New-York tribune., 1903-04-02
COLOMBIA AND THE CANAL
FAITH MUST BE KEPT.
President Roosevelt Confident the
Treaty WW Be Ratified.
TBY TELEerArH 70 THE TRIBUNE.I

Washington. April 1-That the President con-
IDENTIFY expects the ratification of the Panama
Canal treaty is emphaticaly shown by the an
nouneenent that the working members Of the
Isthmian Canal Commission. accompanied by
Major William NJ Black. the sanitary expert of
The Army Engineer Corps. will sail for Colon at
an early date. probably on April 9.
In connection with the canal the diplomatic
attitude of the administration toward the
method recently pursued in the collection of
the claims OF Great Britain. Germany and Italy
against Venezuela begins TO stand out more
clearly. and the wisdom of permitting the pow
ers TO enforce tho just claims Of their citizens
becomes apparent Attorney General Knox. al
ter most thorough examination Of all the
facts. pronounced the title Of the Panama Canal
Company valid 70 the extent of warranting the
United States in paying 100000 for it. Any
attempt on the part OF Colombia 10 forfeit the
French concession on a technicality would he
met with prompt action on the part of France
TO prevent such reputation, and the United
States could with all good grace. in the light
Of the Venezuelan precedent. permit such re-
sistance by force of arms. if necessary. 10 IN
sure good faith on the part of Colombia.
There is q faction in Colombia. which advo-
Gates the postponement Of ratification until after
the formal expiration of the Panama Canal
Company's concession in 1904. but the admins
tration does not expect such delay. The advo-
Gates Of this scheme maintain that although
the Colombian Government extended the limit Of
the French oompany-s concession in 1895 by an
additional six years. making the date Of eX-
piration 1910 this extension was not ratified by
the Colombian Congress. and IS therefore void.
and they say that by postponenent Of the rati1-
cation of the treaty with the United States ur-
I'll after next year Colombia can declare the
French concession void. coniscate its property
and demand from the United States not only the
$4,000 600 purchase price agreed upon. but also
fhe S40oo000o which the United States is pro
posing 10 pay TO the Panama Canal Company.
1t is reasonably certain that the Colombian
Government will be brought 70 see the logic Of
the situation as above set forth. which will be
ably presented by the friends of the treaty at
Bogota, and that no attempt viii be made to
defer the ratification Of the convention. with
She hope Of securing more than the Colombia n
Government is entitled to-
The chief object Of the commissions visit to
the isthmus viii be a careful examination OF
the sanitary conditions existing there. with
view determining now what steps must be
faken as soon as the treaty is ratified to insure
The proper sanitation OF the entire canal zone,
aud particularly Of the cities Of Colon and
Panama. in order that vast numbers Of laborers
can he quickly started on the work. The selec-
ton Of Major Black to accompany the commits
sion is due largely 20 the success which met
jiis efforts in Kidding Havana or the yellow
er scourge, and II is believed that he Will be
able 10 begin the formulation Of his plans for
similar work the iSthTnus as soon as he has
had an opportunity TO look over the ground.
The commission further desires to examine the
latest work done by the Panama Canal Com
5eanv. which. in accordance with its agreement
with Colombia, has continued TO make eXCaYa-
sions and Is now engaged in construction on the
lines Drescribed by its concession. It is under
Sara[ "a -,rl< has
since the commission last inspected the canal,
and il IS important 10 know precisely what prog
-ess has been made, as well the condition of
-he extensive plant the ground, before
surther plans and estimates are made