As I have already said to you and all my fellow-citizens, I attribute the happy conclusion of the last war to the intervention of the Divine Providence, to whom I equally attribute the fact that the remedy to those evils which gave origin to that war has been able to commence, and from whom I expect for you the honor that your name may appear in our history by those of the legislators, who at an epoch of the greatest decay and backwardness, were clever enough to procure to Colombia, if not the immediate possession, at least the sure hope of the boons that her founders had devised. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Bogotá, July 9, 1903. (Received July 12, 1903.) Confidential. General Reyes has requested me to say to you he does not think the treaty can be ratified without two amendments: To article 1, stipulating payment ten millions by the canal company for the right to transfer; to article 25, increasing payment to fifteen millions, and says that the treaty can be ratified at once with these amendments. He asks your views confidentially. BEAUPRÉ. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Confidential. The majority in the Senate are opposed to treaty. Apparently the Government is not defending the treaty, although it may intend to later. Its fear public opinion and the criticism of the Liberal party very great. The danger is delay, which opposition fights for. I think strong intimation from you through the Colombian minister or this legation that unnecessary delay should be avoided. would be effective. Otherwise debate may continue until September, necessitating instructions communicated by telegraph for exchange of ratifications. BEAUPRÉ. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. No. 78.] LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to report that the Colombian Congress has occupied itself with unimportant and preliminary matters since it convened on June 20 last. Really nothing has been done. The most important and really only question relating to the canal treaty has been the motion made by the opposition to the Government party to the effect that the vice-president must sign the treaty before it can be considered by the Senate. The debate on this question has been going on for many days and the end is not yet. Ex-President Caro has been the leader of the opposition in this debate and has made many brilliant speeches. He has charged the Government with lack of good faith and consistency, both to the United States and Colombia, in not defending a treaty of its own making and for endeavoring to throw the whole responsibility upon Congress. The theory of the discussion is to the effect that if the vice-president signs the treaty the entire responsibility for its making rests with the executive power, while if the vice-president does not sign and the treaty is either ratified or rejected no responsibility can attach to the Executive. The vice-president has positively declined to sign, and if the motion as presented should prevail, and he still refuses his signature, the Senate will not consider the treaty at all, and in all probability Congress will be dissolved. It is understood that a final vote on the motion will be taken on Tuesday next. As near as I can determine, the Government is likely to have a majority of one or two votes, in which case something of a more definite nature can be undertaken. As I informed the Department to-day, in a telegram elsewhere confirmed, there is every prospect of the debates continuing without any decision until September, so that there will be only time to cable Washington just before the 22d of that month of the final action of Congress; and as cablegrams from this capital have often been delayed a month or more, as the Department is aware, there is grave danger in this. If one could know just what would be the attitude of the Government later on, it would be easy enough to predict the outcome, for I still adhere to my oft-repeated opinion that if the Government shall seriously desire it the treaty will be ratified. Its present attitude of washing its hands of the whole matter will not do, for while the House is favorable, there is a declared majority in the Senate against ratification, and only the influence of the Government can win it over. I am inclined to believe, from information obtained at different times, some of which I have reported to the Department, that the Government intends to use its influence later on, and at what it shall deem the proper time, in favor of the treaty. If so, the treaty will be ratified; if not, then it will be defeated. I am, sir, your obedient servant, Mr. Hay to Mr. Beaupré. [Telegram.] ⚫ A. M. BEAUPRÉ. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Neither of the proposed amendments mentioned in your telegram" received to-day would stand any chance of acceptance by the Senate of the United States, while any amendment whatever or unnecessary delay in the ratification of the treaty would greatly imperil its consummation. HAY. a Dated July 9. Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.] UNITED STATES LEGATION, Bogotá, July 15. (Received July 27, 1903.) Confidential. The situation is a little more favorable for the treaty. It is generally believed that it will be ratified, but with amendments. It is possible it can be passed without amendments; but as the belief prevails that additional concessions can be secured, I consider it important that this Government be informed through the Colombian minister or me of your position as to the matter. In any event, I would appreciate secret instructions as a guide in case of emergency. Yesterday the treaty was submitted to a special committee of nine in the Senate, four, and probably more, of whom are for ratification. BEAUPRÉ. No. 83.] Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: As I had the honor to report by cable on the 15th instant, the canal treaty was submitted to a special Senate committee of nine members, four of whom were known to be favorable to ratification. committee is to report on or before the 31st instant. This The Government has continued to triumph on every important question brought forward in Congress. On the 18th instant officers were elected in both houses for the ensuing thirty days. Señor Quientero Calderón, formerly minister of government in Vice-President Marroquin's cabinet, and a staunch Government man, was elected president of the Senate; Gen. Pedro Nel Ospina, now identified with the Government forces, and certainly in favor of the canal treaty, first vice-president. In the House Señor Juan B. Valencia was chosen president. Gradually, but certainly, the situation is growing more favorable for the canal treaty, and while I am not yet prepared to state the positive belief that it will be ratified, I see no reason to be discouraged by the present outlook. The great danger is that there may be enough members of the Senate to carry certain amendments. I have endeavored, not only to keep in touch with the current events, but to create favorable sentiment for the treaty. It has been most difficult to overcome the at one time almost general belief that the United States did not seriously intend to adopt the Nicaragua route should this Congress fail to ratify the treaty, and to make it understood that the great benefit Colombia expected to realize from the construction of the canal depended upon prompt action and could never be secured by future diplomatic negotiations. At times I have thought, from the tone of the conversation of certain opponents, that foreign hostile influences were at work, but I have never been able to be certain of this. If there be opposition from this source, it is of too secret a nature to be discovered, and can not, therefore, be particularly effective. On the whole, I am inclined to believe that no direct hostile influence is being used here, but that, if any exists, it comes through Colombian legations or consulates in Europe. I have certain, but private, information that Doctor Uricoechea, a member of the special Senate committee heretofore referred to, and who lived a great many years in Germany, called on Baron Grünau, the German chargé d'affaires, to inquire what would be the attitude of the German Government in case of trouble arising out of the matter, and whether it would be willing to undertake or aid the construction of the canal in case the treaty with the United States should not be ratified. Baron Grünau replied that he had no instructions bearing upon the subject, but that he was of the positive opinion that, considering how desirous his Government was at the present moment to remain on friendly terms with the United States, it would not take any steps with reference to the construction of the canal or to any controversy growing out of the present negotiations; that he would, however, submit the matter to his Government. My English colleague, with whom I have the most pleasant personal relations, and whose attitude I know has been one of unswerving friendliness to our interests in this matter, informs me that one of the deputies of the Chamber of Representatives called on him with an inquiry similar to the one above mentioned. To this he replied that this question was thoroughly considered by His Majesty's Government at the time the modifications were made in the Bulwer-Clayton treaty, and that his Government was of the opinion that the safeguards contained in the Hay-Pauncefote arrangement formed a sufficient guaranty for the commerce of the world and was, therefore, willing now to leave the United States quite free as regards any further negotiations with reference to the construction of a canal. The generality of the legislators here have thought that further and greater concessions could be obtained from the United States, and that in this particular the treaty could be amended with safety to the interests of Colombia. This has been and is the most stubborn stronghold of the enemy-at all times the most dangerous to us and to it I have given more attention than to all else. It was because of this that I cabled the Department of the importance of informing the Colombian Government, through its minister at Washington or this legation, of its views. To be able to make an official representation would have far greater weight than an expression of opinion. I have reason to know that the Government understands-at any rate, the vice-president does-that amendments are not to be thought of, but I hope to receive instructions from you, when cable communication is reestablished, to bolster up and strengthen this understanding. I have believed that I could, with discretion and propriety, use my influence in creating a favorable sentiment, making the interests of Colombia the basis of my arguments; and I have not hesitated to do this whenever circumstances would permit a conversation with men whose influence would be of avail. I have the satisfaction of knowing that I have accomplished a certain amount of good, and that, whatever be the result, all of the ability and energy which I possess shall be given to the consummation of the Department's desires. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. M. BEAUPRÉ. No. 23.] Mr. Loomis to Mr. Beaupré. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, July 21, 1903. SIR: At the instance of the Hon. John T. Morgan, I have to request that you will forward two copies of the proclamation of Acting President Marroquin, calling the session of Congress to consider the canal treaty, and two copies of the law under which the proclamation was issued. I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCIS B. LOOMIS, No. 85.] Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay. LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: Referring to the Department's telegram of April 7, 1903, to my No. 10 of April 24, 1903, and No. 44 of June 10, 1903, concerning the proposed cancellation of the present concessions of the Panama Canal and Railroad companies, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy and translation of a note received from the minister for foreign affairs on the subject, together with a copy of my reply thereto. As soon as cable communication is reestablished I propose to telegraph the Department the substance of this correspondence. I am, sir, your obedient servant, A. M. BEAUPRÉ. [Inclosure 1.-Translation.] MINISTRY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS, Mr. MINISTER: In your polite note of the 24th of April last, your excellency was pleased to inform me, in accordance with the instructions of your Government. that all that referring to the cancellation of the actual shares of the Panama Canal and Railroad companies, was included in the convention between Colombia and the United States, signed on the 22d of January last, for the opening of the canal. I shall be obliged by your excellency's telling me, as early as possible, if modifications, which, according to the final part of the note referred to, are considered as violating the Spooner law, are only those which concern the concessions of each of the companies, or if they are such also as may be adopted with regard to the (treaty itself) convention spoken of. With this motive, etc., To his excellency A. M. BEAUPRÉ, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, etc. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's polite note of the 21st instant, referring to my note of April 24, 1903, concerning the requests of |