The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1903-11-27
Washington Letter.
(From Our Regular Correspondent.

\f rom Our hegular correspondent.
Secretary Hay has signed
canal treaty with Nj. Varila. the
minister of Panama, by which the
United States acquires absolute SOW.
ereignty over "A strip Of territory FIVE
miles wide on each side of the canal.
the right to enforce sanitary regula-
lations and public peace in the eli,
les of Panama and Colon, possession
Of four islands in the vicinity of the
is,hmus, and the monopoly of any
system of communication, either BY
canal or railroad. In return, our
government guarantees the indepen
dencc of the Republic of Panama.
pays that country $4,000, 900 and
beginning nine years from date of
treaty, an annual rental of $3.50, 900.
The Panama commissioners arrived
in Washington several hours after
the Hay-Bunau. Varilla treaty was
signed by the new minister. They
expressed great satisfaction at the
terms of the treaty, and one of them
will carry the document to Panama
for ratification. 1t is thought that
the assent of Panama will be obtain
ed about Dec, 10, and the treaty
will then be sent to the Senate.
where it is sure to be ratified. The
republicans need two democratic
votes in order to get a two thirds
majority to approve treaty, but in
this case most of the democrats will
support the Administration. The
position of the minority was expires
sed by Senator Bacon of Georgia
who said that although they opposed
the haste and disregard of inter
national law, displayed by the Presi
dent in recognizing Panama, they
would not allow themselves to b,
put on record as opponents of ;
treaty which fastened the construc
ton of canal. The canal is mucl
desired in the Southern States ant
this accounts for the attitude ofmany
Southern Senator'S who would other
wise gladly oppose the Administra
ton.
The Panama government is abou
to be recognized by the European
powers although they declare ,ha
the new republic should assume al
equitable portion Of Colombia'5 debt
which amounts to about SIS, 900, 900
Probably our government will pay
an indemnity to Colombia for tn;
loss of the isthmus.
With the ratification of the new
treaty Panama will become practi
cally part of the possessions of tn,
United States. The right to polio,
the cities and TO dictate sanitary
laws gives US virtual control of Color
and Panama, and we shall doubtless
make use Of our right to fortify tht
canal.
Cuba will be invited to Join the
Union az State if the joint resolu.
tign just introduced in the Senate b;
Senator Newlands passes Congress
The resolution provides that Porto
Rico shall become county of thu
State of Cuba, that the president anC
the vice-president Of the republic
shall be the governor and lieutenant.
governor of the new state and tha
the present bonds about to be issuec
by Cuba shall be given out as bonds
of the state. This may suit Cuba,
but Porto Rica has signifed her dis.
approval of being made county Of
Cuba.
The Cuban reciprocity bill passed
!he House of Representatives by a
vote of 335 to 21, and has been re-
ferred 10 the Committee on Foreign
Relations in the Senate. Unless
some of the Democratic Senator's de-
eide to obstruct the bill, it may be
passed in time to adjourn the extra