New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-28
HOPE FOR CHANGE IN
COLOMBIA CONCESSION
United States May Ask That
Right to Construct Canal Be
Expressly DisavOWed.
ASKS REPORT ON CONTRACT
Government Wants to Know
the Exact Terms of Agree
ment Made with Pearson
& Son by Colombia.

FROM me tribune Bur'dh
Washington. Sept. c7.-The comment or
THE London Standard" that ut IS not
improbable" that an outcome OF the con-
cession in Colombia sought by Pearson
& Son, Ltd, an English corporation or
great power and influence, Will be the
construction Of an interoceanic canal by
British interests, arouses much comment
in Washington. and the State Department
is making an investigation.
kilograms have been sent 10 the Ameri-
can Legation I'm Bogota instructng the
American diplomatic representative there
10 forward nj once a copy OF the conces-
sion az signed by Lord Murray OF Eli
bank, I'm behalf OF Pearson Son, ana
President Restrepo OF Colombia. and also
n report as 10 the present status OF the
concession, with particular regard TO It's
ratification by the Colombian Congress
II f. understood that the Congress has
not yet taken action on the contract
which requires It's approval
The recent accounts OF the Pearson con-
cession I'm The Tribune. which pointed OUT
the dangerous features Of the blanket
concession procured by the British hrm'
stimulated the State Departments inter
est and brought about action. The con-
tract Is primarily an OIL concession, grant
ing 10 the cOncessionaires the right to
exploit Colombias oil resources, but II
also grants an indiscriminate night Tor
the construction OF such things as canals,
docks. quays. wharves. storage ware
houses. etc What the State Department
wants to know If whether the rights
granted could be stretched 10 include
the construction OF an interoceanic canal
along the Atrato route, or the establish
ment OF harbor works at some port which
might be used as a naval or military base.
lodae Resolution Recalled.
In this latter connection the Lodge reso-
luton OF last year is recalled. AS passed
by the Senate, the resolution declared
against the acquisition by any foreign
CORPORATION OF harbor or other place
that might DO turned into military or
naval base by a foreign power. 10 the
detrirnent OF the interests OF the United
States.
The dissatisfaction OF the British gov
eminent with the attitude OF the United
States on the Panama Cana! tolls matter
and the unfortunate hostility OF Colombia
toward the United States on account or
the Panama revolution and the prompt
recognition OF the new republic by the
United States are two things which serve
20 compllcate the situation.
State Department officials will not go
haft
British government Is actually behind
Pearson & Son in a scheme for the es-
Enlistment OF something that In future
could be used as n naval base. or the con-
struction OF a canal 10 rival the American
waterway across Panama, but 1t is real
lzed that on the surface these things seem
possible az a result OF the Pearson con-
cessIOE.
Possible Solution Suggested.
A possible solution has been suggested,
which would make all misunderstanding
impossible This would be to induce the
Colombian Congress - write into the con
tract statement that nothing in the con-
cession should be considered rs granting
the right TO establish Il naval base In
Colombian waters or permission TO con-
struct an intcroceanic canal
The Secretary OF State is having fire.
quent conferences with the Colombian
Minister, and the Pearson concession Will
probably be taken up. The conferences.
however, concern settlement OF the long
standing dispute between Colombia and
the United States. II has been suggested
that a part OF the settlement should be
some such assurance from Colombia as
Ii outlined above. and also an agreement
to sell the right 10 construct a Colombian
canal TO the United states, Just as Near
aqua has agreed by treaty 70 do with
reference to the Ncaraguan route.
II the Colombian Congress has not rati-
fed the concession there is still time for
the State Department to get the con-
cesslon altered.