Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1900-03-30
Attitude Of AmeT.Cl
Regarding the Canal

'oiiNSHohuehCe DelWeCn tne United
States and the Government of Colom-
bia, relative to the Panama canal. The
correspondence covers the Ierluh from
1873 to 1897 and much of 1t has been
heretofore printed.
Among the documents which have
not been published is q letter of April
~, 1880, from Secretary Evarts 20 Unit
ed States Minister Emart Dychrian,
concerning the Panama canal conces-
sions, in which the Secretary says.
The Government of the United
states might be willing la the matter
OF the mere mercantile interests of its
citizens to trust to the intelligent
self-interest of those who undertake
It's construction to see that reasonable
ness and equality of tolls simplicity Of
regulation and perfect impartiality of
treatment should be made the Induce
ments to draw the commerce of all ma
tons to It's channel. But IL cannot be
concealed, and the Government of the
United States does not attempt 10 con-
ceal. that its relation to this enterprise
must be governed by larger and more
serious considerations. This enter
prise, once achieved. works more than
commercial revolution. II touches
the conditions under which the security
or the United States may need to be
maintained. While the United States
feels no concern as to the adequacy of
their power to meet any emergencies
that may arise, while there is no issue
in the worlds politics which at all
threaten their tranquility; while their
relations with all nations are known
to be peace and good WILL yet II is not
unwise to anticipate possible cuntin-
gencies which may expose our sy.tcms
to trial not now obvious or PROBABLE"
He then dwells upon me changed
conditions which would be made appar-
ent in case Of war and gays:
All the treaties Of neutrality In the
world might fail to be q safeguard in q
time Of great conflict"
He therefore instructs Mr.. Dyrliman
to say to the Colombian Government
that 1t is source or p..,fonnd regret
to this Government C.lat the Govern
ment of Colombia hitherto refrained
from communication upon the subject |
OF the recent commission as the treaty |
relations between the two countries |
justified us in expecting"
He added that the United States |
would demand the construction of an
isthmian canal that should be the
subject of joint consideration with a
view to the protection OF those inter-
ests which bind the South and North
American republics together as close
ly as other interests and relations
bind the European powers"
He also gave instructions TO add that
the United States Government did not
ment to which 1t was not u party. On
this point he said:
You will add that This Governmen,
cannot consider itself excluded by any
arrangement between any other pow
ers or individuals to which II is not q
party, from direct interest, and IL ne
cessary positive supervision and in
terposition in the expectation of any
project which by completing an inter-
oceanic connection through the 18TH
mus would materially effect its COM
mercial interests. change the territorial
Of its own sovereignty and
impose on 1t the necessity of foreign
policy, which, whether In its feature of
warlike preparation, or entanging al
lance, has been hitherto arduously
avoided"
Concluding long communication
he said:
Should this inter.oceanic connec-
ton ever be achieved and should its
become, in the ccmpl! tons
Of international relations, a matter Of
Importance to my power. 1t Will sure
~ not be deemed by the Colombian
Government either disrespectful or
infriendly to suggest that the military
strength Of the Government of Colon.
Dia would be inadequate to maintain
is security or neutrality and the en-
'orcement OF the guarantee OF the
United States would probably be
sought as IL has been heretofore.
Should the possibility of such neces-
'ity become probable occurrence, IL
would be the duty Of the United States
Tot only to themselves. brl to the Gov
OF Colombia, TO see thai they
we're In position to enforce tn. guar [
ntees which existing treaties impose
lpon them and which their feeling Of
incere friendship for the Government
4 Colombia would induce them to full
III with scrupulous fidelity"
Another communication of some in
crest is that of Secretary Foster, TO !
lr Coughlin, of December 20, 1850,
elating to the request Of the Panama I y
ANAL Company for an extension o. one L
ear. He opposed the concession. say s.
ng that the company was bankrupt
nd hence the application for an OK.
ension was no bona fide.
I'm view Of this he added, "thn,
'nited States Government earnestly
'usts that no such extension will DO
ranted without substantial guaran-
,es."
Reporting later that the extension
ad been granted Minister Abbott
hid: "The time will never come. In
~ judgment, when the Colombian
overnment will refuse to grant canal
to European companies I'M