The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-12-02
NEW CANAL TREATY SIGNED
$4,000, 900 Bonus % Republic
Of Panama.
RIGHT TO FORTIFY TERRITORY

United States Gets Ten-Mile Strip in rer-
petuity. Cities at Both Ends and the
Islands in Panama Bay-Annual Rental
Payment of Se5O,00O TO Begin After
Term of Wine Years.
Washington, .. C.-Secretary Hay
and Philippe Bunau-Varilla. the Min
lister from Panama, signed the treaty
providing for the construction OF the
Panama Canal By the United States.
The ceremony took place in Secretary
Hays study The Secretary informed
NJ. Bunau-Varilla that he was ready to
sign the treaty. The minister read
the document carefully. and then he
and Secretary Hay attached their sig
natures TO it.
The keynote of the treaty IS the pro-
vision in one of the very 1irst articles,
by which Panama cedes to the United
States whatever land or lands through
out the Republic Of Panama this Gov
ernment shall find desirable in connec-
tion with the building or operation and
maintenance of the canal. In addition
the treaty gives to the United States
absolute sovereignty over the canal
strip, which, it is understood, comprises
between eight and ten miles on each
side of the canal. Within this zone
the power of the United States is as
absolute as if the zone were part and
parcel of this country.
In general it may be said that while
the new treaty contains many OF the
provisions of the old treaty. it is not
based on that convention, but follows
not only the spirit. but the letter of the
Spooner act. Thus instead of the lease
for a fixed period of the canal strip
this new treaty permits this Govern
ment to exercise the most complete
jurisdiction thereupon.
Permission also is given to the United
States. to fortify the line and the ter
minals, and it may police it with
troops. That portion Of the treaty deal
ing with the fortiication of the ter
minals is rather general. but sufficient
ly explicit not to be misunderstood.
The cities of Panama and Colon re-
tain their municipal autonomy under
the Republic Of Panama as long as
they maintain public order and sani-
tary conditions to the satisfaction OF
the United States. Failure to do this
gives the United States, according to
the treaty. the right to force strict COM
pliance with the wishes of this Gov
ernment in this direction, and the
United States can even use force to
compel obedience to it's rules as to pub
lie order and public health in these
cities.
The money consideration is the same
with the exception that the $10.000,OOO
90 to Panama instead of to Colombia.
The treaty further provides that the
canal is to be neutral and open to all
nations on even terms.
Ten million dollars the same amount
named in the Colombian treaty. is to
be paid as a bonus by the United
States to the Republic Of Panama. the
amount to be paid on the exchange OF
the ratification Of the treaty. The
Government of Panama is also to re-
ceive an annual payment of S2oO.OOO
from the United States. beginning nine
years after the ratification OF the
treaty. A similar provision was in
cuded in the treaty with Colombia.
The cities of Panama and Colon, eX-'
cept such lands within their limits as
are now owned or possessed by the
Panama Canal Company, are not to be
controlled by the United States Gov
ernment its rights within them being
limited to canal operations and main
tenance. Within these cities police ap-
pointed by the Government Of Panama
are to maintain order. and local native
courts are to administer Justice, but it
is provided that If the United States
should deem the administration of po-
lice and judicial functions unsatisfac-
tory it may assume police and judicial
control.
Under the treaty the Government of
Panama authorizes the New Panama
Canal Company to sell and transfer to
the United States its rights. privileges.
properties and concessions and its
shares in the Panama Railroad.
The group Of small islands in the
Bay of Panama, named Perico. Naos.
Culebra and Flamenco. are included
within the canal one and the United
States Government is to have the use
and occupation Of them.