The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1903-01-29
FOR RISTHMIAN CANAL
Ten Million Dollars is Necessary For
Beginning the Work
THE TREATY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Injunction of Secrecy Not Yet Re-
moved, But Some of the Terms
Made Public.

mdQe PUBIC.
Washington. Special.-The treaty
between the United States and the
government of Colombia. which was
signed Friday By Secretary Nay and
DR.. Herran. as the representative of
the two countries. was transmitted to
the committee on foreign relations.
The treaty was read in executive seS-
sion, but the Injunction OF secrecy was
not removed. By the terms Of the
treaty the United States agrees to
make a cash payment Of S10,00G,0DO
in gold to the Colombian government,
and after the expiration Of nine years
to pay rental Of $25e.00O per year
for the strip of land to be used for
the canal and for canal purposes. the
provision on this point being that the
first leases shall be for 1870 years. and
renewable thereafter in terms OF 100
years at the pleasure OF the United
States.
The strip is to be six kilometers or
about six miles in width. and over
this territory the United States is
given police and sanitary jurisdiction.
although it is explicitly specified that
Colombia does not surrender sover-
eighty over il. The United States is
20 have the privilege of free importa-
ton of vessels AMI materials to be
used in the canal. 1t was given the
right to improve, use and protect har-
bot In nd panifiP
ends Of the canal. The grant is made
exclusive to the United States and no
taxes Or rentals are to be charged IN
addition to the gross sums OF -SlO,0OO.-
600 cash and a fee of S250,000 an
nually. The foreign relations com.
mittee will meet tomorrow to consider
the treaty
Fridays meeting Of the cabinet was
one OF the most important held in sew
eral weeks. All of the members OF
the cabinet were present, Secretary
Hay leaving his home for the first
time in several days to attend the
meeting. He presented draft OF the
canal treaty signed last evening. The
treaty is identical with that drawn by
this government several months ago,
and at that time submitted to the
Colombian government, with the sin
gle exception Of the amount OF an.
nuity to be paid Colombia for the
right of way Of the canal. This gov.
ernment proposed an annuity of $780,
900. while Colombia demanded $500.
600. The Colombian governments de-
mand was based, it is stated. upon the
ha Do mo
Company in port dues which the Co
lombian government 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 1t threat
ened to break off negotiations entire
y. Secretary Hay communicated di-
rectly with the Colombian govern
ment, intimatng that some agreement
must be reached soon. as the United
States desired to enter upon the con-
struction Of the canal. il it were to
be constructed by the Panama route.
and for several days active efforts
nave been making TO secure an agree
ment, but not until yesterday were
they successful. The Colombian gov
eminent then. through NH. Herran.
the charge de affaires here. agreed
to accept an annuity Of s25Q,000.
ALL other points than this one Of
money compensation remained as they
stood in the original draft OF the
treaty and are completely satisfactory
to the United States government. The
United States will have control of the
canal as required by the Spooner act.
this having been attained by the adop-
ton of plan for lease Of 100 years.
renewable at the pleasure Of the
United States. and Colombia having
nothing TO say about the extension.
The matters of police and judicial
control are settled By a scheme Of
joint action. although it especially is
assured that no citizen Of the United
States will be tried by any other than
his own courts. Control of the wa
tcrs OF the ports OF Colon and Pana-
ma is vested in the United States just
IS far as may be necessary for the
complete operation of the canal. and
il is assured that our extra territorial
Jurisdiction will he unquestioned as
to the waters and streams pertaining
to the canal. All port dues on YES
selS passing the canal are TO go to the
United States by way Of an Offset for
the annuity payments. The President
and cabinet are confident that the
treaty will be ratified.