The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-20
DETAILS OF THE CONVENTION
COLON AND PANAMA CITY TO BE
MADE SANITARY PLACES.
This Country to Construct Sewers and
Water WOrks-COIombiaR Bond
holders to Make Demands.


New York. the legal adviser to the lega-
ton. 1t is understood that they read over
the treaty signed yesterday by Mr.. Hay and
Mr. Bunau-Variila and discussed its terms
and provisions in detail. 1t met their hearty
approval At the close of the conference
the Panama commissioners spent the even
ing visiting their Spanish-speaking friends
in Washington.
From various sources additional informa-
ton in regard to the terms and provisions
of the treaty has been obtained. Under it
| the United States guarantees and agrees
| TO maintain the independence of Panama.
1t is understood that this clause was in
serted in order to set at rest all ques-
tons as to the recognition of Panama as
an independent nation by the other govern
ments. Panama grants to the United States
the perpetual use and control of a
/ of territory ten miles wide across the 18TH
! mus for the canal, with the right to
quire by purchase by the exercise of
eminent domain any other lands in Panama
wherever situated which, in the judgment
| of the United States. may be necessary
| for the construction of the canal the pro-
| vision of its supply of water and the proper
sanitation of the cities of Panama and
Colon and other territory adjacent to the
| canal route. Within the zone of territory
| for the canal and within the limits of the
other lands acquired by the United States,
the United States will have the same power
| and authority as If the territory were coded
70 the United States and the republic of
| Panama will cease TO exercise any power
| and authority within that zone.
TO MODERNIZE CITIES.
The United States undertakes to construct
modern systems of sewers and water works
for the cities of Panama and Colon and has
the right to collect tolls for the period of
fifty years in order to repay the cost Of
| their construction with interest. AT the end
of fifty years the sewers and water works
become the property of the cities of Panama
and Colon. The Republic of Panama un-
dertakes to compel the cities of Panama
and Colon to comply with the sanitary ordi-
nances of the United States and If they
| fail to do so the United States has the right
! TO enforce its rules and regulations in re-
| gard to sanitation.
In addition to these general provisions.
| which constitute the foundation of the
treaty, there are many articles of an add
| ministrative character which provide for
| the exemption of the materials and supplies
for the construction of the canal from GUS
toms duties and for the neutrality of the
| canal and the entrances to it. Panama is
to receive 100000 and an annual payment
of $4,000 beginning nine years from the
The first five articles of the treaty deal
| exclusively with the question of SOW
ereignty. In substance they to this
| effect:
Article l. The United States guarantees
and agrees to maintain independence of the
republic of Panama.
to the United States five miles on each side
of the canal and three marine leagues at
each terminal and also any other lands
necessary to the construction or mainte-
nance of the canal and it's auxiliaries.
Art. g. The republic Of Panama grants
to the United States the right to exercise
nd anti ifv rtrcn
lands las if it were sovereign" and to the
exclusion of such power by Panama.
Art. a. The republic of Panama grants
rivers. streams and waters for navigation,
or 50 far as is necessary to the construc-
ton of the canal and it's auxiliaries, in
Guiding purposes Of sanitation.
Art. s. The republic of Panama grants
to the United States in perpetuity a mo-
across its territory by canal or by railroad.
ADMINISTRATION
The remaining twenty-one articles of the
treaty deal, for the most part, with ques-
lions of administration. For example, Arti-
Gle declares free for all time the ports at
either entrance Of the canal, including Pan
anna and Colon, and provides that no dues
of any kind shall be imposed by the re-
public of Panama on any vessel using the
canal or belonging to or employed by the
United States. 1t provides also that the
ports of Panama and Colon and others
leading to the canal shall be free to the
commerce of the world, and that no duties
destined to be introduced for consumption
into the republic of Panama and on vessels
/ which touch at Colon and Panama and do
. not cross the canal.
The Panama government however is al
lowed under this article to establish at
those ports such custom houses and guards
, as may be deemed necessary to collect
duties on importations destined for other
parts of the republic. To the United States
is given the right to make use. of the ports
at the two extremities of the canal as
places of anchorage in order to make re-
pairs, for loading, unloading, deposting OF
tIansshipping cargoes which are in transit
or destined for service of the canal and
other works. Article further provides
that all damages caused to private land
owners by intimidation or by the deviation
? of water courses or in other ways arising
out of the construction or operation of the
canal shall be appraised and determined
{ governments of the United States and the
: Republic of Panama, and the United States
in turn agrees TO bear the sole cost of the
indemnities granted by said commission.
In another article the Republic of Pan
anna authorizes the Panama Cana
Company to sell and transfer its rights ant
concessions to the United States as wei
as the Panama Railroad and all or part Of
the shares of that company. 1t is stipu
lated. however. that the property outsid,
the canal zone owned by the company shall
revert TO the Republic of Panama.
> OTHER PROVISIONS.
Other important provisions of the conven
| ton are: The republic of Panama agrees t
secure for the United States the lands anC
rights that are acquired in the towns o.
Panama and Colon to effect the improve
ments provided for in the treaty anC
, | authorizes the United States to impose ant
, collect equitable water rates during fit,
, | years. AT the end of that time the use o
the water shall be free for the inhabtant
of Panama and Colon except so far as ma,
be necessary for the operation and main
tenance of the water system and auxiliaries
that the republic of Panama shall not pa,
more for official dispatches over the tel
ephone and telegraph lines TO be construct
: ed than those required from officials of tn
Y | United States; that the republic of Panama
r shall permit immigration and free access 4
I the lands and workshops of the canal an,
its auXiiiaries to all employees of whateve
T. nationality provided they are under con
tract for work in any way Connected witt
the canal; that such persons with thei
families shall be exempt from military serv
ice of the republic of Panama; that III
Z United States may import into the canal
zone free<of duty any materials convenien
e in the construction. maintenance and oper
5 alton of the canal and auxiliary works, an
: all provisions. medicines, clothing and sup
!, plies for use of all persons in the emplo
: OF the United States and for their fam
] lies: that the canal when completed shal