The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1885-12-09


ercising only the powers expressly re-
served to US by the treaty, and mindful
OF the rights OF Colombia, the forces
sent to the Isthmus were instructed to
contine their action TO positively and
eff1caclouSIy preventing the transit
and its accessories from being
intercepted or embarrassed. The
execution OF this delicate and re-
sponsible task necessarily involved
police control where the local author
lty was temporarily pOwerless, but al
ways in difference to, and mindful of
the sovereignty of Colombia. The
prompt and successful fultillment of
It's duty by this government was highly
appreciated by the government of Co.
lombia, and has been followed by an
expression of its satisfaction and
high praise to the officers and men en-
gagged in this service. The restoration
of peace on the ISthmus by the re-eS-
adjustment of the constituted govern
ment there being thus accomplished,
the forces of the United States were
withdrawn.
Pending these occurrences question
OF much Importance was presented by
DEGREES of the Colombian government
proclaiming the closure of certain
ports then in the hands of the insur-
gents and declaring vessels held bv the
revolutionistS to be piratical and liable
to capture by any power. To neither
OF these propositions could the United
States assent. An effective closure of
ports not in the possession of the Gov
eminent, but held by the hostile
partiSanS could not be recognized.
Neither could the vessels of insurgents
against the legitimate sovereignty be
deemed Ghosts of insurgents'S within
the precepts of international law,
whatever might be the definition of the
penalty of their acts under the NUM-
cipal law of the State against whose
authority they were in revolt. The
denial by the government OF the Colon
bian propositions did not, however,
imply the admission of belligerent
status on the part of the insurgents.
The Colombian government has ex-
pressed its willingness to negotiate
convention for the adjustment by ar
bitratiOn of the claims by foreign citi-.
ZenS, arising out of the destruction of
the City of Aspinwall by the insurrec-
tiOnary forces.
The interest of the United States in
practicable transit for ships across
the strip of land separating the At
lantic from the Pacific, has been re-
peatedly manifested during the last
half century. My immediate prede-
ceSsor caused to be negotiated with
Nicaragua treaty for the construction
by, and at the sole cost of, the United
States, of canal through Nicaraguan
territory, and laid it before the Senate.
Pending the action of that body there
on, l withdrew the treaty for re-ex-
animation, and an attentive ccnsidera-
ton of its provisions leads me to with
hold it from re-SubmlsSion to the
Senate.
of Presidents from WaShington's days,
which prescribe enlarging entangling
alliances with foreign states, do not
favor policy of acquisition of new
and distant territory, or the incorpO-
ration of remote interests with our
own. The laws of progress are vital
and organic, and we must be con-
SciouS of that irresistible tide of COM
mercial expansion which as the con-
comitant of our active civilization,
day by day is being urged onward by
those increasing facilities of pro-
production, transportation and
communication TO which steam
and electricity have given birth.
But our duty in the present instructs
US to address ourselves mainly to the
development of the vast resources of
the great area committed to our charge
and to the cultivation of the arts of
peace within our borders, though
jealousy alert in preventing the Amer
lean hemisphere from beingIinvolved in
the political problems aud complica-
ton OF distant governments. There
fore, am unable to recommends prop
OSitiOn involving paramount privileges
of ownership or right, outside our ewn
territory, when cOupledWith absolute
and unlimited engagements to defend
the territorial integrity of the State,
where such interests may be.
ISTHMIAN CANAL.
While the general project of con-
Meeting the two oceans by means of
canal is to be encouraged, I am of the
opinion that any scheme to thai end
to be considered with favor shall be free
from the features alluded to. The Te-
huantepec route is declared by engin-
GERS of the highest repute aud by COM
petent scientists to afford an entirely
practical transit for vessels and car
goes by means of aIShip railway from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. The Obvi-
Gus advantages of such route, II
feasible, over others more distant from
the aXial lines Of traffic between
Europe and the Pacific, aud particu-
larly Between the valley of the MissiS-
sippi and the western coast OF
North and South America are
deserving of consideration. What
ever highway may be Constructed
across the barrier dividing the two
greatest maritime areas OF the world
must be for the worlds benetit;a trust
for mankind, TO be removed from the
chance OF domination by any single
power; nor must it become point for
invitation for hOStilities or prize for
warlike ambition. An engagement
combining the construction, owner
ship and operation of such work by
this government with an offensive and
defensive ALLIANCE for its protection
with the foreign state whose RESPONSE
bilities and rights We would share, Is
in my Judgment inconsistent with such
dedication to universal and neutral
use, and would moreover entail meas
ures for its realization beyond the es-
cape of our neutral policy or present
means.
The lapse of years has abundsntly
confirmed the wisdom and foresight OF
these earlier administrations which,
long before the conditions o. maritime
intercourse were changed and enlarged
by the progress of the age, proclaimed
the vital need OF inter-0ceanic traffic