Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1903-01-29
WORK TO BEGIN
ON PANAMA CANAL
Signing Of Treaty Assures
First Steps in Construc-
ton of Waterway.
TERMS OF PACT MADE PUBLIC
Agreement With Colombia Provides
for $4,000, 900 Down and an Annuity
Of $25o,ooo in Consideration of Grant
That Is Practically Perpetual.

washington, Jan. 26.-TEe signing
of the canal treaty with Colombia as
sures the beginning of work before the
close of the year. The treaty and other
subjects of great moment were dis
cusse1 at a cabinet meeting, which
was one of the most important held in
several weeks. The session of the
cabinet continued for two hours. All
the members were present, Secretary
Hay leaving his home for the first
time il several days to attend the
meeting.
He presented draft of the Panama
canal treaty, which provides for $780,
100000 down and an annuity of $780,
900, and both the president and his as
sociates in the cabinet expressed sat
isfaction with the results achieved
through the long ard difficult negotia-
tons. e..
Agree on Rental.
The treaty is identical with that
drawn by this government several
months ago, and at that time submit
ted to the Colombian government, with
the single exception of the amount of
annuity to be paid Colombia for the
right of way to the canal. This gov
eminent proposed an annuity of $780,
900, while Colombia demanded $780,
900.
The Colombian governments de-
mand was based, it is stated, upon the
ascertained returns from the Panama
pniJ in, nnrt 1ttno nfn
which Colombia did not desire to have
reduced. During the several months of
negotiations Colombia agreed to all
points in the treaty proposed by the
United States with the exception OF
the annuity. That has been the point
of difference for many weeks and at
one time it threatened to break off
negotiations entirely.
Hay Makes Demands.
Secretary Hay communicated direct
ly with the Colombian government,
intimating that some agreement must
be reached soon, as the United States
desired to enter on the construction
or the canal If it were to be construct
ed by the Panama route. The Colon
bian government, then, through DR..
Herran, the charge d'affaireS here,
agreed to accept an annuity of $780,!
900. This was entirely satisfactory to-
the president and Secretary Hay, and,
while it is larger amount than was!
offered at first, 1t is believed by admin
istration officials that the senate I'M
doubtedly will accept the figure named
in the treaty, particularly after it is
made clear that lesser amount would
deprive Colombia of income which she
is now actually receiving.
Treaty Is Satisfactory.
All other points than this one of
money compensation remain as they
stood in the original draft of the
treaty, and are completely satisfac-
tory to the United States government.
The United States will have control
of the canal practically in perpetuity,
as required by the Spooner act, this
result having been attained by the
adoption of plan for lease for 100
years, renewable at the pleasure OF
the United States, and Colombia hav-
ing nothing to say about the extern
sion.
The matter of police and judicial
control is settled by scheme of Joint
action, although it especially is as
sured that no citizen of the United
States will be tried by any other than
his own courts. Control of the waters
of the ports of Colon and Panama is
vested in the United States, just as
far as may be necessary for the COM
plete operation of the canal, and it is
assured that our extra territorial jur-
isdiction will be unquestioned as to
waters and streams pertaining to the
canal. All port dues on vessels pass
ing the canal are to go to the United
States by way of Offset for the annuity
payments.
Is Sent to Senate.
1t was not Secretary Hays inten-
ton to transmit the signed treaty to
the Senate at once, but after the
President and the Cabinet discussed
1t the conclusion was reached that it
would be advisable to send it to the
Senate at the earliest possible mo-
ment. The formal letter of transmit
tai, therefore, was prepared at once,
and the treaty was sent to the Senate.
The Republican managers there are
confident that it will be promptly rati-
fed. Notwithstanding the present dead
lock over the statehood bill. The ad-
vocates of the statehood bill are also
strong supporters of the canal, and
they cannot delay the treaty by the
statehood bill without arousing sus-
picion as to their sincerity in the as
sertion that they want the canal ques-
ton promptly settled to reassure pub
lie sentiment that the great water
WAY is to be constructed