Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1903-01-29
THECANAI TREATY
Secretary Hay Presents a Signed
Draft of 1t to the President.
United States Will Pay Colombia 50 So.
600 "a Year, and IA Cash Payment
Of SIO,OOO.OOO, for Right of
Way-Lease Is Practical
Iy Perpetual.

Washington, Jan. Birthdays
meeting of the cabinet was one of the
most important held in several
weeks. Subjects of great moment
were discussed. Secretary Hay pre-
sented draft of the Panama canal
treaty signed Thursday and both the
president and his associates in the
cabinet expressed satisfaction with
the results achieved.
The treaty is identical with that
drawn by this government several
months ago, and at that time submit
ted to the Colombian government,
with the single exception of the
amount of annuity to be paid Colom-
bia for the right of way of the canal.
This government proposed an annu-
ity of 100000, while Colombia de-
manded $650,000. The Colombian gov
ernment's demand was based upon
the ascertalned returns from the Pan
anna Railroad Co. in port dues, etc,
which Colombia did not desire to have
reduced.
During the several months of ne
gotiations Colombia agreed to all
points in the treaty proposed by the
United States with the exception of
the annuity. That has been the point
of difference for many weeks and at
one time it threatened to break off
negotiations entirely. Secretary Hay
communicated with the Colombian
government, intimating that some
agreement must be reached soon, as
the United States desired to enter on
the construction of a canal even if
it were to be constructed by the
Panama route.
On Thursday the Colombian govern
ment, through Mr. Herran. the charge
d'affaires here, agreed to accept an
annuity of $250,0OO. This was salts
factory to the president and secre-
tary Hay and while it is a larger
amount than was offered at first, it
is believed that the senate will accept
the figure named in the treaty, par
ticularly after it is made clear that a
lesser amount would deprive Colom-
bia of income which she is now ac-
tually receiving.
The treaty was transmitted to the
senate yesterday and referred to the
committee on foreign relations.
BY the terms of the treaty the Uni
ted States agrees to make cash
payment of $10,OOO,0OO in gold to the
Colombian government and after the
expiration of nine years to pay a
rental of $95O,O0O per year.
The lease of the strip of land to be
used for the canal and for canal pur-
poses is practically made perpetual,
the provision on this point being that
the first lease shall be for 100 years,
and renewable thereafter in terms of
100 years at the pleasure of the Uni
ted States. The strip is to be about
six miles in width, and over this the
United States is given police and san
itary jurisdiction. although it is ex-
plicitly specified that Colombia does
not surrender sovereignty over it.
The Venezuelan situation was dis
cussed at length by the cabinet, but
no change in the attitude of the Uni
ted States is in contemplation at this
time. This government will continue
its policy of Sitting tight The
bombardment by the German war
ships of Fort San Carlos is regretted
by officials of the administration be-
cause of their apprehension that it
may complicate the pending negotia-
tions between Minister Bowen, as the
representative of Venezuela, and the
representatives of the powers. How
ever, while the administration re-
CARDS the bombardment as unwar-
ranted, the United States has no in
tention of taking official cognizance
of it.