The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-28
OUR RIGHTS IN PANAMA..
How American shipping Interests Arc AZ.
Fected by Receiver None hi courf,a Order


fected by Receiver Monchicourt's Order.
WASHINGTON. Nov 27.-ln tho troubles OF
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company on tho
isthnus resort has naturally first been to the
courts. and hereafter there may DO oppor-
tunity for diplomatic correspondence But
meanwhile Congress will have Assem- bled and
should affairs on tho isthmus become critical.
which is not likely to be the case. they would
doubtless be referred to that oiy. and all
the moro since an outgoing Administration
would hardly seek to cmbnrrass or force the
moves OF Its successor in a matter OF national
and not OF party concern.
1t may be worth recalling that when Mr..
Cleveland's Administration came into power.
IN tho spring OF 1885. 1t was at once called
nnon to make a naval demonstration on the
isthmus. 1t sent down an expedition Of war
vessels and landed a force Of marines aud
blueJacEets to protect tho lives and property
OF American citizens there during the insur-
rectlon then prevailing. This It did 10 accord
ance with its treaty pledges to Colombia to
guarantee safe transit across tho isthmus.
But the recent action of the liludator Of the
Panama Railroad Company. in an alleged dis.
elimination against American Shipping inter-
csts. Is quite another matter. and probably be-
iore the 4th OF March will be in train OF solu-
ton by ordinary processes
. "e 'o"ss VI tHe present trouble is the no.
tihcation published u few days ago by Re-
ceiver Monchcourt. tho officer appointed by the
french accommodates charge OF the affairs
oithe Panama Railroad Com pany This notiflca.
ton summarily puts an end, on Feb. /. 1899. to
the existing contracts OF American steamship
lines with that railroad for transporting mer-
chandise across the isthmus by issuing
through bills OF ladng thereon. Indirectly
this net arises out OF the disasters OF tho great
ianama Canal Job. still under heated discus
zion In Paris. which have caused tho French
Government to Interfere. But what concerns
our country Is that q railroad EN- crrrIse. begun
ana carried out by American enterprise and
capital. having been absorbed in a canal un-
dert"kinE OF French origin. may no longer
serve as well as hitherto for the accommoda-
tion OF American commerce.
1t Is easy to see and to say that tho funda-
mental mistake was in permitting the acuui-
sition OF tho railroad by the canal company.
doubtless the reason was that on it's face tho
AFFAIR was simple business transaction, in
Wnich very large price was paid for the road;
a ainn further tiNt even though 1t involved for
transit transit between Colon and Panama. it would
syn be subject to existing treaty stipuia;ions
stipuiations aud tho contracts founded thure.
on would really be violated. or arc not enough
int. as Just protection Of American shipping
t., Ihe temporary Injunction granted on Friday
IN ip. inc Supreme Court of New York. at the III
which is chiefly affected by Receiver Monchi-'
courts courts order; begins this legal fight. Ii re-
stI"ins the Panama Rairoaa Comnany from
6 6y vessel lor merchandise, mall. Or passengers.
n mens;ennrrs tbs Hnd snefy
de ynporss. With this line tho railroad 1t!r.a
fsemnany is said BY the eonPant to Ue con
through bills Of Iadns Of " Th ns st tbe
ffrminati1g asai9st H. latter. and tendins to
The IL rss,is Mai steamship Com pany and the
unier New YORK ehartsss tie former f D isss
rany. also. established its line nrst. and used
until tine railroad. ia 1855. was fiHiahaa and
took its placs:. AS to the mention OF the two
years ago the Pacific Mail Steamship C,ompany
bought up CONF citing line which the railroad
and Acapulcso. on tie Pacific side. the rsi i
stirulat!ng. II is alleged not to encourage any
otAs shs lam lin, to n;H the
tntnueh hills OF lading was then also accorded.
anu sAls5ins agreements belwesn the Various
ion OF the profits were ratified and continued.
whch W Gs duh, d.easa Of the
other in the hearings about to W" BE- ii he ehI
IT. international ASH cots are those that m ostt
interest the general public. Half n dozen
steamship limos converge ut Colon while on
the Paci tlc side the chief lines are the Pacific
Mail. going north from Panama. and the South
American. going south The former has six
Teen vessels employed in the Central American
trnde alone and it is not agreeable for the
people Of the United States, in view of the
trenty of 1886. to see it dscriminnted against
ny the French receiver OF u railroad limo which
WAS once American
= Whether. however. tho question can nrorer.
~ he mnds international at its present stage
docs not Yet seem to he determined 1t is
suggested that, in any ease. as American in
tercsts nre now mainly in the Nicaragua Canal
the EFFORTS OF France to eNtTicRto the Panama
enterprise from its difficulties do not concern
us: and further. that since the Panama road
was bought for an enormous price. and no
question was raised mt that time as TO its CON
nectinn with the Monroe doctrine. It Ia rather
tardy to raise an international question now
But alter all: tho question of vested Anne rican
rights remains. and the mail-cnrrynr con-
tracts Of the Pacific Mail Company still have
ten yenrs TO run. 1t is said that some informal
Cabinet discussion Of the question has been
had. The treaty nf 1876 mukrs transit freq
and onsn to the Goverpmcnt and citizens of
the United States without duties or tolls nav.
able to New Granada: The primary question
OF me receivers notice. since. it may carefully
avoid Infringing the terms Of this treaty with
= view to prevent ting the question from bsconl-
Ing international.