No. 223.] The American Chargé to Secretary Root. AMERICAN LEGATION, Bogota, January 13, 1909. SIR: Referring to this legation's Dispatch No. 185, of October 28,1 last, I have the honor to inclose herewith, a cutting from El Nuevo Tiempo, of this morning, containing the telegrams received here in regard to the signing of the treaties between the United States, this country, and Panama, together with translation thereof. Considerable favorable comment is made in the cutting in question on the character of the treaties as shown by the telegrams received, and, in my interview with the minister for foreign affairs yesterday, he assured me of the satisfaction of this Government with the conclusions reached. The article from El Nuevo Tiempo was inspired by the Government and carefully corrected by Dr. Urrutia himself. It may be taken, therefore, to express official sentiment on the treaties. The minister for foreign affairs showed me a telegram yesterday from Mr. Cortes, stating that Mr. Dawson would leave Washington shortly to bring the treaty just made to this capital. Dr. Urrutia asked me, in this connection, the probable date of Mr. Dawson's departure. I replied that I had not been advised by the Department of State that Mr. Dawson was to leave Washington at any early date. I have the honor to be, sir, PAXTON HIBBEN, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. [Inclosure 2 in No. 223.-Translation.] [El Nuevo Tiempo, January 13, 1909.] Treaty between the United States and Panama. Effecting better conditions than the investigations of ex-Minister Mendoza Perez-The honor of Colombia saved-Colombia will have the right in perpetuity to the use of the canal-Colombia conceded $2,500,000 gold as Panama's participation in our foreign debt-The present treaty surpasses that of the Herrán-HayFuture of Colombia with reference to the Panama Canal-The emerald mines of Muzo saved, thereby assuring the resources for the conversion of paper money and the attainment of stronger capital in gold, changing the economic situation of the countryColombia's foreign credit strengthened and bettered-Drop in foreign exchange-Bogota, with its emerald mines of Muzo and salt mines of Zipaquira, the richest part of Colombia. 1 Not printed; not important. During the ordinary night session of the council of ministers of the 11th instant, the minister for foreign affairs advised the council of the following cablegram: PRESIDENT, Foreign Minister, Bogota: WASHINGTON, January 9, 1909. Treaties United States and Panama signed, bettering former conditions. Colombia conceded free use, in perpetuity, of canal and $2,500,000 gold, participation Panama our foreign debt. CORTES. From London and from Washington we have received the following cablegrams: NUEVO TIEMPO, Bogota: LONDON, January 11, 1909. Press published to-day treaties Colombia, United States, and Panama, by which Colombia is conceded perpetual use, free, of canal, and $2.500,000 gold, participation Panama foreign debt. Press considers treaties satisfactory Colombia, saving its honor and assuring its material interests. Colombia credit strengthened and bettered. Colombia debit bonds rising in price. Railway and other Colombian enterprises will be bettered with treaties and contract emeralds Muzo with company handling diamonds South Africa. Among interested are Rothschild. NUEVO TIEMPO, Bogota: CORRESPONDENT. WASHINGTON, January 10, 1909. Press in relating treaties United States, Colombia, Panama, considers triumph and satisfaction given to Colombia. Is also opinion Latin-American diplomats resident in Washington. CORRESPONDENT. By the former of these cables it will be seen that the Government has finally obtained its just dues, the fruit of nearly five years of persevering and patient labor to save the honor of the country and to secure our great interests in relation with the Panama Canal." The treaty in question must be considered more advantageous to Colombia than the Herrán-Hay treaty, as the latter submitted us to constant humiliations from the domination of a powerful foreign country over our territory-humiliations daily suffered by the Panamans-obliging us to organize the police of the canal and to guarantee the preservation of order of the same, without the means to fulfill this obligation. As recognized by the foreign press, the honor of Colombia is saved, and, consulting our immediate material interests, the most important that we have in relation with the Panama Canal, is the right of free use, in perpetuity, of the same, enabling thereby our merchant marine and war vessels to cross, which will result. perhaps, in far better results to Colombia than to the United States or any other country on the globe, because our immense and rich shores on both oceans shall be united and shall come to be in the future an emporium of riches to which all the Colombians of the country will rush in search of work. Buenaventura, with its railway to the rich valley of the Cauca and the exploitation of the coal mines through which this line traverses, and Cartagena, with its beautiful and safe bay, will be in time. two of the most important ports of the South American Continent, and at no distant date Japanese vessels will proceed to the same to exchange products of the advanced industries of the Land of the Rising Sun with our natural and agricultural products to the mutual benefit of the two countries. It is to be hoped that these treaties will be approved by the legislative bodies of the respective countries. In the same night session of the council of ministers of the 11th instant, the subsecretary of treasury in charge of the office of treasury and finance reported that he had received notice by cable that in London there had been signed a contract with a reputable company whose members intend to exploit and sell South African diamonds. According to this contract they will exploit the Muzo mines, the emeralds therefrom to be sold for account of the Government of Colombia and under its supervision; and the company binds itself during 20 years to account for an annual minimum sale of $1,250,000, gold, at higher prices than those at which these precious stones have lately been sold. We consider that the triumph gained by the country, and which we announce in the cables before mentioned, if they are perhaps not of so much importance and transcendency as harmony between all Colombians and the solid preservation of peace, as the fruits of justice, they must be placed after these, as abundant material resources once placed in the hands of the Government for continuing the promotion of the construction and betterment of railways, cart roads, etc., gold capital will be able to come into the country in sufficient quantities to fill the most urgent needs for