Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-23
and the Panama canal will soon be under
construction.
Senators Expect Ratification.


The signing of the treaty between the
United States and Colombia for the build
ing of canal at Panama was today re-
garded by many senators who have favored
that route as promising a beginning In the
near future of the work for connecting the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans by waterway
across the isthmus. This view is taken Of
the effect of the treaty, as it is believed to
embrace an agreement which will be salts
factory to the Senate While senators who
have been consulted from time to time con-
corning the terms Of the treaty as they
have been discussed between the represent
atives of this country and Colombia think
it is probable that it may be criticised in
the Senate. they generally believe that 1t
will be ratified at an early day both by the
Senate and by the congress of Colombia
The longtime lease with a privilege OF
renewal is In all practical ways as satisfac
tory to senators who have discussed the
provisions of the treaty from time to time
as would be the purchase of strip of land
along the line of the canal so that sover-
eighty could be exercised by this country
1t is believed that the power of the United
States under the terms of the treaty Will
be equivalent to sovereignty in the govern
ment of the country in the vicinity of the
work. The constitution of Colombia Tor
bids the alienation of territory so that an
absolute sale of the land could not have
been agreed to legally by the COLOMBIAN
representative.
No delay is expected in the resumption
of work on the canal. The new Panama
Canal Company has not abandoned Its ma
chinery. but has kept it in such condition
that it can be used. This plant does nos
represent anything like the working plant
which will be provided by the commission
to be appointed by the President. 1t is to
a large extent antiquated, and will give
way for more approved machinery from the
United States. But it Is believed that
considerable force of men can be employed
vided.
The President will appoint a commission
to carry on this canal project as soon as
the treaty has been ratified. 1t Is under
stood that he will have two young engt-
neers on the commission with view to so
constituting 1t that personal supervise IN
Of the work as it progresses can be had on
the part of the commission. 1t is the Pres
idents wish that the commission shall not
perform its work at distance. but that 1t
shall spend much time on the isthmrs.
When the treaty is received by the Sem
ate 1t will at once be referred to the COM
mittee interoceanic canals, of which
Senator Morgan is chairman.
The Effect Of Signing Treaty.
The effect Of signing the new canal
treaty on the present Euroisan naval dem
onstration in Venezuelan waters was in
lOTHdily OlSCuSSeU dL d meeting OI tne OSU-
ate committee on interoceanic canals to-
day. A meeting of the committee had been
called for the purpose Of taking up other
subjects, but in the absence of a quorum
the members present turned their attention
to the new treaty. Senator Morgan ex-
pressed the opinion that the effect Of the
signing of the document would be salutary
at this juncture, because 1t would, he said,
go far to convince Germany and other Eu-
ropean powers that there is a purpose on
the part Of the United States to continue
to assert it's supremacy in Central and
South America. This sentiment was gem
orally indorsed by the four or five senators
present. The opinion also was expressed
that If the terms of the new treaty should
be found to be reasonable there would be
no great delay in obtaining its ratification.
Senators generally who have favored the
Nicaragua route are especially emphatic in
their declaration that they do not intend to
allow their former preference to influence
them against the treaty.