Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-17
ADv|CES FROM GUDGER
Colombian Peace Commission
ers at Colon.
WILL SEEK REUNION
THEIR EFFORTS WILL RECEIVE
NO SUPPORT HERE.
Purpose of Admiral Walkers Visit to
the Isthmus-To Look After Condi-
ton of Canal Property.

The State Department today received a
cablegram from United States Consul Cen
eral Gudger at Panama, which was evil
IDENTIFY written yesterday, although 1t Is
undated. The consul general says:
I'm the department of Panama all the
officials are supporting the republic and
the sentiment in it's favor is unanimous
Life and property are fully protected. The
commissioners, Francisco Padron, c. Pa
jara, G. Insignaes and Gen. Demetrio Da-
villa, from the United States of Colombia
have arrived at Colon. The commission
ers from the republic of Panama will meet
them"
The important feature of Mr.. Gudger's
dispatch is the statement that these COM
missioners represent the United States of
Colombia, and not a single state of that
republic, point left in doubt by the morn
ing dispatches.
To Annul Secession
1t is expected here that the commission
ers will in the beginning seek to secure the
revocation of the act of separation by
Panama, holding out inducements GER
tain pledges that new treaty on the lines
of the failed Hay-Herran canal treaty will
be put through with all expedition at Bo-
gotta. That promise would be easy of re-
demption, as under the Colombian consti-
tuition, an insurrection prevailing, the
president becomes practical dictator, with
liberty to conclude treaties and make any
arrangements he pleases with external
powers. Therefore Marroquin, by simple
declaration that an insurrection exists
within the limits of Colombia (meaning by
that the state of Panama). can within a
few hours make new treaty with United
States Minister Beaupre.
But the experience which the State De-
partment so far has had with the Colom-
bians in treaty making is not of a char
acter to induce 1t to pursue the effort, and
it may be stated that such a move that
Will receive no support from this govern
ment. So that failing, the commissioners
from Colombia are expected to propose to
Panama that it assume fair share of the
Colombian national debt as the price of in
dependence. There is precedent for such
demand, and as the canal was after all one
of the principal assets relied upon by Co
lombia to meet the interest on it's foreign
debt, the equity in the case might secure
some foreign support.
1t is said at the State Department that
Admiral John G. Walker is charged espe-
cial1y with solution of the physical phases
of the canal problem, and that he will not
Interfere in the political developments un-
less Consul General Gudger seeks his ad
vice. The Panama Canal Company has
been prosecuting the work of canal con-
struction for many months past under an
agreement with the State Department,
which tacitly admits the liability of the
United States government for the cost of
this continuing work. 1t Is regarded as ex-
tremely desirable that there shall be no
loss of property of plant or deterioration
in the work already accomplished, and Ad-
mral Walker. who will undoubtedly be the
president of the permanent canal commits
sion if the United States assumes the work
of construction is particularly charged to
look after that phase of the case.
Proposed Breach of Contract.
AS some parts of the French press con-
tinue to urge the Panama canal directors
to cancel their engagement to sell the prop
erty to the United States, it is pointed out
at the State Department that no such can
cellaion be effected without breach of
contract that would not be tolerated by
either the French government the gov
ernment of the United States. The nature
of the engagement between the United
States government and the Panama Canal
Company has. it is said, changed some
what since the original undertaking ar
ranged by Attorney General Knox as the
result of his visit to Paris. Then he
cured an undertaking from the canal com
pany to sell its property to the United
States for the sum of $4,000. .00o the option
to expire March !. 1893. That option ex-
pired without attracting much attention.
but the State Department had meanwhile
quetly secured a new agreement, which Is,
complete contract. by the terms of which
the canal company agreed to sell it's prop
erty to the United States for the figure
named upon the conclusion of the canal
treaty. The State Department holds that
agreement is alive.
First Consul for Panama.
Senior Pablo Accommodation, mer-
chant of Panama, who has been in New
York for the past few months for his
health. is the first consul of Panama, hav-
ing received his appointment to the Office
from NJ. Philippe Bunau- Varlla, minister
of Panama here.
Senor Arosemena has accepted the office
of consul merely the provisional incum-
bent, intending to return to his country as
soon as d permanent consul is appointed.
Note to the Powers.
NJ Bunau-Varilla, the minister from
Panama, will address a note to the powers
through their ENJOYS accredited to the
Washington government. advising them Of
flcially of the formation of the republic of
Panama and expressing tie wish of his
government to enter into diplomatic rela-
tons with the friendly nations at their con-
venience. These notes VIII be transmitted
by the various ambassadors. ministers and
charges d'affaires at Washington to their
respective governments.
Received at French Embassy.
JuSSSTduu, the cTcICH dHbdSsdaOi,
today formally received p. Bunau-Varilla
al the French embassay as envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary of
the republic of Panama.
Conference With DR.. Herran.
DR. Arturio Brigard the Colombian con-
sui general at New York, arrived at WASH
ington this morning and went promptly TO
confer with DIR. Herran, the Colombian
charge here.
1t was stated that these two officials have
found themselves completely isolated from
Colombia and wish to confer respecting
their future course. The diplomatic status
of the charge Is peculiar and rather strain
ed, but Secretary Hay has sought to relieve
DIR. Herran's embarrassment by writing him
a letter expressive of his sympathy, and of
the hope that he will continue in Washing
ton.
The latter expression is taken as an indi-
cation of the administrators view that
nothing that has occurred on the isthmus
has necessarily ruptured the dipematic re-
lations between the United Stat4s and Co
lombia and, therefore. there is no reason
why DIR. Herran should be required to with
draw at this stage.