The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-08-21
DEATH BLOW TO CANAL.
Action of Colombian Congress Is Con-
sidered Fatal to Treaty.

Action of Colombian Congress Is Con-
sidered Fatal to Treaty.
Washington, D. c., Aug. 1s.-Col
,mbia practically has killed the Pan
INA canal treaty, and it Is believed
President Roosevelt will select the Mic
lraguan route.
Colombia struck a death blow when
The congressional committee adopted
aine amendments, any one OF which
will be fatal. owing to the imrossibil-
!ty Of securing their adoption by h
United States sonata
Officials are in the dark as to n
exact nature of these amendments.
Frsm meager and mutilated dispatches
1t is known that the two principal
amendments provide for a large in
crease In the bonus demanded for the
strip through which to csnstrucS the
waterway, n fer a provision which
prohibits Colombia giving the United
STATES absolute and perpetual control
over this territory. The other amend
are considered unimportant.
The committees action must be rat
flied by the Colombian congress, but
there Is scarcely any doubt about the
ratification, as the amendments were
agreed to by the friends OF the canal,
its enemies on the other committee
having voted in favor Of the absolute
rejection of the treaty.
Moro Discouragins Delay.
Officials Of the state department are
3isgusted as it means a long delay in
The construction Of the canal. Senior
Herran, Colombian charge d affaires,
said:
Il am bitterly disappointed. Those
amendments are fatal to the treaty. I
40 not know their exact wording, but
any amendment will be fatal"
Colombia's action has revived the
bitter ,isht which has been fought here
for more than a year. 1t began during
the negotiation OF the treaty which re-
suited in the recall Of Senior Ccnchs-
the Colombian minister, whe was de-
posed at the request of Secretary Hay,
who objected to Concha's dilatory tao
tics, and the fact that he insisted on
an excessive bonus, objecting to Civ
ing to thu United States control Of the
strip of territory. After Concha's re-
call the negotiations proceeded Smooth-
ly, conducted by DR.. Herran. They
were extremely delicate, n only after
exercising great patience and tact did
Secretary Hay succeed in negotiating
the treaty which V the United
States control of the six mile strip Of
territory for which Colombia was to
receive SO, Gee, 600. DR.. Herran expe-
rienced considerable difficulty in
agreeing to the terms, but finally sue
ceeeded.
Will Not Be Sandbaaeed.
NOW COLOMBIA mas repuClateO It's
solemn agreement and is attempting TO
sandbag the United States by demand
ing a larger payment. This demand
will not be agreed to, first, because the
United States will not be held up after
the fashion of a h~iEhwayman, and,
second, because it will be almost i'm
possible to secure the assent of the
United States @eEate to the amend
The bitter struggle in tbs SEN
ate to secure the ratification of the
treaty in its present shape is still fresh
In mind. Therefore, the United States
will not Tecede from its position.
President Roosevelt has lost patience
with Colombia because of the delay on
the treaty n it's action in repudiating
it's solemn agreements. Some months
ago he caused a robust intimation to
be conveyed to Colombia that unless
the treaty should be ratified without
further delay he would select the Mica
ragua route.
Treaty with Nicaragua Ready.
Treaties with Nicaragua and Costa
Rica have been prepared for some
months and only await the signatures
Of the negotiators to put them in shape
to be sent to the ratifying bodies. II
the vague dispatches received here give
the true situation President Roosevelt
will, in all probability. instruct Secre-
tary Hay to affix his signature to them
and secure those of the nicaragua
and Costa Rican minister. These trea-
ties win then be referred to the Unit
ed States senate and the congresses o.
the two Central American republics
There probably will ensue a p]rotractec
contest in the United States senate, al
the opposition to the canal Is strong
but there will be no difficulty about thu
other Publications.
Under the law authorizing the con.
struction of the Isthmian canal. tn,
president is authorized to secure It'll,
to the. canal company's property an<
control Of the necessary strip of terri
tory for which he was given authortt,
to pay a reasonable sum. He is ais,
i'directed 30 secure other rights, includ
ing that Of defense and the control @
a Panama railway. This compa
| agreed to sell its interests for SAC, 900.
900 and Colombia agreed upon $40, 900,
| 900 for concessions.
President Is to Decide.
The president is authorized to choos
the Nicaraguan route if, after a reas
enable time he is unable to secure
title, concessions, and control of ter
ritory n other concessions. This lay
was signed on June 2S. 1902, nearl
fourteen months ago., and practicall
no progress toward the construction c
he canal has been made. This is con
sidered more than a biz time
and therefore President Roosevelt ma
shortly announce his intention of sc
lecting the N~icaraguan route.
If the president decides upon tn
N!caraguan route 1t will be gratifyin
to Senator Morgan, who is PRACTICAL
the father OF the roposed Nicaragua
canal. He a commended for it in an
out Of season. n wen after the. treat
vas negotiated he attacked it vas
asserting that those who negotiate
It On the part of Colombia had no leg;
right to act. as they We're represent
| ..-,1- ~ &Ior1 WI I~I .,
government.