Mr. Beaupré to Mr. Hay.
Bogotá, June 20, 1903.
Sir: I have the honor to confirm my telegram of this date, which should read as follows:
June 20, 5 p.m. Extra session of Congress convened to-day. Joaquin Velez, president of the Senate; José Medina Calderón, president of the Chamber of Representatives. The President’s message deals with canal convention as follows: “To my Government has been presented this dilemma; either it lets our sovereignty suffer detriment or renounces certain pecuniary advantages, to which, according to the opinion of many, we have a right. In the first case to consent to the sacrifice of our sovereignty and not aspiring to great indemnification, the just wishes of the inhabitants of Panama and other Colombians would be satisfied if the canal were opened, but the Government would be exposed to the charge afterwards that it did not defend our sovereignty and that it did not defend the interests of the nation. In the second case, if the canal is not opened by Panama the Government will be accused for not having allowed Colombia that benefit which is regarded as the commencement of our aggrandizement. I have already allowed my wish to be understood that the canal should be opened through our territory. I believe that even at the cost of sacrifices we ought not to put obstacles to such a grand undertaking, because it is an immensely beneficial enterprise for the country, and also because once the canal is opened by the United States our relations will become more intimate and extensive, while our industries, commerce, and our wealth will gain incalculably. I leave the full responsibility the decision of this matter brings with Congress. I do not pretend to make my opinion weigh. When I have given instructions to our representative in Washington it has been coupled with the order that the decision of this important matter must be left with Congress. After years in which the question has been treated in a vague way without precise conditions, it is now presented in a way to obtain practical and positive results. It has been our indisputable diplomatic triumph that the Senate and Government of the United States should declare, notwithstanding every effort to the contrary, the superiority of the Colombian route.”
I am, sir, your obedient servant,