Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1903 — SIGN A CANAL PACT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SIGN A CANAL PACT.

TREATY WITH PANAMA COMPLETED AT HAY'S HOME. United State* Given Absolute Sovereignty Over the Cannl Zone—Colombia Is for War, Threatening to March nn Arm? Overland to the Isthmus. A new Pauama canal treaty was signed in Secretory Hay’s house in Washington the other evening, the signers be*

iug Secretary Hay for the United States and M. Bu-nau-Varilla for the republic of Panama. By the new treaty the width of the canal strip is made ten miles instead of six and the United States is granted the use in perpetuity of the canal zone from ocean to ocean, with exclusive con-

trol for police, sanitary and governmental purposes, but ia to have no actual political sovereignty. The republic of Panama is to receive $10,000,000, with an annual payment from the United States Of $250,000, beginning nine years after the ratification. The government of Panama Is to control the courts and police of the terminal cities of Panama and Colon, but if the administration proves unsatisfactory the United States may assume the police nud judicial control. The new Panama Canal Company is specifically authorized to transfer to the United States all its properties, Including ita shares in the Panama Railroad. The Island In the ba? of Panama is included within the canal sons. The United States is given complete authority to police and protect the canal. The republic of Panama agrees not to cede or lease to any foreign government any island or harbor for the purpose of establishing fortifications, naval stations or military posts. The United States agrees to guarantee the integrity of Panama territory, bo far as it relates in any way to the canal sons and specifically disavows any desire to exercise or extend its own political control at the expense of Panama or an? other republic on the American continent Other features of the treaty include those relating to the freedom of the canal to the commerce of the world; the rights of Panama to the collection of the customs at Panama and Colon; the free Importation of material for use in the construction, maintenance and operation of the canal, and the maintenance by the United States of the neutrality of the isthmus of Panama and the canal zone, similar to those in the treaty with Colombia. Colombia Ia for War. Official reply has been made, says the New York Herald’s Bogota correspondent, to the note presented by United States Minister Beaupre, informing the Colombian government that Washington had entered into official relations with the republic of Panama. The reply was framed by Senor Carlos Ricos, minister of foreign affairs, who vigorously defends his government and threatens to march an army on Panama jinless the United States immediately recedes from its position. That the Colombians are willing to fight to maintain their dignity and, if possible, retake Panama, is shown by the strong support offered the government and the popular approval of Minister Ricos' stand. Minister Ricos, in his note to the United States, through Mr. Beaupre, says: “The Colombian government protests energetically at the attitude taken by the United States. By the recognition of Panama and the warning that the United States will not allow Colombia to put down the rebellion the heretofore friendly relations existing between the two governments have arrived at anch a critical State that it is absolutely imposible fto continue diplomatic relations, unless the Washington government should immediately give notice that it has no intention to prevent Colombia from retaking the isthmus or to extend any recognition to the belligerents.” The note concludes by stating that “a prompt reply ia awaited from Washington, as the Colombian army is ready to march on Panama at once." 4

BUNAU-V ARILLA.