The San Francisco call., 1901-11-23
THE ISTHMIAN QUESTION.

~ ISPATCHES from Washington announce
that formal appeal has been made to Secre-
- tary Hay by the Colombian Charge
dAfaires that the United States observe its treaty
stpulations and maintain free and uninterrupted
communication across the Isthmus of Panama. This
may be taken proof that despite its assertions of
strength the Colombian Government is by no means
of its ability to cope with the insurgents Ask
ing the aid OF this Government to keep open COM
muncaton across the isthmus very much like ask
ing aid for the support of the Colombian Government
itself
In his recent address at the Chamber of Commerce
banquet Secretary Hay said the United States is so
resolved respect the independence OF the various
states OF Latin America that not even for the sake
OF establishing among them that peace which we so
much desire would the Government do anything op-
posed to the dignity or the independence of those
states. That may be taken as an assurance that we
viii not interfere between the Colombian Govern
ment and the insurgents. The protection of the 18TH
mian trade, however, is another thing We are under
treaty obligations to keep the passage way across the
isthnus open for trade and should the war interfere
with that trade we may have to act for the re-
establishment of order.
The treaty which the Colombian Government has
asked US to observe was made between the United
States and New Granada in 1916, but is still binding
upon Colombia of the states in which New
Granada divided and the one in which the
lsthmus of Panama is included In this treaty it is
stated: The United States guarantee positively
and eficaciously to New Granada the per-
feet neutrality of the before mentioned sthus with
the view that the free transit from the one to the
other sea may not be interrupted embarrassed in
any future time while this treaty exists and in con-
sequence the United States also guarantee in the same
manner the rights of sovereignty and property
which New Granada has and possesses over the said
territory"
While it is provided that the treaty can be ter
minated by either side upon giving twelve months
notice, no such notice has been given and it remains
in force. We have, therefore, not only rights but
duties in the isthmus which we are bound to OBJ
serve. Unquestionably there have been good many
investments in the territory that would not have been
made but for the guarantee of the United States
We have repeatedly sent warships to the isthmus
to watch events and be ready to protect trans
isthmian traffic whenever such protection should be
needed
lhe present war has reached point where it ap-
pears the Colombian Government feels itself com
PEELED to call upon the United States for action It
IS hardly likely, however that the insurgents will
venture to interfere with the traffic. since their lead
ers must be well aware that such interference would
bring them into immediate conflict with the United
States They have as much fighting as they can at
tend to without provoking quarrel with U.S. It
may be- therefore, that we shall not have to exert
any force for the protection OF the traffic word Of
warning may be sufficient The Colombian war ;s
not our affair, and not going to interfere un-
less forced to do by the folly of one side or tbe
other in interfering with international trade
the isthmus