Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.
Bogotá, April 15, 1903.
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 [Page 135] attempt of a strong nation to take an unfair advantage of the crisis through which Colombia 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 $180,000,000. 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 wire-pulling 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,