Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-19

Minister Varilla.
treaty is the provision In one of the very
first articles by which Panama cedes to
the United States whatever land or lands
throughout the republic of Panama this
government shall find desirable in connec-
ton with the building or the operation and
maintenance of the canal. In addition, the
treaty gives to the United States absolute
sovereignty over the canal strip, which, it
Is understood comprises between eight and
ten miles on each side of the canal. Within
this zone the power of the United States is
as absolute as If the zone were part and
parcel of this country.
Basis of the New Treaty.
In general 1t may be said that, while the
new treaty contains many of the provisions
of the failed HayHerran treaty, it Is not
based on that convention. but follows not
only the spirit. but the letter of the
Spooner act. Thus, instead of the lease for
a fixed period of the canal strip this new
treaty provides for perpetual grant of the
right of way to the United States. and in
stead of complicated provision for courts
of fixed composition-half American and
half Colombian-to administer justice over
government to exercise the most complete
jurisdiction thereupon.
Permission also is given the United States
to fortify the line and the terminals, and it
may police it with troops. That portion Of
the treaty dealing with the fertilization of
the terminals is rather general, but suffi
GENTLY explicit not to be misunderstood.
The cities of Panama and Colon retain
their municipal autonomy under the repub-
lie of Panama so long as they maintain
public order and sanitary conditions to the
satisfaction of the United States. Failure
TO do this gives the United States. accord
ing to the treaty. the right to force strict
compliance with the wishes of this govern
ment in this direction, and the United
States can even use force to compel obedi-
ence to its rules as to public order and pub
lie health in these cities.
The money consideration is the same in
the new treaty as in the Hay-Herran con-
vention. with the exception that the s1O.-
600 900 goes to Panama instead of to Co
lombia
The treaty further provides that the canal
is to be neutral and open TO all nations on
even terms
Two-thirds of the treaty concerns details
of administration which, while not neces-
sary to the efficiency of the convention, will.
1t is believed. commend the new treaty to
many members of the Senate who have
picked flaws In the defunct Hay-Herran
convention.
Panama Will Promptly Ratify.
No time will be lost by Panama in rati-
flying the new treaty. Whether the rati-
flcation will be made by the government at
Panama or whether the commission which
arrived here last night will be cabled pow
ers to ratify it has not yet been deter
mined. The exchange of notifications will
take place in Washington.
The President has not determined when
the convention shall be submitted to the
Senate for ratification. His present pur-
pose is to withhold 1t until there is reason
able assurance that it's consideration will
not obstruct any of the legislation for
which the present special session Of Con-
gress has been called.
Took Commissioners by Surprise.
The New York Worlds Washington cor
respondent says:
by the Presidents express instructions
there was great haste in completing the
ergrossed copy today, that it might be
signed before the arrival of the five special
commissioners from Panama. The Presi-
dent feared that with five or six persons
representing the new republic there might
be such a divergence of opinion among
them that wrangle would result and the
treaty be delayed. To prevent this the
President and Secretary Hay began early
today to get the treaty in shape
THE special commissioners arrived to-
night three hours after the treaty had been
signed. They had come expecting to go to
the State Department early tomorrow
morning and begin the formal negotiations
The five special commissioners when
they arrived tonight refused to discuss
their attitude until after they had seen the
treaty. They believe they have fun power
to ratify for the government of the new re-
public if 1t is satisfactory to them
1.-The credentials presented by Mr.. Bunau
Varilla gave him ample authority to nego-
tiate and sign the treaty, although it was
expected that he would await the arrival
of the special commission before taking
final action"
The Baltimore Suns Washington corre-
spondent says:
Customs Receipts to Panama.
There Is excellent reason for believing
that the treaty gives Panama the privilege
of collecting customs duties ON goods
brought into Colon and Panama. This con-
cession was made to Panama at the earn
est solicitation of the Panama junta. which
cabled Minister VarlIIa definite instruc-
tons concerning the treaty
Authorized to Ratify.
The New York Herald's Washington cor
respondent says:
Minister Bunau-variila made the an
nouncement late tonight that the Panama