protocol covering
the points OF a proposed treaty presented by the
Colombian Minister this protocol providing that
after fourteen years the United States should
in addition to the S7.eo0ooo paid by it as a
lump sum. or bonus. pay fair and reason
able annual sum; at the close of each period
of one hundred years this annuity should pe
fixed in accordance with the existing value OF
the canal: but if the representatives or Coiom-
F,ia and The United States on meeting, two years
before the expiration Of a century period
should fail TO agree upon the size of annuity,
then the matter should be referred TO high
commission consisting of two representatives
from each nation and the president of The
F5ag11e tribunal, who should also be president
Of the high commission Now Colombia mas
proposed that, instead of wasting further time
in arguing the matter of an annuity, the re-
rnainder Of the treaty, TO which both nations
have through their representatives signihed
their assent, be signed, and, since the terms Oh
the new treaty provide that the annuity snaIl
begir ten years after the ratification OF the
treaty. that eight years after the treaty goes
into effect the question Of annuity be referred TO
The Hague for final adjustment, the two ma
tfons of course binding themselves TO accept
the decision Of that tribunal on the subject
The Colombian offer to allow the matter to
GO 70 The Hague is regarded as a signlncan1
tribute to the Importance that is being gradu-
ally conceded TO The Hague tribunal, particu-
la,ly in South America The Colombian posi-
tion may be summarized as follows
Easing their claim for annuity on an alleged
income amounting TO 100000, they declare
that they are willing 10 submit their claim to
The Hague and 10 show proof there that they
sre receiring this annual income, or to accept
whatever. they can prove. They are convinced
that after the Americans have taken hold IN
Panama they viii discover that the Colombian
claim IS reasonable and justified by the receipts
which viii accrue 10 the owners OF the canal
franchise: that is. that the United States win
receive wla- Colombia is now receiving and VIII
CO aseGJelIly ne able 10 pay COLOMBIA WflaI she
now demands without having TO ask Congress
for an additional appropriation to pay the an
nuity The refusal of this country to grant
This request leaves The negotiations in the same
unfinished condition which has existed for over
month and there is not the slightest indication
at present Of agreement
The failure of this proposal TO secure the con-
S-nt Of Secretary Hay and the protracted delay
Of The Colombian Government in replying TO the
message sent by the Colombian representative
here and containing the terms offered by this
rove-nmen1-whicn as The Tribune has lready
announced. amounted to an annuity Of SloOOvo-
leads to the conclusion that the prospects of
ratification of a canal treaty at the present ses-
sion Of Congress exceedingly bad Between
The 100000 offered by this country and the
SG0aOIO asked by the Colombians, yawns an
sbvss which there seems little likelihood of
bridging. except at The Hague.