The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-01-24
The Agreement With Colon
bia as to the Canal.
The CABINET CONVENES
In Addition to The Canal il Discusses the Vene.
zu,lan Situation, Antitrust legsIa-
lion and Appointments in the
South.
(By the Associated Press.A

Washington, d. c., Jan. 23-Today's
meeting of the Cabinet was one of the
most important held in several weeks
All of the members of the Cabinet were
present, Secretary Hay leaving his home
for the first time in several DAYS to at
tend the meeting. He presented a draft
of the Panama Canal Treaty signed last
evening. 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 he
paid Colombia for the right of way of
the canal This government proposed
an annuity of $4,000, while Colombia
demanded $3.50 coo. The Colombian gov
ernments demand was based, it is said,
upon the ascertained returns from the
Panama Railroad Company in port duties,
etc. which Colombia did not desire to
have reduced. During the several months
Oh negotiations, Colombia agreed to all
points in the treaty proposed by the Uni
ted States with the exception of the an
nuity. That has been the point of diff
ference for many weeks and at one time
it threatened to break off negotiations
entirely. Secretary Hay communicated
directly with the Colombian government,
intimatirg that some agreement must
be reached soon as the United States
desired to enter upon the construction of
the canal. if it were to be constructed
by the Panama route. For several days
active efforts have been making to
cure an q agreement but not until yester-
day were they successful. The Colombian
government. then, through Mr.. Herran
tho Charge D'Affaires here, agreed to &c
cCpt an annuity of $3.50 900.
All other points than this one of money
compensation remains as they stood in
the original draft of the treaty, and
are completely satisfactory to the United
States government. The United States
will have control of the canal prac-
tically in perpetuty, as required by the
Srooner Act, this result having been at
tanned by the adoption of plan for
a lease for one hundred years, renew
able AZ the pleasure of the United States
and Colombia having nothing TO say
about the extension. The matters of
police and judicial control are settled by
a scheme of action, although it especially
is assured that no citizen of the United
states will be tried by any other than
his own courts. Control of the waters
of the norts Of Colon and Panama is
vested in the United States just as far
as may be necessary 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 duties on vessels passing the canal
arc to 30 to the United States, by way
of Offset for the annuity payments. The
treaty will be ratified
The Venezuelan situation was discussed
at length. but it can be said by au-
thority that no change in the attitude
OF the United States is in contemplation
at this time. This government will con-
tinue its policy of Sitting tight. The
tombardment by the German warships of
Fort San Carlos is regretted sincerity by
officials of the administration, because
of their apprehension that it may COM
plcate seriously the pending negotiations
between Minister Bowen, as the repre-
sentative of Venezuela, and the represen-
tstives of the powers. However, while
the administration regards the lombard
mcnt q S unwarranted the United States
has no intention of taking official cog
p;zancc of it.
Some consideration was given to the
proposed antitrust legislation now pend
that the impression prevailed in some