The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-26
-------e-@p-s-
THE PANAMA EXCITEMENT.

lr Va 49,
lie of Colombia offers President
Roosevelt an opportunity for adding
another paragraph to his message. II
Secretary Hay had not said in his
speech at the New York Chamber of
Commerce dinner the other night, that
the United States have no intention or
desire 10 acquire territory of the Cen
trail or South American republics, he
might be tempted to recommend TO
Congress the ACCESSIBILITY of inquiring
whether it would not be to the ad
vantage OF this and all other countries
for this government to establish a pro-
tectorate over Colombia, and also all
of the Central American republics.
That territory would include the Pan
anna railroad and the routes of the
Panama and Nicaragua canals. There
is very little probability of permanent
peace in any Of the foregoing republics
as long as their present populations
have control of affairs. And the gov
eminent which each of them has falls
but little short OF being a despotism.
From all accounts the present govern
ment Of Colombia pays very little re-
gard to the wishes CT the people, and it
is probable that il the Liberals, now
in revolt, should succeed in getting
control. they would show the same dis
regard of the wishes of the people that
the Conservatives have shown. The
politicians and political generals keep
not only Colombia but all Of the Gen.
trail American republics in a state of
unrest. There is a large percentage of
the population that is ever ready for
a revolution, thinking that a change
can make their condition no worse and
that it may make it better.
Under existing conditions 1t is i'm
possible to develop the country. There
is no security for property and very
little for life. The governments are
so bad that the people cannot bear the
burdens imposed upon them and pros
per. In Colombia the currency is
practically worthless and the tariff
taxes are SO heavy that importations
have almost ceased.
All of the foregoing countries are
rich in natural resources, but few are
willing to take the risk of developing
them. Their merchants and planters
who have something at stake would
welcome strong government like that
of the United States. 1t would bring
peace and progress to these republics.
II nd
perity for their people.
Our policy, however. is hands off.
That has always been our policy, and
will continue to be, in all probability,
but it would not be surprising
if, one of these days. something
should happen that would justify I'm
Gle Sam in taking those Central Amer
lean republics, and perhaps Colombia,
under his protection. Owing to the
present condition of affairs in the de-
partment of Panama it may be that
the President would like to make a
suggestion of that kind in his forth
coming communication to Congress.
but If he has a feeling of that sort he
will refrain from expressing it. To dc
anything of that kind at this time
would make a big sensation in every
capital of Europe. Nothing would give
Germany and some of the other Eu-
ropean Powers greater pleasure than
an excuse for grabbing some of the
territory of Central and South Amer
lea. And they would have an excuse
if this country were to extend its au-
thority over any of the republics &c
the South of us.