The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-20
Panama's Application for Admission
to Our Union.

That was an interesting despatch which
we published on Thursday. to the effect
that an application for annexation to the
United States has been made to our Gov
eminent by the State Of Panama, one Of the
political divisions OF the United States
OF Colombia. The request is obviously
prompted by wish to interest the Amcri-
can people in the completion OF the Panama
Canal, and II Is as manifestly based on II
presumed analogy between the present
situation OF the State OF Panama and that
which Texas occupied mt the time Of its
admission to our Union by joint resolu-
ton OF Congress-. moments reflection
will show that In some essential particulars
the analogy is defective.
II ls true that the State OF Panama, which
hitherto has been member OF the confcd-
Grafton known as the United States of
Colombia, has refused TO recognize the
authority OF the federal Government at
Bogota and has declared itself indcpen-
dent. SO far, the parallel to the Texas
precedent Is sufficiently close, for Texas,
which had been a member Of the Mexican
Confederation, repudiated its federal ties
and proclaimed itself sovereign republic.
II is also true that, when we annexed Texas
by Joint resolution in the last days OF
Folks Administration. we not only had
not So urcd the consent OF the Mexican
Confederation. but also were acting In de-
iiance OF its solemn protest.
The resemblances, however. between the
two cases are superficial, while the differ
cnces are vital. Not only had Texas been
t., g,r 10
fore We annexed her, but her independence
had been formally acknowledged by several
European powers, as we'll as by the United
States. 1t Is also to be borne in mind that
in 1s45 emigrants from tho United States
constituted large proportion, II not an
actual majority. OF the population OF the
republic OF Texas. None OF these condi-
lions existed in the case OF Yucatan. which
also at one time seeded from the Mexican
Confederation, and accordingly our Gov
eminent rejected her application for ad-
mission to our Union.
On precisely the same grounds our Gov
eminent will feel itself constrained to repcl
the overtures OF the State of Panama. Our
relations with the United States Of Coom-
bia are friendly, and II Is well known that
the federal Government at Bogota has not
consented to the secession OF Panama.
Under the circumstances, for us to annex
the seeding member OF the Colombian
Confederation would be evidently hostile
act. Moreover there would be no prctext
for II. such as was afforded In the instance
OF Texas, for Panama has given no proof OF
her ability to maintain practical indepen-
dence for any considerable period much less
has her independence been acknowledged
by any foreign power.
We do not dwell upon the violation OF tho
Clayton-Bulwer treaty, which the annexa-
tlon Of Panama might involve. because we
are not advised to what extent our State
Department under the present Administra-
ton regards that treaty as still binding.
There is n plenty OF cogcnt reasons for
rejecting Pannmas application without
invoking the sclf-dcnying obligations which
tho parties to that treaty reciprocally
assumed.