The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-10-25

OIL Europe lof o JOINT guarantee OF the 18th
mus and sovereignty Of Colombia
the Department addressed q letter o
instruction to the United States Minister q
London. An identical note was sent eacl
American Minister in Europe. Secretary
Blaine, in his letter OF instruction says: /
has fallen under the observation of thu
President, through current statements o
the European press and other usual chan
nels oil communication, that the great pow
ers OF Europe may possibly be considering
the subject jointly guaranteeing neutrality
in the inter.oceanic canal now projected
across the lsthmus OF Panama, The
United States recognizes u proper guarantee
OF neutrality as essential to the Construc'
tiOn and successful operation OF any high
way across the Isthmus Of Panama, and
more than third OF century ago this
government took every step that
It deemed requisite in the prem.
ises for the necessity flreeSl and
abundantly provided for long in ad.
vance OF any possible call for the actual
exercise OF the power. In 1916 memoir
able and important treaty was negotiated
and signed between the United States OF
America and the Republic OF New Grenada,
now the United States OF Colombia, BY
the 18th article OF that treaty, in exchange
i0feceEtain concessions made 10 the United
States We guaranteed positively and
eiilcacIously the perfect neutrality OF the
isthmus and OF any inter.oCeanic Commu-
niCations TINT might be constructed upon
or over 1t for the maintenance OF free transit
from sea to sea, and We also guaranteed
that the rights and sovereignty Of property
of the United States OF Colombia over the
territory OF the isthmus as included within
the borders OF the State Of Panama,
In the judgment Of the President this
guarantee given by the United States Of
America does not require the reinforcement
or accession or assent from any other power,
In more than one instance thlsgovernment
has been called upon TO vindiCate the neu-
trality OF this guarantee, and there Is no
contingency now foreseen or apprehended
In which such vindication would not be
within the power OF this nation, II the
foreshadowed action OF the European Pow
ers should assume tangible shape, 1t would
be well for you to bring to the notice Of
Lord Granville the provisions Of the treaty
of 1910, and especially Its thihy-tiith article,
and to Intimate to him that any movement
In the sense Of supplsmenting the guaran.
tee contained therein would be regarded
by this Government us an uncalled for in
trusion into field where local and general
interests OF the United States OF America
must be considered before those of any
other power, save those OF the United States
OF Colombia alone, which has already de-
rived and will continue 10 derive such emf.
ncnt advantage from the guarantee OF this
government II Is not the wish or purpose
Of the United States TO interfere with lany
commercial enterprise In which the citi-
zeIs or subjects OF any foreign powers may
SEQ fltto embark under lawful privileges.
Tho iact that the stock and franchises OF
the Panama Canal or Panama Railway be-
ing owned in Europe, either whole
or principally, Is moro subject to
complaint on the part Of the United
States than Is the circumstance that the
stock Of many Of It's own great lines OF rail-
way is largely held abroad. The policy OF
the United States Is one Of peace and
friendly intercourse with every govern.
ment and people. This disposition Is
frankly avowed and Is mOreoyerabundant-
y shown in the fact that ourarmaments by
land and sen arc kept within such
limits as to afford no ground for distrust
or suspicion OF menace to the other MI.
tiOns. The agreement entered into by this
Government in lS4B was manifesty In tho
interest Of peace and the necessity impos-
ed by circumstances upon the United
States OF America to watch over the
high way between It's. two coasts
was 80 imperative that resultant
guarantee was the simplest Justice to the
chief interests concerned. Any attempt
tosupersede that guarantee by an agree
ment between the European powers, which
maintain vast armies and patrol the sea
with immense fleets, and whose interest In
tho canal and Its operation can never be 30
vital and supreme as ours, would
partake OF the nature Of an alliance
against the United States, and would be
regarded by this Government rs indica-
tive Of unfriendly feeling. Itwould be but
an Inadequate response TO the good will
we bear them and to our cheerful and
constant recognition Of their own rights Of
domestic policy, us well as those resulting
from proximity, or springing from neigh.
borly interests. 60.
In his address upon taking the oath Of
office, the President distinctly proclaimed
the position the Governmental the United
States would hold upon this question, and
II the European cabinets have failed to oh.
serve or give due heed to tho declarations
then made, II may be well for you on some
proper occasion TO call the attention OF the
Of Foreign Affairs 10 the language
used by the President. -UH -