The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-22

TO resolution OF the senate the president
sent today to that body the correspondence
between the United States and the gov-
eminent of Colombia relative to the Pana-
ma canal, The correspondence covers the
period from 1873 to 1887. and much OF it
has been heretofore printed.
Letter From Secretary Evsrts.
Among the documents which have not
been published is a letter OF April 10, 1880,
from Secretary Evarts to United States
Minister Emert Dychman concerning the
Panama canal concessions, in which the
secretary says:
"The government OF the United States
might be willing, in the matter Of the mere
mercantile interests OF its citizens to trust
TO the intelligent sef-interest Of those who
undertake its construction 10 see that rca-
sonableness of tolls. simplicity OF regula-
tons and perfect impartiality OF treatment
should be made the Inducements TO draw
the commerce Of all nations to Its cham
mel. But II cannot be concealed, and the
government OF the United States does not
attempt to conceal, that its relation To
this enterprise must be governed by larger
and more serious consideration. This en-
terprise once achieved, works more than n
commercial revolution. 1t touches the
conditions under which the security OF
the United States may need to be main
tanned. While the United states feel no
concern as to the adequacy OF their power
to meet any emergency that may arise,
while there ls no issue IN The worlds poll
tics which at all threatens their uan-
uuillity; while their relations with all iia-
tions are, and promise to be, those OF peace
and good will, yet 81 Is nnwtse not TO an
ticipate possiS.e contingencies which may
expose our systems to tr1aI not now ob-
vious or probable"
a
He then dwells upon the changed con-
ditions which would be made apparent In
case OF war and says
IAN the treaties OF neutrality in the
world might fan TO be safeguard in .
time of great conflict"
He therefore instructs Mr.. Dychman 20
say TO the Colombian government that IL
is n source OF profound regret to this gov
ernment that the government OF Colom-
hia has hitherto refrainod from COM
munication upon the subject of the recent
commission. as the treaty relations be-
tween the two countries Justified us in ex-
pectlng."
Demanded a Voice.
He adds that the United States would de-
mand that the construction Of an 18th
mian canal should "he the subject uf Joint
consideration with View 20 the protee-
tion OF those interests which bind the
South and North American republics to-
gsther as closely as other interests and
relations bind the European powers"
An Interest fn the Project.
He also gave instructions 20 add that
tho United states government did not con-
slider itself excluded by an agreement 20
which It was not party. on this point
he said.
You will add that this government
cannot &c nsldcr itscF excluded by ans ar
rHrer7u.utF between any other powers or
individuals TO which 81 f. not a party.
fram q direct interest and. " necessary. a
positive supervision and iuterpositten tn
the execution "a any project which. BY
completing an iuteroCoanic connection
throsKh the isthmus. would materially AZ.
fest its commercial interests. change the
territorial relations - So own sovereignty
and impose on % tho necessity Of for
eign policy whicA. whether ia itv feature
% wn-igke pFcparaflcn or entsnEllng ala-
ance has been hifherto arau1ualy avoid
elr
Tai. Country WIN Guard the Canal.
C1ncIuainS /. long communication he
said
should this iuterocehnic connection
ever be achieved and shouia its control
become in thr complications uf lTtfrnh-
tionag relations. a matter q imp0-t ta1cr 20
- the Colombian government elftmr 8is-
respectful or unfrieu3ly Go spEg~7f shat
the military sireazta - the government
~ Colombia vogld BE- Inadequate io HIsia-
tain its security pr neutrality and tha nu-
forceusut of the gu8ra1tee of me Inited
states would probably p" aalght aF W
has heretofore Shold the eoesln3lify of
sueh a necessity become "a pve5a0.t atcur-
rea-e. it would oe the d4tY of t7e tHitrd
states ua- ortY fo thrmHelrea hat te tHa
government ot Cnlompla- fu see that taef
were ia q position t9 eafarcr tar E1aran-
tees utIrh existing treaties 3ml ltf4 9lHa
tham and which their feeling 1f sincere
friendship for ths government ~ Colon
tia wa1f3 iaaur1 taem go f-tt8 wita
srr1p4.als naeA'F
opporition to Panhn ma scheme
Another communication et soma later
est 81. taut of Secretary Easfcr to AZ
fuuEhHu g December - i.a- relating t9
tr4 rt4aast ~ tnc Panama Canal Com
parF fur ara a1teuelaE. - ane year He
our..a4 the concession. raytuE tAat the
company was bankrupt and hence The ape
p-Ic4uau for al extension was not bona
lde
I'm view az this" he said. the United
states government earnestly trusts that
no slch extension wiH b. grautrd with-
out substantial E4afautefs-
Reporting later that tAe extension bad
been granted Minister Atssott said
=. coatla-eA ~ P@se Two.