New-York tribune., 1900-04-23
NEUTRALITY OF THE IsrH,Irs
OBLIGATIONS OF THE UNITED sr,-
UNDER THE TREATY WITH
COLOMBIA

The capture Of Bocas GcI Toro and the thraa..,.,
attack on Colon may compel for-ibIe in,erva,,,.-
by the Government Of the United States 70 prs..-.
the perfect neutrality OF the Isthnus guara,,..s
by the United States In the Treaty os 1876
"A memorable and important treaty" (as fl WA,
characterized by Secretary Riainej exists be,w.s-
the United States and Colombia by which 4, 49,
change for certain concessions made TO the r-,,..
States. this country guaranteed positively a..
eficaciously" the perfect neutrality OF The I.,,
mus Of Panama" and also guaranteed the -vs,,
OF sovereignty and property OF the Repub,c =.
Colombia in and over the territory ot the Isth,u,
as included within the borders OF the Deuartn.,,
OF Panama
Mr.. Blaine. as Secretary Of State in the c;a-s.s
Arthur Administration. discussed az lsne-b o.
scope. purpose and effect OF this guarantee r,h,,
been proposed by Colombia and Costa Rica 70 rs..-
TO arbitration OF a European SOVEREIGN csrt,t,
serious differences similar 20 those which s.-.
brought the troubles OF to-day on the cle,s,r,
OF boundaries. Secretary Blaine hsld that @a7v
question which. by affecting the boundaries O, ~.
Department Of Panama. si.her enlarge or drl,
ishes the rights the Obligations OF the Tui,.,
States Of America under this guarantee Is =.
direct and practical interest TO this Governreut-
and that under the guarantee Of the treaty n.
United States is entitled an active interposi,io,
In the solution OF any such question. should II
deem that It's interests required dch Intervention
This Government. he said would not interior. ia
prevent the accomplishment Of such arbltrat,o,
but IT deemed II due to itself inform the partip,
that where either the rights or interests OF t,s
Government Of the United States are concerned ~
will not hold itself bound by any arbitration vhs-.
IT has not been consulted the subject or method
OF the arbitration and has had no voice in me
selection Of the arbitrator
The United States has repeatedly found il necss-
sary to enforce it's obligations under this tr.,tv
Although it has been held that the treaty does no,
oblige this Government TO protect the Isthmus O,
Panama from invasions by body OF insurgents
from the Republic Of Colombia yet during III. a-s,
administration OF President Cleveland "enerx.n-
cies growing out OF civil IN Colombia de-
manded OF the United States Government the en-
ployment OF armed force to fulfil its guarantees
under the treaty"
Valuable rights are claimed by United States cit
'--ns in the Province of Chiriqui within the geo.
graphical limits Of the Department OF Panama sx-
tending from the Bay OF Chlriqui on the Atlans,
Ocean to the Gulf OF Dulce the Pacific stas q
the isthmus.
took possession OF a site for United States naval
coaling station in the Gulf of Dulce near the Town
of David on the Pacific side OF the isthrnus where
the wariike expeditonary forces landed few
Hssa Secretary Evarts by direction OF President
Navy IN taking The site on the shores OF the Bay
or Golhto. IN The Gulf Of Dulce- In official DIS
patch the Secretary of State remarked that this
Government. having under consideration the pro
pTlety OF establishing cOaung stations
points IN the State Of Panama might seem best
adapted for that purpose, orders given TO
naval officers 10 visit the Gulf OF Dulce and 70
Fort fully the capabilities Of that locality
subsequently the Government learned from rs
naval officers that the point best adapted for Us
purpose is GOlhto. in the Gulf OF Dulce. and that
with the permission of the local authorities a small
deposit of coal was made. As the boundary line
in the Gulf of Duice between Costa RiCa and CoI0r-
bia has not been determined. said Secretary Ey-
arts, this Government is at present unable 70 say
where within the territorial limits of the States
the point selected is situated"
In rela ton TO this matter, earnest and important
diplomatic correspondence passed between the Gov
ernments of the United States and Colombia Co
of American naval officers removed, and the
controversy was settled 10 The apparent satistac-
tion of both Governments. The coal deposited NJ
the site taken for United States cOaling station
has remained there an evidence OF the purpose
of the Government of the United States ultimately
TO establish a station at the place then formally
occupied by its official direction. Congress appro-
prtated large sum OF money (S200.01O for the es-
tablishment OF stations at Ciolfito and Chirq ana
that unexpended appropriation lies in the United
States Treasury available for whenever me
Government may fJ TO complete the ccnten-
plated work OF establishment
Aftervard by protocol relative 10 the neutraAy
OF the ISthmus of Panama. the United state Gov
ernment accepted such practical recognition OF Us
rights as guarantOr Will enable the Governing.
TO maintain its rights under the treaty or -
whenever the necessity for such maintenance snss
arise and the United States has the right 10 fort1
its stations il desirable