The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-08-18
Colombian Senate Was Unani.
nous In Opposition 10 Il.
May AMEND IT SOMEWHAT
President Mancuull Cannot Submit The
Measure In the Present Form. Soa
Change Is lmreratlw.

Washington, Aug. 1s-A cablegram.
dated Aug II. has been received at the
state department from Minister Beaupre
at Bogota. saying that the Panama canal
treaty has been rejected by the Colombian
senate.
President Roosevelt was Immediately
advised OF the news. Very l,:tle addi-
0onal information concerning the action
OF the Colombian senate could be obtained
at the state department. Mr. Loomis
was not at the department today, he be-
Ing away on business.
Mr. Adee, acting secretary, would not
discuss Colombian affairs, nor indicate
what course the United States would pur-
sue. The information in the cablegram
there was no intimation whether the
treaty might not again be brought up for
consideration.
Section 4 OF the Isthmian canal act pro-
vides that should the president be unable
20 obtain a satisfactory title to the prop
erty OF the new canal company. and con-
Moi or the necessary territory and the
TiGhts necessary 10 the construction or
{he canal from the Republic OF Colombia,
ne shall make the necessary treaties with
Costa Rioa and Nicaragua. and proceed
WITH the construction OF canal by the
Nicaraguan route.
II viii be impossible for President Mar
roquin to again submit the treaty 10 the
colombian congress in its present form.
The senate having rejected II. the treaty
cannot again come before that body. ex-
cept by the senate's own vote Presi.
dent Marroquin. however. can send the
treaty slightly amended, TO the senate
and reopen the canal debate. 1t Is be-
leved at the Colombian legation that he
VIII adopt some such procedure
GREAT SENSATION ON IsTHMUs.
Colon. Colombia. Aug ls-The rejec-
ton OF the canal treaty by the Colombian
senate has produced tremendous sen
sation on the isthmus. II was generally
believed that the treaty would pass. with
some notifications.
There is good reason TO suppose that
the majority OF the members OF the
senate regard the Spooner amendment to
build canal by the Nicarasuan route,
II the Panama route was rejected by
Colombia. as n mere threat on the part
Of the United States. They are con-
vinced that the Nicaraguan project Is
impc ss,ble and that the United States
will again deal with Colombia.
Their rejection IL a heavy blow 10
property owners here. who have been in
vesting heavily on the prospects OF the
treaty being ratified
DIDN'T EXPECT RATIFICATION.
Panama. Colombia, Aug. ls.-The
unanimous rejection OF the Panama
canal treaty by the senate has caused n
profound impression here In all circles
THE question on all lips is what will be.
come OF Panama. The only consolation
that the isthmians have is that the rest
of the republic will exchange at a very
high figure and with an upward ten
dency will suffer a great deal more
II seems that the government never ex-
pected the treaty 10 be ratified. and II
was not supported at All in the senate
STATEMENT FROM COUNSEL.
received in this city yesterday that the
Panama treaty had been rejected by the
Colombian senate. William Nelson Crom-
well made the following brief statement.
as counsel for the Panama Canal COM
pany:
"A committee Of the Colombian senate
pn the 5th instant recommended the
treaty with a number ~ amendments.
Our recent cables state that various par
jamentary motions have been made more
pr less involving these amendments. and
recent one Indicates that the treaty ls
not acceptable without amendment, but
THE 10 not regarded as final"
The first serious determination of con
eress to build an isthmian canal was
apparent In January. 1909. The house
passed a bill in that month approprist
ng money for a canal by the Nicarag qua
route as ~ was considered impossible
10 secure the rights from the French
Panama company 10 complete its line
through the state Of Colombia for any
rea sonable sum. In the meantime the
French Panama company offered TO sell
Il rights for $40. 900. 000
The Nicaragua route Is 1s3 miles long
and yet shorter than the Panama route
Por vessels passing to the east or west
sor North American ports. while the
Panama route is the shortest one to