The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-11
WANTS IN
ON THAT $40,0O0,OOO
French Canal Company Might
Have Bribed Treaty Through
the Congress.
MAY MAKE A NEW TREATY
Many Colombians Suspect That a
Great Mistake Has Been Made and
Would Like to Try Preparing
a New Pact NoLv.

Washington, Sept. 9.-The L..
anna Canal company has notified this
government it has rejected the efforts
of the Colombian authorities to arrange
a Zeal by which part of the $40, 000, 900
to be paid to the company for it's prop
ierties by the United States if the canal
treaty is ratified VIII De handed over
to Colombia.
This course meets the approval Of the
United States government, which has
insisted any attempt to amend the
canal treaty by the insertion of a pro-
vision requiring the Panama company
to divide with Colombia would be dis
tasteful to the Washington admins
tration. Notification to hat effect was
given to Colombia while the treaty was
under consideration at Bogota.
Dollars, Not Patriotism.
The statement that Colombia has
been trying to get money out of the
caral company is regarded by leading
officials as confirming the view that
the rejection of the canal agreement
was a matter Of dollars and not patriot
ism.
Considerable indignation is expressed
in official circles over the aspect of the
negotiations. 1t is claimed by those ia
miliar with what has been going on at
Bogota hat the treaty could nave been
ratified if there had been more money
in sight. This government, however,
declined to be a party to any sordid
deal, not only because it was satisfied
bonus than provided for in the treaty,
but as a matter of principle and fair
dealing.
Reports have been current here that
the rejection of the treaty by the CO.
lompia congress was due mainly to the
ultimatum presented by United States
Minister Bcaupre, which was construed
as in the nature of a threat. 1t was
learned today that the state depart
ment had directed Minister Beaupre
to inform the Colombian government
that the rejection or vital amendment
OF the treaty would be attended by
regrettable consequences. The Colom-
bians are now claiming this was a
yelled threat against the nation, which
pride compelled them to counterfeit in
as marked a manner as possible, and
this they did by the rejection of the
treaty.
Colombia Seeks an Excuse.
This statement is scorned by officials
here, who maintain that having re-
jected the treaty and found they had
made a great mistake, the Colombians
now are SeGhliS 10 justify tlelr con-
duct by making it appear hat the
United States reused a natural feeling
of resentment by adopting measures
of coercion. 1t is asserted here there
Is not the slightest intention on III
part of this government to threaten Co
lombia. On the contrary, it is ex-
planned the note which was presented
by Minister Beaupre, n which the
Colombians now claim to have found
objectionable and even insulting, meant
IL the treaty were rejected or amend
ed in such a way as to make it i'm
possible to accept the amendment by
the United States this government no
less han that of Colombia would great
ly regret such an outcome.
Siteen days remain of life of the
treaty. While there is yet time for
the Colombian congress to reconsider
its rejection, this government is not
looking for any such happy result. 1t
Is a mistake TO suppose that should the
reaty be ratified between now and the
date Of expiration, September %, it
would fail nevertheless becaus there
would not be time enough to exchange
notifications. A physical exchange of
copies now in Washington and those in
Boguta is not necessary. The formaiity
of exchange "a be conducted by tele-
graph and the physical act performed
at some later day. even afer the late
set for the mutual handing over of the
ratification copies has passed.