Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-01-29
UP TO Tnf SENATE
PANAMA CANAL TREATY 10
TRANSMITTED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
CABINET SATISFIED With u
COLOMBIA AGREED TO ALL
POINTS WITH EXCEPTION OF
ANNUITY.
COMPROMISED THAT AT S250.OOO
RATIFICATION EXPECTED With
OUT ENccuNTERING sERl'
Gus OBSTACLES.
COMPROMISED THAT AT S250.000

WASHINGTON. Jan. 2G. - Yesterday
meeting of the cabinet was one Oh the
most important held in several WEEKS
The subjects of great moment were
discussed fully. the session continuing
for two hours. All the members VI
the cabinet were present. Secretary
Hay leaving his home for the hrst
time in several days to attend the
meeting.
He presented a draft of the Panama
canal treaty signed Thursday evening
and both the president and his assocl-
ates in the cabinet expressed salts
faction with the results achieved
through the long and difficult neSotia-
tions.
The treaty is identical with that
drawn by the government several
months ago and at that time submitted
to the Colombian government with the
single exception of the amount OF an
nuity to be paid Colombia for the right
of way of the canal. This government
proposed an annuity of 100000, while
Colombia demanded sG5o,000. During
the several months OF negotiations
Colombia
Agreed to Al! Points
in the treaty proposed by the United
States with the exception of the an
nuity. For several days active efforts
have been making to secure an agree
ment on this question, but not until
Thursday We're they successful. The
Colombian government then agreed to
accept an annuity OF S250000. This
was entirely satisfactory to the pres
ident and Secretary Hay. and while it
is larger amount than was offered at
first, it is believed by administration
officials that the senate undoubtedly
will accept the figure named in the
treaty, particularly after it is made
clear that a lesser amount would de-
prive Colombia of income which she is
now actually receiving.
All other points than this one of
money compensation remain as they
stood in the original draft of the
treaty and are completely satisfactory
to the United States government. The
United States will have control of the
canal :11;zs.,.,ii
Practically in Pe-petuity.
as required by the Spconer act. The
treaty provides for the payment by the
United States to Colombia of 100000
900 in gold and $25@,ooo annually
thereafter. The lease of a zone six
miles wide for 100 years is granted.
The United States has the right to
send troops to protect it's property i'll
case Colombia cannot do so.
1t was not Mr.. Hays intention to
transmit the signed treaty to the SEN
ate yesterday. but after the president
and he cabinet discussed it the con-
clusion was reached that it would be
advisable to send it to send it to the
senate at the earliest possible mo-
ment. The formal letter of trans
initial, therefore, was prepared at
once and late in the afternoon the
treaty was sent to the senate The
president and members of the cabi-
net are confident that the treaty will
be ratified at a reasonably early date
without encountering serious opposi-
ton. The Venezuelan situation was
discussed at length. but it vas said by
authority that no change in tho atti.
tude OF the United States is in contem-
plation at this time.