Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.
Bogotá, May 7, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to advise you that in the course of a conversation I had yesterday with one of the ablest and most distinguished [Page 144] of Colombians, who is in close touch with the vice-president and his administration, the question of the Panama Canal convention opportunely and confidentially arose.
His views are interesting and entitled to consideration, and from them I gather that the tremendous tide of public opinion against the canal treaty is appalling to the Government, and there is, in consequence, a diversity of opinion among its members as to the proper course to pursue. Some are in favor of forcing confirmation through Congress, while others, dreading the effect of such action in the present state of the public mind, counsel moderation and delay, and the adoption of measures to change public sentiment into a more favorable channel.
All of the enemies of the Government are united in an onslaught upon the canal convention. Many of them are sincere, of course, in their opposition to the proposed treaty as such, but many more, regarding it as an administration measure and at present unpopular, are assailing it with the indirect object of undermining the Government.
My informant is of the opinion that the convention may eventually be confirmed, but only after much discussion and maneuvering in Congress. The probabilities are that when the measure is presented to Congress there will be a lengthy debate and an adverse vote. Then the representatives of the coast departments of the Cauca, Panama, and Bolivar will ask for a reconsideration, and urge a ratification of the convention as the only means of preventing the secession of those departments and the attempt to constitute of their territories an independent republic. The debate will be resumed and in the end the friends of the Government and of confirmation will prevail.
My informant is on such intimate terms with the chief officers of the Government that I deem it best to transmit his statements for your consideration.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,