No. 13. PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE GIVING CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN UNITED STATES AND COLOMBIA. [Senate Document No. 51, Fifty-eighth Congress, second session.] CORRESPONDENCE CONCERNING THE CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND COLOMBIA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTEROCEANIC CANAL ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, TRANSMITTING A REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, WITH ACCOMPANYING PAPERS, CONCERNING THE CONVENTION BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND COLOMBIA FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN INTEROCEANIC CANAL ACROSS THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. [December 19, 1903: Read; referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations and ordered to be printed.] To the Senate and House of Representatives: I transmit, for the information of the Congress, in connection with the correspondence already transmitted relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama, and contained in House Document No. 8, Fifty-eighth Congress, first session, parts 1 and 2, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers, concerning the convention between the United States and Colombia for the construction of an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama. THEODORE ROOSEVELT. WHITE HOUSE, Washington, December 18, 1903. The PRESIDENT: The undersigned, Secretary of State, has the honor to lay before the President, with a view to their transmission to Congress for the information of that body, in connection with the correspondence already transmitted, relating to the recent revolution on the Isthmus of Panama, and contained in House Document No. 8, Fifty-eighth Congress, first session, parts 1 and 2, copies of the correspondence between the Department of State and the legation of the United States at Bogotá concerning the convention between the United States and Colombia for the construction of an interoceanic canal across the Isthmus of Panama. Respectfully submitted. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, December 18, 1903. JOHN HAY. 1 See Nos. 11 and 12, appendix. Mr. Hay to Mr. Beaupré, [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, April 7, 1903. Referring to requests of Colombia to canal and railroad companies for appointment of agents to negotiate cancellation of the present concessions, et cetera, if the subject arises inform the Colombian Government that the treaty covers entire matter, and any change would be in violation of Spooner law and not permissible. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. HAY. No. 741.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: The matter of the ratification of the Panama Canal convention is intensely interesting to the people of this capital, and there is much public discussion of it. Without question public opinion is strongly against its ratification, but, of course, public opinion in Colombia is not necessarily a potent factor in controlling legislation. It is quite impossible to come to a definite conclusion as to the outcome until the result of the recent elections for members of Congress is known. It has been generally thought that the Government would be able to control the elections and that the members returned would be favorable to the administration's view on the canal question; but there has been serious disappointment to the governmental party in the result of some of the elections heard from, prominent and able members of the National Party, opposed to the Marroquin administration and to the canal convention, have been elected. Ex-President Caro and Gen. Pedro Nel Ospina, Nationalists, are to represent the Department of Antioquia in the Senate. It seems altogether probable that unless the Government is thoroughly in earnest in its desire to have the convention ratified, it will not be done; and there is a possibility that it may not go through in any event. There is no public information as to the date at which the Congress will be called, but from private source I am given to understand that it will be about the 20th of May, owing to the slowness of returns from remote election districts. It is apparent lately that the French Canal Company is to take a decided interest in securing the ratification of the convention, and that its influence to that end will be of much importance. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. M. BEAUPRÉ. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. No. 6.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to advise you that within the last month there has been such a sudden outburst of controversy, both in the Bogotá press and among the public in this city, with regard to the Panama Canal convention that I feel it my duty to report on what I regard as the chances for and against its passing Congress. During the long revolution which has but lately come to an end the measures employed by the Government to prevent public discussion of affairs of state had the effect of destroying anything like public opinion. It may have been for this reason that when, in the early part of February last, news came of the signing of the canal convention complete apathy on the subject seemed to reign, as far as the general public was concerned. The financial crisis had, previous to this announcement, reached a most acute stage, and the only feeling expressed was that of relief at the prospect of receiving $10,000,000, which was then considered sufficient to put in reasonably good condition the finances of the country. I am convinced I am right in saying that the public had never expected better terms. The proof is that when the news of the signing of the convention came foreign exchange ran down from 10,000 per cent to 6,300 per cent, and when it was rumored that the United States Senate had refused its assent a panic immediately ensued on the market, and exchange at once rose again to over 10,000 per cent. This was the state of affairs until General Fernandez, the minister of Government in charge of the ministry of finance, issued a circular to the Bogotá press (which had suddenly sprung into existence), inviting discussion on the canal convention. The circular was to the effect that the Government had no preconceived wishes for or against the measure; that it was for Congress to decide, and Congress would be largely guided by public opinion. At the same time what purported to be a translation of the text of the convention was published. Since then a complete revolution in feeling has taken place. From approbation to suspicion and from suspicion to decided opposition have been the phases of change in public sentiment during the last month. The newspapers of the city are full of strongly worded articles denouncing the convention, and, in general, these articles show the most bitter hostility to a scheme which they represent as being the attempt of a strong nation to take an unfair advantage of the crisis through which Columbia is passing, and, for a paltry sum, rob her of one of the most valuable sources of wealth which the world contains. So ridiculous are the facts brought forward by these journalists in support of their arguments that they are not even worth comment. As, for instance, I may mention that one of the most widely read of the newspapers states, and brings forward a whole collection of figures in support of its statement, that on the initial deal alone the United States starts with a clear profit of $190,000,000. Absurd as such statements are, they voice the opinions and convictions of the Bogotá public. This fact is clear, that if the proposed convention were to be submitted to the free opinion of the people it would not pass. The Congress about to assemble has been elected under the supervision of Government officials, and a system of quite indigenous wirepulling has undoubtedly been used; and yet if Congress, as now constituted, were allowed to give a free vote I feel convinced the convention would not be ratified. This, then, is the present state of affairs. As to what will happen it is impossible to predict; yet this much seems certain to me, if it is the wish of the Government that the convention be ratified it will be done. It now seems likely that Congress will be convened about the 25th of May next for twenty days. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. M. BEAUPRÉ. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. No. 10.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to refer to your telegram of the 7th instant, confirmed elsewhere, in regard to the negotiations for the cancellation of the present concessions of the Panama Canal and Railroad Companies. The subject had not arisen, within my knowledge, but I deemed it best, in two interviews with the minister for foreign affairs, to bring. the conversation as cautiously as possible to a point that would enlighten me. I can not say that his excellency showed any disposition to be entirely frank in the matter, but sufficient was said to elicit from him the information that such negotiations were at least under the consideration of the Colombian Government, if not actually started. I then imparted to the minister the purport of your telegram of the 7th instant, whereupon he requested me to convey those instructions officially. This I did in a note, copy of which I herewith transmit. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. M. BEAUpré. [Inclosures.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, His Excellency Dr. LUIS CARLOS RICO. Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, etc. SIR Referring to the two interviews I have had with your excellency, in which the question of the negotiations for the cancellation of the present concessions of the Panama Canal and railroad companies and other matters were brought up, I have the honor to inform your excellency that I am in receipt of instructions from my Government on the subject. I am directed to inform your excellency, should the subject arise, that the entire matter above referred to is covered by the recently signed convention between the Republic of Colombia and the United States on the 22d of January last. Moreover, that any change would be in violation of the Spooner law and therefore not permissible. I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to your excellency the assurance of my highest consideration. No. 13.] Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. A. M. BEAUPRÉ. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, Bogota, April 27, 1903. SIR: I have the honor to advise you that it seems quite impossible to tell just when the Congress will be convened. Forty days' notice is required, and no notice has as yet been given. |