The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-13
Panama Canal May BE Abandoned and
Negotiations Opened with Mica.
ragua and Costa Rica.
ATTITUDE OF GENERAL REYES
A NATTER OF SPECULATION AMONG
WASHINGTON OFFICIALS.
Acting President OF Colombia Has
Been ON Both Sides of the Cues.
tion-CrOmwells Statement.

WASHINGTON. May 12.-Dr. Thomas
Herran, Colombian charge daffaires here,
said to-day that he had not been advised
by his government that President Marro-
quin had resigned as reported In dispatches
from Panama. There is some dispute as
to the title of General Reyes to the posi-
ton of "designado" Che one designated
by Congress to succeed to the presidency in
the event of the death or incapacity of
the President). Following the "designado
members of the Cabinet in such order as
Congress may dictate succeed, then COVER
nors of the States.
According to the latest designation by
Congress the minister for the government
would follow General Reyes. There is a
general law in Colombia which provides
that no officer of the government shall re-
linquish his office until a successor is
elected and qualified and it is assumed
here that General Reyes. the last person
designated by Congress, holds to the title
of "designado' under the law. although
the last Congress failed to redesignate him.
The attitude which General Reyes will
assume towards the pending canal treaty
is a matter of anxious speculation by the
officials here. He has been recorded on
both sides of the question for and against
ratification and no one knows how he
now stands. 1t is held here that the call
issued by President Marroquin for the
special session of Congress, June 90 will
hold good regardless of any change in the
administration just as 1t would in the
United States, SO that the attitude Of
the Congress and the Colombian admins
tration would probably be very soon dis
closed That fact gives comfort to the
officials here. Most of all they dread delay.
If it shall appear shortly that the Colon
bian government is unwilling to consum-
mate the treaty, or is disposed to defer
final action beyond the reasonable time
mentioned in the Spooner act, the State
Department will at once endeavor to re-
open negotiations with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica with a view to securing con-
troll Of the alternate route for a canal
through those countries. In fact Secre-
tary Hay has already talked with Senior
Corea. the Nicaraguan minister, and Sem
ator Calvo, the minister from Costa Rica.
that If they are resumed it will be upon the
distinct understanding that the United
States government definitely aba andons the
Panama route. So much i'll feeling was
excited in Nicaragua and Costa Rica by
the dropping of the Nicaragua route after
the protocols had been drawn looking to
us aCQulSltlOE lIdl tile IeSlQell ministers
of the two countries here very loath
to take up the subject again without an
express agreement that they, are not to be
used TO club the Colombian government
into terms. The officials here, however,
feel confident that II will not be necessary
to resort again to the Nicaraguan route
for they believe the present difficulties in
the Panama negotiations are solely at
tributable to the efforts on the part of
the Colombians to make the most of the
opportunity TO induce the Panama COM
pany 10 divide with II some part Of the
$4o.0Oo.ooo to be received from the United
States.
William Nelson Cromwell. general coun-
sci Of the new Panama Canal Company. to-
day made public statement regarding
current reports affecting the company, In
cluding that emanating from Panama that
the company had offered the Colombian
government 81, 900 OF the $40.o00.000 the
company Is to receive from the United
States The statement Ia as follows: The
new Panama Canal Company has not made
a proposal TO pay 81, 10000 mo-. any srm
whatever to the Colombian government.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 COL %