The Kemper herald. (Scooba, Miss.) 1875-1908, 1903-09-24
THE PANAMA
CANAL TREATY.
The Time Limit for Ratification Has
Expired.
RACE QUESTION In MARYLAND.
Democratic Convention Of That State
Has Set q Pace Which Other States
May Pollow-.Confederate Records and
Data Being Collected Up.

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Washington, D. C.-The time lim-
itation for the ratification OF the Hay
Herran Panama canal treaty has ex-
pired and Is incumbent upon the
administration to say whether or not
the reasonable time" agreed to by
the United States senate has elapsed.
Five months were given for the Col
ombian Congress to consider the treaty
and for an exchange Of ratihcations.
Neither government has yet requested
any extension OF time, and presume
bly, NO extension will be given. Had
the time OF the Colombian Congress
been consumed by debates or filibus-
tering tactics, there might be some
logical grounds for extension, but in
asmuch a. the matter was settled
weeks ago, SO far as the original treaty
was concerned, new period would be
useful to the Colombians only to con-
tinue trying to squeeze ton millions
out Of the Panama Canal Company.
The Colombian Charge d'Affsires, DR..
Herrsn, realizes the gravity of the
situation, but says he has not had any
instructions to request an extension OF
the time for ratification, nor has the
American government intimated, so
far as known, that 1t is anxious to
grant it. In some quarters the sug-
gestion is made that real stumbling
block to the ratification Of the treaty
might be removed if the new Panama
Canal Company would consent to the
payment to Colombia OF stipulated
portion of the $40 ,OO). 900 which it is
to receive from the American Govern
ment for its rights, franchises and
property along the route Of thu pro-
posed canal. According to the bill re-
ported to tho Colon bian Senate, that
government wants $40, 200 900 of this
money, but it is believed by some per-
sons familiar with South American af-
fairs that q compromise might be
reached whereby half that amount
would be accepted by Colombia. The
latter governbent thinks she is enti-
tied to some portion of the money. 1t
is also suggested that Colombia might
be willing to forego insistsnce ON some
Of the other important amendments
which have been proposed, il she were
compensated by the Panama Canal
Company.
The declaration Of the Maryland
Democratic Convention on the race
question was received with great in
terest by Democratic members Of Con-
gress in Washington. Talks with
them indicated that they thought the
Maryland Democracy had paved the
way for clear delineation OF the
whole problem and that it would be
fruitful Of important results. The
opinion 10 expressed that other Demo
cratic State conventions. to be held
either this year or next, will follow
the example set by the Maryland Con-
vsntion. It has been apparent for
some time that the race issue is to be
an important one in the next national
campaign. The action OF the Mary
land Convention is regarded as en-
phasizing its importance. Following
The declaration OF the Maryland Con-
vention will come to the fight In Con-
gress next winter. Democratic lead
srs have asserted recently. that the
republicans must be brought out on
NE issue. The case IL TO be put
plainly. The question to Republicans
On both floors of Congress will be
Doe You intend to stand by the Presi-
dents policy on this subject or do you
purpose to repudiase it? There can
be no avoidance of the Issue.
The Chinese Minister has called at
ihe State Department and laid before
Acting Secretary Ades . telegram
which he had received from the
Chinese Consul General at San Fran
sisco, detailing an attack made on a
aumbsr Of Chinese at Tonapah Idaho.
The Consul General reported that the
labor union Of that pla,e drove all
,hs Chinese away, and that seven or
pight we're severely injured.