New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-02-20
NAY LOSE THE CANAL.
DELAY CAUSES ALARM.
Other Nations WGnt little Id
nsinistration Worried.
10y TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE

TBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE
Washington, Feb. 19-No answer has been
received by Attorney General Knox from the
Panama Canal Company, either accepting or re-
jecting his proposition for an extension of the
option which the United States holds on the
property of the Panama Canal Company beyond
March f. when it expires, but The Tribune learns
that there is a strong sentiment against ac-
ceptance in Paris. With Senator Quay taking
up the fight against ratification Of the Colombian
treaty in conjunction with Senator Morgan, of
Alabanla and with the end of the session only
eleven days away, administration officials are
becoming seriously alarmed over the situation.
Correspondence by cable has been held be
tween the officers Of the French company in
Paris, and their legal representatives n Wazh-
inston. The offer of the Attorney General Is
being most carefully scrutinized. and the state-
.lent is made that it simply pledges the United
States . pav the S40O00O00 for the canal prop
erty on the ratification Of the treaty, but does
not specify any time limit Cor such ratification.
The company is understood to concede that the
Attorney General may be in position to speak
authoritatively for the present administration
Tut they are irCned to Doubt his ability 70
speak for the Senate 1t is argued that, should
the Senate allow the matter to drag along for
say. two years longer and then take adverse
action on the treaty, there would he no redress
for the company under the offer Of the Attorney
General
Attention has been called, also. to the claim of
the French company that since the option was
granted from two thousand to three thousand
men have been constantly 1t work digging the
canal. 1t has heen over i year since the option
was granted, and the expense of carrying on this
work has been continued during that time. Be
fore an extension is granted, therefore it IS not
unlikely that the company viii ask To have this
expense taken care Of by the United States in
the way of additional compensation.
WHAT is perhaps the most serious side Of the
situation 50 far IS the officials Of this govern
ment are concerned is the understanding that
has been allowed to gain currency that there are
other interests standing ready to take the canal
of the hands of the French company the minute
il is free from the option given TO this govern
ment Just what government is represented is
not stated. but the story has gained the proper
ticIls OF intimating that the interested parties
in this deal are going 50 far as to plan ways
and means for defeating t,:2 ratlncatioh @ oL tne
Colombian treaty in the United States senate
before March +, when they will Immediately
show their nand active competitor of the
United States for the property.
Should the Senate tify the treaty before tne
eyuirs ZION of the option at noon on March /. It
is understood that the French company would
consider that. although Colombia had not ratl-
fed the treaty. and the matter had not peeh
concluded finally by the exchange of ratihca-
tions, the United States would have concluded
its part of the transaction in good faith.
demonstrations of the seriousness of the De
Law are being made to Senator Quay. II he stll
oersists in the belief that he was deliberately
misled in the Republican caucus. it will not De
from the lack of earnest presentations of the
ca Sc which are now being made to him by Sena-
tors who in close touch with the negoua-
fions which the Attorney General is conduct
ing with the French company