money, to the end that the money interest be lowered at least 10 per cent per annum, with which many industries, which to-day do not exist, on account of the scarcity of money, may be established. The Government as well as the banks must occupy themselves largely in providing a circulating medium, in order to avoid any sharp drop in foreign exchange, because it is clear that the country having but a third or fourth part of the coin that is indispensable, and always increasing its scarcity by the growing necessity of meeting the expenses of railroads, mining enterprises, etc., the day may arrive when foreign exchange will drop 10, 20, or 30, as in previous times, when no account was taken of the immense resources just pointed out, exchange used to rise. With the fixed revenue assured by the contract relating to the Muzo mines, which is a minimum of $1,250,000, gold, annually, which can easily be doubled, the Government should be able to obtain a small loan, guaranteed by said revenues, of ten to fifteen millions of pesos, which amount should be destined exclusively to the conversion of the paper money to gold or to gold bank notes, and in this manner change in a few days the painful economic situation of the country to one of abundance and welfare. It is to be hoped that the Government will follow this course, taking advantage of the foreign credit of the country, and so foster the growing confidence which we have in the preservation of peace. The contract signed in London relating to the emerald mines of Muzo proves that the richest part of Colombia is Bogota, or, better said, the interior of the country, as the sole riches mentioned represent a fine annual revenue of some millions of pesos, and if the Muzo mines aggregate the large and inexhaustible banks of salt of Zipaquira and Boyaca, the conclusion is reached that no other sections of the country are more effective and rich than these which benefit the whole nation. Outside of being the capital of the Republic, there is another title possessed by Bogota. It is true that, in times past, it was very diffi cult to reach by the bad means of communication; but to-day, with the completion of the Girardot Railroad, the cart road of the north, having a length of more than 50 leagues, and which will be duly inaugurated on the 20th of July next as an automobile transportation enterprise, according to the contract already signed; the construction of the Las Papas road; the betterment, already under way, of all railways; within a few years this difficulty will have disappeared. We are informed that in the session of the council of ministers, already referred to, all pending questions were settled, and it was resolved that in the future there shall be but one, in place of two, night sessions weekly. We understand that in a number of these sessions-as, for instance, in those of the 24th and 31st of December— the council worked until the following day. We extend our most hearty felicitations to the council of ministers, which, properly speaking, is the Government of the country, who, applying themselves strictly to the constitution and to the laws, have, by their constant and fecund labors, already formed a school for all public employees in all the branches of the administration. These are the fruits of the national concordance, of order, of peace, and of justice. Let us continue our labors. Minister Squiers to Secretary Root. [Telegram.] AMERICAN LEGATION, (Received January 30, 10.22 p. m.) Recent treaty between Colombia and Panama ratified by National Assembly this afternoon without amendment or discussion. Minister of Panama to Secretary Root. [Telegram.] SQUIERS. HAVANA (undated). (Received January 31, 1909, 4.50 p. m.) Secretary Arango cables me that both treaties have been ratified. by Panama. AROSEMENA. Acting Secretary of State to Minister Dawson. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 9, 1909. Department officially advised that Panaman National Assembly has ratified without ainendment treaties between United States and Panama and Panama and Colombia. Use your best endeavors to urge Colombia to take similar action regarding her treaties with the United States and with Panama. BACON. No. 232.] The American Chargé to Mr. Root. AMERICAN LEGATION, Bogota, February 12, 1909. SIR: In reference to the department's cipher telegram of the 9th instant advising the legation that the Government of Panama had ratified the treaties between that country, the United States, and Colombia, I have the honor to inclose herewith a cutting from El Nuevo Tiempo, of this morning, together with translation thereof, announcing the convocation of the National Assembly for the 22d instant to consider the acceptance of the treaties in question. As will be seen from this article, as well as from those transmitted in this legation's Nos. 223 and 227,1 of January 13 and 18, respectively, the treaties are received with favor by both the official and semiofficial organs of the Government, and no doubt is expressed as to their ultimate acceptance by the National Assembly. I have just seen the minister for foreign affairs, who questioned me closely in regard to the acceptance of the treaties by the Senate of the United States, and he assured me that it was the hope and belief of Gen. Reyes that there would not be the slightest difficulty in regard to the ratification of the treaties here. I have the honor to be, sir, PAXTON HIBBEN, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim. [Inclosure 2 in No. 232.-Translation.] [El Nuevo Tiempo, February 12, 1909.] Treaties of Colombia with Panama and the United States.. Favorable stipulations toward Colombia-Convocation of the National Assembly-To reunite February 22-To discuss the treaties and the budget of revenues and expenses. As our readers are already aware, from the reproduction made yesterday of an article from the Panaman periodical, La Estrella, of some of the bases of the treaties which our minister in Washington signed with the representatives of Panama and of the United StatesIn addition to the stipulations mentioned by La Estrella, we understand, on 'good authority, that in the treaties in question there appear the following conditions, which are more favorable to Colombia than those contained in the Herrán-Hay treaty: The isthmian railroad will carry members of the Colombian Army, army provisions, mails, etc., under the same conditions as stipulated by Panama with the United States: The salt from the national salt mines on the Atlantic will be transported free, with no other encumbrance than the wastes of loading and unloading. This concession is of great importance, as on account of the same the ocean salt of our country will be used in place 1 Not included; not important. |