The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-08-20
Il GRE1TER REPUBLTC.

the present Colombian revolution when
the true inwardness of the plan becomes
known. An appeal to sentiment is often
more effective than an appeal to reason.
When the world understands that the
conspiracy among the Colombian revo-
iutionists, Venezuela and Ecuador is to
restore the ancient Colombian republic
comprising the territory included in the
old Spanish New Granada, it will bid
the project godspeed.
The territory embraced within the boun-
daries Of the three republics, Ecuador,
Colombia and Venezuela, has history
filed with romance
Since the time when Pizarro, after hay
ing overrun Peru, stood within the walls
of vanquished Quito, the spirit of strife
has held undisputed sway in this equa-
torial realm.
For two hundred and fifty years this
territory paid its respects and turned
over its revenue to the Spanish crown.
Its early history Is filled with the
mighty deeds of the conquerer Quesada
and the vain attempts of Las Casos to
tone down the rigorous cruelty Of the
spaniard. The rise of Napoleon and the
temporary eclipse Of Spain made indie
pendcnce possible under the leadership
Of Miranda and the great Bolivar.
On July ), 1871, convention met at
Caracas and declared the independence
of Venezuela, but it was not until 1919
that the republics of New Granada and
Venezuela were united under Bolivar into
the republic of Colombia. With the death
of Bolivar the republic of Colombia went
to pieces only to be gathered together
again, and again dissolved.
Such in brief has been the political his
tory of the most important section Of
the South American continent. It has
seldom been free from revolutions and
the present conspiracy to unite the orig
inal territory that once was New
Granda is but an historical period try
ing to repeat itself.
We are apt to regard with more or less
contempt these national uprisings, these
plots and counterplots to gain power.
They appear to us as unimportant In
the march of events. But we must re-
member that the combined population of
the three republics in question amounts
to over 100000 souls. Twice as many
as the original thirteen colonies con-
tained when they made that memorable
bluff, which ended in their independence.
The territory, besides being rich in all
Kinds of minerals and timber. holds the
key to the future commerce of the world.
II we ara to believe the advocates of the
1sthmian canal schemes
Just now this political revolution ia
pregnant with serious consequences n
the United States, for it may end in In
ternational complications. In 1s4 tba
United States in order to secure +ba
safety of her citizens who were seeking
the gold fields of California, entered into
treaty with New Granda to preserve the
neutrality of the isthmus of DarIen The
section of the treaty relating to the
lsthmus reads as follows:
IN order to secure to themselves +ha
IIdnqulI and constant enjoyment Of tbesa
se 9gan'9 f9C and as an especial compen-
9SoiOti LOT the said advantages and for
the fayors they have acorired Nv ~
lnlru, Fourth and Sixth articles Of +hiS
tut,eaiy' the United States guarantees nos.
1LlFely and effica ciOuslv TO Nav, fx,SonooS
by the present stipulation fba naTfaos
neutrality of the before-mentjoned isfbr
nus win view that the free franrj+
- oi 81. me one TO the other sea may not
De interrupted and embarrassed IN any,
1ulure time while this treaty eyIsfs. 49,
III consequence, the United States nTSo
guarantee. IN the same manner, he rights
q sovereignty and property Which H..
ritory." 0'ei Saio ter
This treaty which runs to the renuhI,c
OF New Granada mas been accented 1,,, A.,
government of Colombia and becomes an
obligation on the part of the United
States to defend Colombia in her SOW
ereignty over the territory in question
10 carry out this treaty stipulation the
administration has sent warships to Inc
scene Of possible action. For some
reason which does not appear on the
surface as there are no treaties calling
for such action. Germany, France and
England nave all thought it advisable tn
be represented by war vessels at Pan
anna Why this display of force? Do
they think that the United States Is not
able to protect the isthmus against the
reVolutionists? Has the conspiracy been
working with the courts of Europe to
Shake off the yoke of American DONNA.
ton? Is there to be a test of what we
are pleased to call the Monroe doctrineq
Is the United States prepared to preserve
the sovereignty of Colombia over the
lsthmian territory, or does the obligation
run only to the defeated government, be
that what it mayo In other words.
should the Colombian government be sub
Nerted' is the United States called upon
10 preserve the sovereignty of this strip
of land in trust for 81 possible resurrec-
ton Of the Colombian government:
What viii the United States do should
the European powers land troops to help