The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1881-11-04
The Panama Canal Question.
WASHINGTON, October a

WASHINGTON, October "A.
The President to-day sent to the Senate
the report Of the Secretary of State in an
swer to the resolution Of October II inquir-
Ing what steps the Government had taken
to protect the rights of the United States in
the Panama Canal.
Secretary Blaine, in his communication to
the President, reports that having learned
since the adjournment of Congress of the
rejection by Colombia of the protocol neco-
tiated by the representatives of the United
States with that Republic, which it was
hoped would secure treaty satisfactory to
both, and being informed by the Minister OF
the United States in COlombia that the Gov
eminent of Colombia, by its public acts, was
avOwing its desire TO terminate the treaty OF
1916, and appeal to the powers Of Europe
for Joint guarantee of neutrality OF the
Isthmus 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, says:
cit has fallen under the observation OF
the President. through the current state,
ments of the European press and other usuaI
channels Of communication, that the great
sidering the subject of guaranteeing
the neutrality of the lnteroceanic
Canal now projected across the 18th
mus of Panama. The United States
recognizes proper guarantee OF neutraiity
as essential to the construction and success
ful operation Of any highway across the
Isthmus of Panama, and more than third
of a century ago this Government took every
step that is deemed requisite in the prem,
Uses. The necessity was fOreseen ana
abundantly provided for long in advance OF
any possible call for the actual exercise OF
power. In 1916 a 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
fifth article Of that treaty, in exchange
for certain concessions made to the United
States, we guaranteed positively and eff
caciously perfect neutrality OF the isthmus
of any interOceanic communications that
might be constructed upon or Overlt Tor 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 isthmus,
, as included within the borders OF the State
of Panama. In the judgment OF the Presl-
dent, this guarantee given by the United
, States of America does not require reln-
, fOrcement, or accession, or assent from any
other power. In more than one Instance
this Government has been called upon to
yindicate the neutrality thus guaranteed,
and there is no contingency now foreseen
; or apprehanded in which such vindication
would not be within the power OF this Ma
ton.
: pean powers should assume tangible shape,
, Il would be well for you to bring to the
notice Of Lord Granville the provisions Of
. the treaty of 1916, and especially its thirty
fifth article, and to intimate to him that any
movement in the sense OF experimenting the
guarantee contained therein would neces"
q sarily be regarded by this Government as an
uncalled for intrusion into field where the
local and general interests OF the United
J, States of America must be considered before
= those of any other power save those OF tne
i United States Of Colombia alone, Whicn mas
o already derived and will continue to derive
such eminent advantages from the guaran-
tee of this Government. 1t IS not the WISE
y nor purpose of the United States to inter-
y fere with any commercial enterprise IN
:. which the citizens or subjects of any for
:, eign power may see tit to embark under
lawful privileges. The fact that the stock
It and franchises of the Panama Canal
il or the Panama Railway is being owned
v in Europe, either in whole or principally, is
> no more subject OF complaint OIL the part
q of the United States than is the circumstance
n that the stock Of many OF its own great lines
q of railway is largely held abroad. The pol.
n icy of the United states is one OF peace ana
friendly intercourse with every government
l. and people. This disposition is frankly
II ayowed, and it is moreover abundantly
% shown in the fact that our ornaments, by
% land and sea, are kept within such limits as
y to afford no ground for distrust or suspicion
of menace to other nations. The agreement
entered into by this Government IN 1916 was
= manifestlv in the interest Of peace, and the
"a necessity imposed by circumstances upon
% a highway between its wOcOasts was so I'M
~ perative that the resultant guarantee was
70 the simplest justice to the chief Interests
=, concerned. Any attempt to supersede
. that guarantee by agreement between the
IL European powers. which maintain Vas
l. armies and patrol the sea with immense
re fleets, and whose interest in the canal and
:. its operation can never be so vital ana SUI
!, preme as ours, would partake OF the nature
l. Of an alliance against the United States, anC
Ut would be regarded by this Government a:
l. an indication Of unfriendly feeling. ltwOulC
r be but an inadequate response to the gOoC
will We bear them. and to our cheerful and
y constant recognition of their own rights CT
l. domestic policy, as well as OF those resuitln.
l. from proximity, or springlng from neigh
?: borly interests. =,
IL Office, the President distinctly proclaimed
the position the Government would hOlt
re- upon this question, and if the European
Cabinets have failed to observe and give du
y. heed to the declarations then made, it ma.
I'll be we'll for you on some proper occasion u
Il. call the attention of the Minister of FOreiSl
ke Affairs to the language used by the Presl
Il. dent.'