The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-04
AN ISTHMIAN WATERWAY.
WORK FOR AMERICANS.
Construction of the Canal Should BE-
gin without Delay.

No single great material work which re-
mains to be undertaken on this continent
is of such consequence to the American
people as the building of canal across the
isthmus connecting North and South Amer
lea. Its Importance to the Nation is by no
means limited merely to its material effects
upon our business prosperity, and yet, with
view to these effects alone it would be to
the last degree important for us immedi-
ately to begin it. While it's beneficial eff
fects would, perhaps be most marked upon
the Pacific coast and the gulf and south
Atlantic States, it would also greatly ben
eft other sections. 1t is emphatically a
work which it is for the interest of the
entire country to begin and complete as
soon as possible; it is one of those great
works which only a great nation can I'M
dertake with prospects of success, and
which, when done, are not only permanent
assets in the nations material interests
put standing monuments to its cOnstruc-
tive ability.
L am glad to be able to announce TO YOU
that our negotiations on this subject with
Great Britain conducted on both sides in
spirit of friendliness and mutual good
will and respect. have resulted in INV being
able to lay before the Senate a treaty
which, If ratified, will enable US to begin
prepare tons for an iSthmian canal at any
time, and which guarantees to this Nation
every right that il has ever asked in con-
nection with the canal. In this treaty the
old Clayton-Buwer treaty, so long recog-
nized as inadequate to supply the base for
the construction and maintenance Of a nee
esSarily American ship canal, is abrogated
1t specifically provides that the United
States alone shall do the work of building
and assume the responsibility of safe
guarding the canal. and shall regulate its
neutral use by all nations on terms of
equality, without the guaranty or interfer-
ence of any outside nation from any quar-
ter. The signed treaty will at once be laid
before the Senate, and If approved the Con-
gress can then proceed to give effect to the
advantages 1t secures us by providing for
the builGing Of the canal.
The true end of every great and free
people should be Self-reSpecting peace. and
this Nation most earnestly desires sincere
and cordial friendship with all others Over
the entire world, of recent years wars be-
tween the great civilized powers have be-
come less and less frequent Wars with
barbarous and seni-barbarous peoples come
in entirely different category being
merely a most regrettable but necessary
international police duty which must be
performed for the sake Of the welfare of
mankind. Peace can only be kept with
certainty where both sides wish 10 keen II
but more and more the civilized peoples re
realizing the wicked folly OF war and are
attaining that condition OF just and intellf-
gent regard for the rights of others which
will, in the end, we hope and believe
make worldwide peace possible. The peace
conference at The Hague gave definite ex-
preston TO this hope and belief and marked
a stride toward their attainment
This same peace conference acquiesced in
our statement OF the Monroe doctrine as
compatible with the purposes and aims of
the conference.