The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-26

country regarding any privilege OF con-
cession 1t may have with any third
power.
Article XXI declares all grants and
concessions to the United States to be
free from all interior concessions, and
should any claims arise Colombia. be-
comes responsible for any indemnity
that may be awarded
BY Article XXI. Colombia renounces
all claims to earnings in the Panama
Canal company, the Panama Railroad
grants the same to the United States.
COLOMBIA TO PROTECT CANAL.
Article XXIII-If it should becoms
necessary at any time to employ armed
forces for the safety or protection of the
canal, or of the ships that may make
use Of the same, or the railways and
other works, the republic Of Colombia
agrees to provide the forces necessary
for such purposes according to the cir
cumstances Of the case, but if the gov
erament of Colombia cannot effectively
comply with this obligation, then with
the consent of or at the request Of
Colombia, or of her minister al Wash
ington, or of the local authorities, civil
military, the United States shall employ
such force as may be necessary for that
sole purpose; and as soon as the neces-
sity shall have ceased will withdraw
/ the forces SO employed Under excep-
tiOnal circumstances, however, on ac-
count of unforeseen or imminent danger
4 to said canal. railways and other works
or to the lives and property of the per-
] sons employed upon me Canal railways
and other works, the government OF the
| United States is authorized to act in the
/ interest of their protection. without the
necessity of obtaining the consent be-
forehand of the government Of Colom-
bia: and it shall give immediate advice
of the measures adopted for the pur-
! pose stated: and as soon as sufficient
Colombian forces shall arrive to attend
to the indicated purposes, those of the
! United States shall retire.
TO BE OPENED IN IA YEARS.
Article XXIV-The government OF
| the United States agrees to complete the
construction Of the preliminary works
! necessary, together with all the auxii-
larry works, in the shortest time poss
sible: and within two years from the
date Of the exchange OF ratification on
this convention the main works Of the
/ canal shall be commenced, and it shall
be opened to traffic between the twa
oceans within twelve years after such
period of two years. In case, however.
that any difficulties or obstacles should
arise in the construction OF the canal
/ which are at present impossible to fore
see in consideration Of the good faith
/ with which the government Of the
/ United States shall have proceeded, ana
/ the large amount of money expended 50
far on the works and the nature OF the
difficulties which may have arisen, ths
government Of Colombia win prolong
the terms stipulated in this article up
to twelve years more for the completiou
Of the work Of the canal.
But in case the United States should
at any time determine to make such
canal practically a sea-level canal, then
such period shall be extended for ten
years further"
Article XIV provides for the pay
ment Of $3.50, 600 gold annually for ths
lease, beginning nine years after the
date Of ratification and $4,000, 600 IN
gold upon the exchange Of ratification
Of the treaty and reads: But no delay
nor difference of opinion under this
article shall affect nor interrupt the full
operation and effect Of this convention
in all other respects"
Article XVI provides no change in
the government, laws or treaties of Col
ombia shall affect any right of the
I United States without the consent of
this government.
Article XVII The joint commits
sion referred to in Articles III. VII and
XIV shall be established as follows:
The president of the United States
I shall nominate two persons and the
! president of Colombia shall nominate
I two persons, and they shall proceed to
a decision; but in case of disagreement
{ OF the commission fby reason Of their
being equally divided in conclusion) an
1 umpire shall be appointed by the two
governments who shall render the de-
cision- In the event Of death, absence
or incapability OF any commissioner OK
umpire. or of his emitting, declining -
ceasing to act, his place shall be filed
by the appointment Of another person
in the manner above indicated. All
decisions by q majority of the commits
sion or by the umpire shall be final
Article XVIII provides that the.
treaty shall be ratified and exchanged
within eight months from the 22nd day
of January. 1903. It is signed by John
Hay and Thomas Herran-
city Ticket Ofice. Union Paeina
Railroad, SIS Kansas avenue.