Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-18
GENERAL POINTERS
Which Show That United States Alone
Will Control That Canal.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE state de-
partment, today, received an undated
cablegram from United States Consul
General Gudger at Panama, which evil
IDENTIFY was written, yesterday. The
consul general says:
I'm the department of Panama all
>the officials are supporting the republic
and the sentiment in its favor is unani-
nous. Life and property are fully pro-
tected. The commissioners Francisco
Padron. c. Pajara. G. Ingigarose and
Gen. Demetrio Davilla, from the Unit
ed States of Colombia, have arrived at
Colon. The commissioners from the
republic of Panama will meet them"
The important feature of Mr..
Gudger's dispatch is the statement that
the three commissioners represent the
United States of Colombia and not a
single state of that. republic.
Because he is apparently isolated
from his government, Senior Brigard
the Colombian consul general at New
York, has arrived in Washington to
hold conference with Dr. Herran, the
Colombian charge, as to their future
course.
Secretary Hay has addressed letter
to DR.. Herran expressing sympathy
and the hope that he may remain in
Washington.
1t is expected here that the commits
sioners in the beginning will seek to
secure the revocation of the act of sep
aration by Panama, holding out as in
ducements certain pledges that a new
treaty on the lines of the failed Hay
Herran canal treaty will be put
through with all expedition at Bogota
The commissioners from Colombia
are expected next to propose to Pana-
ma that it assumes a fair share of the
Colombian national debt as the price of
independence.
1t is said at the state department that
Admiral John G. Walker is charged es-
pecially with a solution of the physical
phases of the canal problem, and that
he will not interfere in the political de-
velopments unless Consul General Gud-
ger seeks his advice.
The Panama Canal Co. has been pros
ecutirg the work of, canal construction
for many months past under an agree
ment with the state department which
tacitly admits the liability of the Unit
cd States government for the cost of
tulS COlltlllulltS WOlh. II lS IeStIueu
extremely desirable that there shall be
no loss of property or deterioration in
the work already accomplished and
Admiral Walker, who undoubtedly will
be the president of the permanent canal
commission if the United States as
sumes the work of construction. is
charged particularly to look after this
phase of the case.
The nature of the engagement be-
tween the United States government
and the Panama Canal Co.. it is said.
has changed somewhat since the Origi-
nal undertaking arranged by Attorney
General Knox, and a cancellation OF
the engagement such as has been
urged by Il part of the French press.
cannot be effected without breach of
contract that would not be tolerated
by either the French government or
the government of the United States.
The $40.000,000 option secured by Mr..
Knox expired March 4, 1903, without
attracting much attention, but the
state department meanwhile quietly
had secured new agreement, which
is in fact, in the eyes of the law Off
GERS. a complete contract, by the terms
of which the Canal Co. agreed to sell
it's property to the United States for
the figure named upon the conclusion
of the canal treaty. The state depart
ment holds that this agreement is alive.
The training ship Prairie carrying Il
battalion of marines arrived at Guam
tanamo. yesterday. 1t is said at the
navy department that the Prairie has
not been ordered to Colon.