The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1903-09-24
MAY SEIZE THE ISTHMUS.
Plan Suggested for Circumventing
Cupidity of Columbia.

Plan Suggested for Ctrcumventtng
Cupidity of Columbia.
Washington correspondence:
The Panama canal situation has reach
ed a much more serious stage than has
appeared on the surface, or than the in
formation given out by the State Depart
ment would indicate. The real truth is
that the relations between the United
States and Colombia are badly strained.
All this is the result of the duplicity of
the BOgota grafters, who, having at
tempted to blackmail the French Pana-
ma Company into giving them $2O,0OO,-
900, are now endeavoring to rob the
French corporation of its entire posses
sions for which the United States is will
ing to pay S40,O0O,OOO.
The cause of the defeat of the Panama
treaty by the Colombian Senate was the
refusal of the French company to divide
with Colombia the bonus offered by this
country for the Panama franchise and
plant. The offer was made to the Pan
ANA company that if the "divy" were
made the Colombian Senate would pass
the treaty by which the United States
would be given the privilege of complet-
ing the canal. The attempt to black
mail the French company went SO far
that officials. of the United States gov
ernment were approached with the sug-
gestion that they use their influence with
the French company to secure the rake
Off for Colombia.
At this stage of the game the State
Department sent TO Minister Beaupre
series of kilograms advising him on
course of action which might have chang
ed the attitude Of the Colombian Senate.
The department was surprised to hear
of no results from Minister Beaupre's in
structions, and when it was announced
that the treaty had been defeated, cypher
dispatches were sent to the minister in
quiring about the situation. 1t was as
certained that the instructions had never
been received. The dispatches which
were withheld cover period of about
three weeks. Now the Colombian gov
ernment is framing reply to a peremp-
tory inquiry from the United States as
to why the diplomatic correspondence
between this government and one of its
representatives has been interrupted. If
the reply is not sufficient Colombia will
be firmly requested to make ample sat
isfactiOn.
Since the Panama route has been de-
cided upon the engineering world has
come to recognize the overwhelming ad-
vantages it possesses over its northern
rival. The administration believes that
if the country is going to construct a
canal it owes it to itself and the CONNER
cial world to choose the Panama way.
The stubbornness of Colombia will have
to be overcome. There are several ways
suggested. One is to proceed to condemn
the property needed in the name of civ
ilization and leave it to The Hague court
what compensation will be given to Co.
lombia. Another is to recognize the indie
pendence Of Panama, which is sure to Sc
cede if it appears that the Bogota gov
ernment stands in the way of the canal,
which means prosperity to the isthmus.
The third is to resurrect the old treaty
of 1916, which has never lapsed, and to
proceed to construct the canal under its
provisions.
Any one of these methods will insure
the Panama canal, but the adminis.ra-
ton would rather do the work with the
good will of Colombia if it can be ac-
complished. Otherwise the rights of the
commercial world will be preferred to
the sentiments of blackmailing little,
republic.