Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-21
BOGOTA PAPERS
Transmitted to the Senate by
Secretary Hay.
They Show Transactions Regarding
Canal So Far as They Went.
Colombia Wanted More for Rights
Than She'll Ever Get.

Roosevelt, Saturday, transmitted TO
the house the third instalment of pa
pers relating to the recent revolution
on the fsthmus Of Panama.
The papers comprise the correspond
ence between the state department and
Minister Beaupre at Bogota, relative to
the Hay-Herran treaty, consisting OF
120 letters and kilograms sent between
March IS and Nov. IS, 1903.
April Z, Secretary Hay telegraphed
Mr.. Beaupre to notify Colombia that
the matter of requests of Colombia to
canal and railroad companies for ap-
pointment of agents to negotiate can
collation. of the present concessions was
covered by the treaty land any change
would be in violation of the Spooner
law and not permissible"
April IL, Mr.. Beaupre reviewed again
at length the feeling in Colombia to-
ward the treaty. On its negotiations,
he says:
Il am convinced the public had never
expected better terms"
In a letter on the subject Of adverse
public opinion to the treaty Mr.. Beau
pre- says:
at is utterly impossible to convince
these people that the Nicaragua route
was ever seriously considered by the
United States; that the negotiation con-
corning it had any other motive than
the squeezing of an advantageous bar
gain out Of Colombia; nor that any
other than the Panama route ever will
be selected"
The public discussion, he says, was
largely along the line of the loss of
national honor by the surrender of
sovereignty; while private discussion
was to the effect that the price was
inadequate.
Mr.. Hay, May 30, asked whether
there was any Opposition from Euro
pean sources, and pronounced the sit
uation seemingly grave"
On June Q. Mr.. Hay sent to Mr..
Beaupre this telegram:
1.-The Colombian government appar-
emily does not appreciate the gravity
OF the situation. The canal negotia-
tons were initiated by Colombia and
were theoretically pressed upon this
government for several years.
1.-THE propositions presented by Co
Iombia with slight notifications were
finally accepted by US.
I'm virtue of this agreement our Con-
greSs reversed its previous judgment
and decided upon the Panama route.
If Colombia should now reject the
treaty or unduly delay its ratification,
the friendly understanding between the
two countries would be 50 seriously
compromised that action might be TAX
en- by the Congress, next winter. which
every friend Of Columbia would regret"
On June 10, Mr.. Beaupre wrote a de-
cided effort was being made to change
public opinion into more favorable
consideration of the treaty.
Mr.. Beaupre said he had been in
formed by Mr.. Mancini, agent at Ia
gotta, of the Panama Canal Co, that he
had been told ratification could be Sc
cured by payment of s10,000,000 from the
canal company to the Colombian gov
eminent.
On July g. Mr.. Beaupre sent the fol-
lowing confidential telegram to Sec
HAY:
"Have received information private
ly that paraphrase of your cipher tel
egram Of June 9. was received in the
Senate secret session; created sensa-
ton. Construed by many as a threat
of direct retaliation against Colombia
In case the treaty is not ratified. This
and the statement of just arrived mem
bers of Congress from Panama that this
department would revolt If the treaty
Is not ratified, caused alarm, and the
effect is favorable"
Minister Beaupre telegraphed Sec.
Hay, July Q, that he had been informed
by a prominent Colombian that the
treaty could not be ratified without
two amendments. one increasing the
price to be paid Colombia by the United
States to $l5, 1000, 900, and another re-
quirng the payment Of $10,00O,0o0 to
Colombia by the Panama Canal Co.
A reply to this was sent by Sec. Hay
that neither of the proposed amend
ments would stand any chance of ac-
ceptance by the United States Senate.
In later dispatch Sec. Hay Informed
Mr.. Beaupre regarding the proposed
amendments:
1.-THE President would not submit to
our Senate an amendment in that sense,
but would treat it as violating the ne
COLLATION. and bringing about a failure
to conclude satisfactory treaty with
Colombia"
On Aug. II. Mr.. Beaupre cabled that
Pres. Marraquin informed him that he
should secure the passage Of a law au-
thorizing him to continue and finish ne
gotiations for canal, but under what
conditions he could not state.
Under rate Of Sept. 5, Mr.. Beaupre
gave the conditions of this proposed
law. 1t authorized the President of Co
lombia to conclude treaties for the ca
nal or contract for the same with pri-
waite parties; the price named was &c.,
OOO, 900 from the canal company and
10000, 900 from the contracting parties
or government; the concession to run
100 years and lease not to include Pana-
a ma or Colon; an annual rental of $780,
600 was fixed until 1867, lease renewable
every 100 years on payment Of 20 per
cent. increase; Colombian sovereignty
over whole territory and inhabitants:
police and sanitary regulations wholly
Colombian; time limit to be fixed for
completion o. work.
Mr.. Beaupre remarked that 1t was
highly probable that even these terms
would not be acceptable to the Colom-
bian Congress.
Under date of Sept. 10 Mr.. Beaupre
no blod TINT tho re.Orf of the commit