The Washington times., 1903-09-04
.BEAUPRE AUTHORIZED
TO ACT ON CANAL PACT
May Exchange Ratifications
With Colombia.
STRONG HOPE FOR TREATY
Canal Company Advices Indicate Pass
age Without Amendment-Eo
Request for Extension.

It is understood that instructions have
been sent TO Minister Beaupre, at Bo-
gotta, which give him full authority to
exchange ratifications of the Panama
Canal treaty up to the night of Septem-
Der 81.
According to the language of the pend
ing treaty, this exchange should, take
place at Washington on or before Sep
tember %. With a desire. however, to
give the Colombian congress every op-
portunity. without haste, to come to a
definite conclusion on the treaty within
the time limit and also taking into con-
sideration the fact that it requires four
weeks for mails to pass between Bogota
and Washington, it has been decided, 1t
is said. to waive the technical point in
volved, and to authorize Minister
Beaupre TO represent the United States
in the final ratification of the treaty.
Strong Hope for Treaty.
Information received by representa-
tives of the Panama Canal Company,
now in this city, is to the effect that
there is strong hope of the eventual
adoption of the treaty by the Colombian
congress just as 1t was passed by the
United States Senate.
1t is believed that when the firm at
titude of the United States in refusing
to be bluffed into the acceptance of un-
desirable amendments becomes fully
known in Bogota IL will have the effect
of inducing the Colombian congress to
reconsider its former action in 'disap-
proving the treaty and cause its adop-
tion in its original form.
A report from the joint committee
named to agree upon a compromise
measure should reach Washington at
any time now. DR.. Herran and agents
of the Panama Canal Company are un-
able to explain the delay In news from
Colombia, and are anxiously awaiting
the results of the joint committee's s
work
Dr. Herran Awaiting Advices.
No extension of the time for the
ratification of the measure has been
asked by Colombia, and DR.. Herran, OF
course. will make no such request IN
TIL he is asked TO do so by the Colon
bian secretary of state or has informa-
ton concerning the situation which Will
justify him in making it.
One OF the excuses offered by Colon
bian senators for their refusal to ratify
the Panama Canal treaty is the alleged
failure of the Panama Canal Compan.
to obtain Colombia's permission 10 sell
the canal franchise before entering into
a contract with the United States.
This Is said by Panama Canal officials
to be one OF a number of pretexts offer
ed by Colombians in the hope of hold
ing up the company for a share OF the
$40. 000, 900 It is to receive for the canal
One OF the stipulations in the franchise
granted to the French company is still
the concession shall not be sold without
the permission of the Colombian govern
ment.
Permission Granted Long Ago.
Panama Canal Company officials al
| lege. however, that this permission was
granted long ago. II is asserted thai
this is a matter OF record and that the
| Colombian government even authorized
a demand on the canal company that II
sell TO the United States. When the
United States showed a willingness tC
| buy there was a change of front