The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-04

As Affecting the United States, Central
America and Europe.
New York Herald.

New York Herald.
1--WE no more want their territory than
we covet the mountains OF the moon Sec
rotary Hay.
Some of our foreign contemporaries seem
to be unduly exercising their minds about
the part the United States is taking or
may take in the Panama troubles.
The London Daily Telegraph, for example,
says that though the government at Wash
ington is acting in strict accordance with
its Diplomatic rights Ii may find 1t ex-
tremely difficult to adhere to its ideal pro-
gramme," while the Daily News declares
"alI this plays straight inco the hands Of
the United States, and that energetic power
has not been slow TO take advantage of it
by forceful acts which may at any mo
ment develop into an occupation of the
isthmus" The Morning Post thinks 1T is
the manifest destiny Of the United States
to control the isthmus." and expresses
the opinion that no single European power
is likely to oppose the Monroe doctrine.
IF IT ever comes to a question it will be
between the United States of Europe and
the United States of America"
The best answer to all this is to be found
in the South and Central American policy
of the United States, as officially pro-
claimed by no less authority than Secre-
tary Hay and as recently as a week ago,
when manifestly speaking with the ap-
prevail of President Roosevelt, he said:
IT think 1 may say that our sister re
publics TO the south of us are perfectly
convinced of the sincerely OF our attitude.
They know desire the prosperity Of each
of them and peace and harmony among
them.
1--WE no more want their territory than
we covet the mountains of the moon. We
are grieved and distressed when there are
differences among them, but even then we
should never think OF trying 10 compose
any of those differences unless by the re-
quest OF both parties to IT,
Not even our earnest desire for peace
among them will lead US 10 any action
which might offend their national dignity
or their Just sense of independence We
owe them all the consideration which we
claim for ourselves.
The fact is the government is now doing
in Panama simply what it did In 1875 and
what it is treaty bound to do-see that the
free transit OF the isthmus from the one
sea to the other may not be interrupted or
embarrassed" This is primarily the duty
of the Colombian government, but when
that government is unable 10 perform II.
as ii now is and was sixteen years ago,
then the task devolves upon the United
States. 1t Is its business 10 take Whatever
action may be necessary or advisable for
the accomplishment or That END, whether
the landing OF armed forces. the prevention
of bombardment or dealing with military
operations that interrupt or menace free
transit.
This does not imply any purpose or desire
to take sides either with the Colombian
forces or the insurgents. They are left TO
fight their own battles. The United States
has nothing to do with an internal fnsurrec-
ton or revolution. Ii simply exercises its
treaty right and fulills its treaty obliga-
ton to see that transit across the isthmus
is kept open and free
If, however. the situation should develop
into one revealing designs upon the SOW
ereignty of Colombia from without-Vene-
zuela, for example-and menacing its ma.
tional existence. then would come into PLAY
that clause of the treaty by which the
United States positively and efiicaciously'
guarantees Colombian sovereignty over the
isthmus-