Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-04-01
The Protection or American Cittsens I'm
Foreign Territory.
10 the Editor Of TIE EVENING SrAR:


Recent intelligence from Panama again
brings the people and government of the United
states face to face with very serious and far
reaching international relations, the peaceful
settlement Of which 10 much to be desired.
Passing events recall like occurrences at Pan
anna on the 18th day OF April, 1855, refer
ring to which Mr.. Marcy, in q communication.
dated December Sd, 1856, addressed to the
special ENJOYS and ministers plenipotentiary
the government Of New Grenada (now one Of
the United States OF Colombia) had not tn g
ability to maintain order and afford security,
she was bound to agree to any fair arrange
ment to accomplish those objects. And IL was
then that Mr.. Marcy, Secretary OF State,
a draft of a treaty to be submitted to New
Granada, which is as remarkable q state paper
In this relation as exists in the archives OF the
department Ifthese suggestions had been then
insisted upon by our government, the best in.
terests Of both New Grenada and the United
States would have been greatly advantaged;
and all international controversy and compli-
cation over an interoceanic canal or an In
ternational railroad would have been definitely
fortunately, however, Mr.. Marcy's term as the
head OF the departm ent Of foreign affairs ex-
pired, and his successor did not adopt and
The march of events continued, and after Mr..
Seward became Secretary ofState, his attention
was sharplycailedt to the Importance ofthe policy
y
tempted to carry 1t out in substance, but un-
successfully, owing TO the then peculiar objec-
lions fnterpOSed by the Colon bian government,
presumably under foreign and sinister in
huences, which were adverse and antagonistic
to the United States.
The policy outlined by Mr. Marcy. and sought
to be carried out by Mr.. Seward, proposed con-
cessions and grants of territory and territorial
jurisdiction, under treaty stipulations, from
New Grenada Colombia under which the Uni
ted States assumed to maintain security to life
and protection to property on the fsthmus. This
language was significant: .'This security is not
for the exclusive benefit Of the United States,
all other nations, and TO the railroad company
uhtch has her guarantee for that security
There is a present consideration which must
now more than ever be kept In view by the
government of the United States; and that is q
well grounded belief, which is an open secret,
and which the very astute Colombian diplomats
have sometimes inadvertently exposed in di.
| that is the actual controlling power Of foreign
state influence and intrigue in Colombian POI
litical affairs that has been systematically ad-
verse to the United States.
There is no more delicate matter In respect to
International relations Of q state than the
and rights OF its citizens in foreign territory;
and the present state Of affairs, which involves
serious and probable lasting consequences, will
no doubt receive from the administration the
attention it deserves. In the meantime the
press and the public should not be hasty In crit
iciZing and condemning the action or non
action of American officials before all the facts
our government to discover the real criminals
and their aiders and abettors, rather than to
furnish q scapeSoat TO satisfy popular clamor.
CITIZEN.