Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-09-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Alexandra Gazette'I
Washington, d. G., Sept. Z.


Recent dispatches from Bogota, the
capital of Colombia, are to the effect
that considerable alarm has been created
there by the rumors of possible revo-
linton on the Isthmus Of Panama in
case the canal treaty is not acted upon
favorably. The State Of Panama is one
of the most productive sources OF reve-
nue. possessed by Colombia, and the fear
of losing entire sovereignty over it,
through the establishment of a republic
on the isthmus, while objecting to the
divided sovereignty proposed in the
canal treaty, it is believed may have the
effect of inducing the BogOta Congress
TO reconsider its recent action in "disaE-
proving" the convention with the
United States. There are fifteen
days yet remaining in which the
Colombian Congress may act. The
treaty will expire by limitation Sep
ember %. The United States insists
it will not accept any modification
of the treaty, and Panama threatens to
secede unless the treaty is approved.
Under the circumstances it is considered
likely that shortly before the time limit
expires the Congress will ratify the
treaty as 1t stands rather than risk the
chance of losing everything. 1t is I'M
derstood that Colombia has asked the
company to pay $40, 900, 900 out of S4O,-
600 600, which is the purchase price Of
the canal, and there is little doubt that
if the company would consent to be thus
"held up" the treaty would be ratified
forthwith. As stated, however, both the
United States government and the canal
company have definitely refused to be-
come parties to such deal. MIR. Her
ran this morning received a dispatch
from Senior Nuts, governor of Panama,
in response to the inquiry he sent yes
terday regarding the reported withdrawal
of the representatives of the isthmus
from the session of the Congress at Bo-
gotta. The dispatch reads
Panama, Sept. 7, 1908.
Colombian Minister, Washington;
Nothing is known here regarding
withdrawal from Congress of the Panama
delegation. / have been informed that
Senator Obaldia has been appointed gov
ernor, and he is on his way with Repre-
sentative Fabrega. GOVERNOR.
Senator Obaldia, the newly appointed
governor of Panama, is native of the
isthmus, and his selection for this i'm
portant post at this time is believed to
be a recognition of the complaint of the
people of Panama that strangers have
always been chosen for the high Offices
on the isthmus. 1t is supposed that
Representative Fabrega, who is also a
native of the isthmus, has been appoint
ed to some civil position there, although
the dispatch does not indicate what it is.
The departure of these two men from
Bogota for their new post Of duty was
evidently what gave rise to the report
that all of the isthmiam representatives
in Congress had left, upon which was
based the assumption that they were
about to recede and throw in their lot
with a new republic.
The Navy Department received the
following dispatch from Beirut this
morning from Rear Admiral Cotton,
commanding the European squadron
'fVice Consul Magelssen shot at but I'M
injured. Turkish officials have informed
Consul that four men have been placed
under arrest, because it is suspected that
they attacked the Vice Consul l cabled
Friday afternoon to the American Minis
ter at Constantinople the arrival of the
United States squadron. The American
Minister has nothing to communi-
cate. have strengthened the Ameri-
can representatives position by pro-
nounced recognition of them. The
American Consul and Vice Consul
accompanied me on my call on the
Turkish governor and Turkish gen.
eral and were present at their call on
board the Brooklyn. Turkish officials
very cordial. Turkish admiral is here.
The following Turkish ships are here:
One small gunboat, one armored cruiser
Usual courtesies exchanged. Have con-
fered with consul freely, will confer with
other prominent American citizens Sum
day and next day. 1 shall request full
statement in writing of the situation at
Beirut. Presence of American squadron