St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-11-05
l.eport from the State Department on
the Panama Canal Question.
WASHINGTON, October a

The President to-day sent to the Senate
the report OF the Secretary of state in an
>wer to the resolution Of October IA inquir-
Ing what steps the Government lad taken
to protect the rights of the United States in
the Panama CanHl.
Secretary Blaine, in his communication to
the President, reports that having learned
since the ad Ournment of Congress of the
rejection by Colombia Of the protocol neso-
tiated by the representatives of the United
States with that Republic. which it was
hoped would secure Il treaty satisfactory to
both, and being informed by the Minister of
the tuiteu States in Colombia that the Gov
eminent OF Colombia, by its public acts, was
avowing its desire to terminate the treaty of
lS4b, ana appeal to the powers Of Europe
for Il joint guarantee Of neutrality Of the
l>thmus and sovereignty of Colombia, the
Department addressed a letter of instruction
to the United States Minister at London.
An identical note was sent to each of the
American Ministers in Europe. Secretary
blaine. in his letter OF instruction, saws:
- 1t mas fallen under the observation of
The President. through the current state
ments OF the European press and other usual
channels OF communication, that the great
powers OF Europe may possibly be con-
>lderln@ the subject of guaranteeing
The neutrality Of the Interoceanic
Canal now projected across the 18th
mus OF Panama. The United States
recognizes proper guarantee of neutrality
as essential to the construction and success
iul operation of any highway across the
lsthmlls OF Panama, and more than third
OF century ago this Government took every
step that Is deemed requisite in the prem
ises. The necessity was foreseen and
abundanty provided for long in advance of
any possible call for the actual exercise of
power. In 1916 memorable 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 forty
NTH article OF that treaty, in exchange
tor certain concessions made to the United
States, we guaranteed positively and eff
caciously perfect neutrality of the isthmus
OF any lnteroceanic communications that
might be constructed upon or over it for the
maintenance of free transit from sea to sea-
and we also guaranteed the rights of sover-
eighty and property of the United States OF
Colombia over the territory of the isthmIs,
as included within the borders of the State
OF Panama. In the judgment of the Presi-
dent, this guarantee given by the United
States of America does not require REIN
forcement, or accession, or assent from any
other power. In more than one instance
this Government has been called upon to
vlndicate the neutrality thus guaranteed,
and there is no contingency now foreseen
or apprehanded in which such vndication
would not be within the power of this Ma
ton.
If the foreshadowed action of the Euro
pean powers should assume tangible shape.
1t would be well for you to bring to the
notice of Lord Granville the provisions OF
the treaty OF 1876, and especially its thirty
fifth article, and to intimate to him that any
movement i'll the sense of experimenting the
guarantee contained therein would neces-
sarily be regarded by this Government as an
uncalied for intrusion into field where the
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 derived and will continue to derive
tee Of this Government. 1t is not the wish
nor purpose of the United States to inter-
fere with any commercial enterprise in
which the citizens or subjects of any for
eign power may see fit to embark under
lawful privileges. The fact that the stock
and franchises of the Panama Cana
or the Panama Railway is being owned
in Europe, either in whole Or principally, is
no more subject of complaint on the part
OF the United States than is the circumstance
that the stock Of many of its own great lines
of railway is largely held abroad. The pol.
Icy of the United States is one of peace and
friendly intercourse with every government
and people. This disposition is frankly
avowed, and it is moreover abundantly
shown in the fact that our ornaments. by
and and sea, are kept within such limits as
TO afford no ground for distrust or suspicion
If menace to other nations. The agreement
entered into by this Government in 1916 was
nanifestly in the interest of peace, and the
imposed by circumstances upon
he United States Of America to watch over
highway between its two coasts was so i'm.
)eratlve that the resultant guarantee was
ne simplest justice to the chief interests
concerned. Any attempt to supersede
nat guarantee by agreement between the
european powers. which maintain vast
rmles and patrol the sea with immense
leets, and whose interest in the canal and
Is operation can never be so vital and SUI
'reme as ours, would partake of the nature J
4 an alliance against the United States, and
you'd be regarded by this Government as
n indication OF unfriendly feeling. 1t would
e put an inadequate response to the good
VIII We bear them. and to our cheerful and
onstant recognition of their own rights OF
omestlc policy, as well as of those resulting
rom proximity, or springing from neigh.
orly interests.
- In his addreSsunor tal- h. IL