New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-03-10
CANAL CASES In COURT.
Roth Sides Present ArgumeHts-W.
RO's Statements.

Paris. March 9-The case OF Colombia against
the Panama Canal Company came up to-day
before the First Chamber Of the Tribunal Of the
Seine. NJ. Ditto presiding There are two cases
before the court the first seeking 10 prevent the
transfer OF The canal concession to the United
States and the other relative to the right OF
Colombia to hold shares in the company. The
arguments to-day were upon the first case
Both sides were represented by q strong array
o: counsel.
The opening argument in behalf Of Colombia
was made by CASTOR Brunei. he cited the orig
f1al concession requiring the express authorize
ton % Colombia before any transfer could De
valid, and asserted that Panama did not now
axist as free and independent state. but was
simply revolutionary organization. The rights
which Colombia acquired under the terms OF
the original concession were inalienable. and
could not be taken UP by Panama. even II
regular government existed.
NJ. du Butt. one Of the leading lawyers in the
Humbert proceedings. spoke for the company.
He insisted on the regularity OF the organiza-
ton OF the government Of Panama, declared all
the rights OF Colombia had been extinguished'
and said the company was bound TO recognize
the condition Of superior force which transferred
the sovereignty over the canal route from
Colombia TO Panama.
Counsel for Bonaparte Wyse, the original con-
cessionaire. and NJ. Raymond. IN behalf Of Co
lombla as a shareholder, we're also heard.
Owing to the reports Of a hitch in the Panama
Canal negotiations. Ambassador Porter invited
NJ 30 to call at the embassy. where they held
a long conference this morning. NJ 30 MAIN
tanned that there is not the slightest obstacle
to the completion OF the transfer OF the canal
corupany's property to the United States He
added that when Messrs Cromwell and Russell
arrive here the company's expert, who recently
returned to Paris from Panama, and Is talnll-
lar with all the company's property there, VIII
be assigned TO join them, go over the lnVth-
tories fully. and execute the details OF the
transfer NJ. 30 particularly emphasized tne
need for concluding the transfer before april %
saving that every formaIity. legal and other
wise would be effected before that date.
Concerning the suits against the company NJ
30 explained that the one involving Coombia's
right 10 hold shares in the company was wholly
a question between Colombia and the company,
the United states not being directly or indl-
Relative 10 the suit seeking TO prevent the
company from transferring its concession. on
the ground that Colon bia has not given her as
sent NJ 30 maintained that the requirement Of
securing Colombia's assent ceased when her
sovereignty over the canal route passed from
Colombia to Panama. Furthermore, NJ 30 SAID
the governmental and legal authorizes were
ready 10 cooperate and facilitate the transfer.
At the Foreign Office II was stated that no
information had been received there in regard
10 the reported appeal OF the bondholders OF the
old canal company 10 protect their interests
the officials holding that the entire question Is
Government influence is decidedly favorable 20
winding up the transfer. and viii not encourage
new protests obstacles.
Al the Office Of J. T. Morgan Co. fiscal
agents for the Republic of Panama. cable re-
port from London that the 100000 due that
republic had already been paid was yesterday
said 20 be untrue. London rumors that Ameri-
can interests had purchased - per cent Of the
Panama Canal Company's stock were also de-
cla-cd iu good quarters 10 be much exaggerated.
Some ~ the shares were bought by capitalists
here. 10 was s.i3. IUf only "a relatively small
quantity. and part OF these purchases We're dis
posed 81 when the price to le paid the Panama
Canal Company was finally iNed az S4o.ND.t'p-
AccorduE Oh q dispatch from Washington 70
one ~ the Wall Street news bureaus yesterday
70 is stated officially at th" Treasury Depart
uout that 70 is more thar probable that the Sec
Rotary viii lake call FOR government funds
amount ur To S.i0JoO1O from the national
banks in addition 90 the call made FOR the Pan
anna Canal. iu order To raIse the average cash
balance iu the Treasury, which has been lately
steadily declining.