The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-06-21

Washington, June 2o.-(special.) )-win Colombia repudiate the isthmian canal proposition of the United States? Will Colombia be ready to comply with the terms imposed by the United States3
 These are questions which the exuitant advocates of the Panama canal last winter dismissed in the face of Senator Morgans solemn warnings as the unwar- ranted .petulance of an old man who was beside himself with excessive devotion to one idea. They thought he cherished So much pride of opinion on the one subject of the Nicaragua route that he could not and would not see any good whatever in the Panama enterprise. Now they have been forced to treat with respect what they formerly regarded with derision
 They were going to have everything smoothed for the Panama project and friends of the measure went to work to nick out the canal commissioners the president should appoint. Aspirants for the commissionerships have rallied their packers and besieged the White House from time to time Hardly a week has passed. when President Roosevelt was in Washington. but somebody interested in the composition of the commission has not been here to push chances. The Pan- anna canal promoters seem to have for gotten that there was such thing as two sides to the bargain. The other side is now looming large and ominous to their hopes The Spooner amendment, with the Nicaragua alternative which they looked upon as a mere unguent for Senator Nor aan's disappointment, has assumed at least the proportions of comforter to the real friends of an isthmian canal
 There remains but little time for the ad- ministration to realize that once the all formative is taken up the Panama idea becomes a thing of the past. The treaty provided that it should be ratified ana ratifcations exchanged at Washington within eight months from this date, or earlier if possible" The date was Jan uary 22. last. Time will be up September 22. The obstacles in the way of compli- ance with the terms of the treaty by the Colombian government have already com pletely vindicated the judgment of Sena- tor Morgan and proved his superior knowledge of the question Senator Han ma, with his minority report from the Senate Canal Committee. came to the front with cheerful assurance and repre- sented the Colombian people as ready to do any and everything that was neces- sary to put the project under way He said that there was mo reason whatever
 to apprehend any serious difhculty Ill concluding a treaty with Colombia. LOOK at the actual situation! The Colombian people are so vexed over the ratification question that division or secession of their States Is threatened. to say nothing or revolution which ever needed less provo cation than the biggest question they have rASer undertaken to meet. Just as soon as this government had acted an opposition party arose in Colombia ana grew until its present proportions are such that nobody who knows the temper of the Colombian people doubts that it will exhaust the patience of this country. That the treaty will be ratified within the period prescribed Is extremely improba- ble unless 6 most tremendous change oc- CUTS in Colombian public opinion wholly inconsistent with the character or the people Senator Hanna's early and al yrost gay assurance that all was lovely as to Colombia, was put into question immediately by a raise in the price or rights from S7.000, 900 to $10,000,O 600. with the payment of annuity to begin in ten years. The Colombians are after more money and the political party that has that for it's policy in such country as Colompia is more than likely to carry the day. VIII
 the United States yield to the hold-up?
 It Is not a question to be settled this sumner. nor for a much longer time to come President Roosevelt will have to send a message to Congress detalhng the situation, and then 1t vii. be for congress
 to act The Isthmian canal question VIII he just as big In the Fifty-eighth as 1t has been In any other Congress and may he Senator Morgan will have something
 to say that will enlist attention.
 Houors for General Wright.
 War Department circles, from the Sec retary down, are talking about the2great popularity reception that greeted wee Governor Wright on his return 10 Ma utla from the United States. Secretary Root ia especially pleased with the de- monstration, while none seem more de- lighted than thes force in the big insular afFairg division of the Department. many 6f whom sefved under General Wright in the civil government of the Philippines. According to the Manila newspapers which have come to hand. the reception of General Wright was the greatest event that has occurred in the history of Amer iean lodxment in the Orient. Governor General Taft had promulgated most generous order, reciting General Wright fidelity to duty and especially ms WEI I lant thoughtfulness and good work TOT inc Philippines during his vacation IT the states and calling upon the people | n accord him welcome commensurate iF nosEIble. with his eminent services That there was a tremendous ana en- thusiastic response the newspapers ol Manila abundantly attest. Pages or the papers are devoted to description or the features of the welcome, with the whole big city en fete, the people enjoying boJ,dav and the entire personnel of the | Government in all of It's branches anc apparently the entire populace participat ing with genuine joy as though the re turn of the Tennesseean meant the oes tidinRs ever brought the people.
 Senate Financial Engineers.
 Nothing definite has been beard lately | from the financial engineers or the , nen ata since Aldrich and Spooner and Allison were going back and forth betweer Washington and Hot Springs, "a. In the 1 earIv sumner. but 1t is said that the un