New-York tribune., 1902-10-29
oo1oMBTA AND THE CANAL.


Promoters of the isthmian canal seem to have
pretty nearly as hard a time did the PiOus
.Fneas when he was striving to bring his house
hold gods into Latium. No sooner is one OBJ
stacle disposed of than another crops up. We
shall not say, however, that each new one IS
worse than its predecessor, for it is not On
the contrary, despite some alarmist pessimism,
il is TO be believed that difficulties are steadily
growing less formidable. and that the latest
now under discussion will speedily be put out
of the way in a manner honorable and satisfac-
tory TO both nations concerned. What will arise
after it is not now TO be asked. But there can
scarcely be anything worse than some things
which have already been overcome.
The present hitch in the proceedings is caused
by Colombia's unwillingness or inability TO cede
TO this country the strip of land which the canal
will traverse. and still more by her not unnat-
ural desire to get as big bonus and rental
from the United States possible. The former
point may be dismissed briefly. If Colombia
cannot constitutionaly ALLEVIATE any of her terri
tory, she can certainly lease It 10 the United
States IN practical perpetuity. 4 lease 10 this
country for a thousand years, with privilege
of renewal at the sole option of this country,
would not be actual cession, hut it would serve
the purpose just as well As for the latter
bankrupt should want to get the largest sum
she can from a country so fabulously rich as
she assumes the United States to be. Neverthe-
less she Will do we'll to be reasonable and n
avoid even the appearance of extOrtOn. Yhe
canal is really far more essential to her welfare
than the use of her isthmus is 10 the United
States. This country can. If necessary, build
canal elsewhere. If it should do so there would
never be one built at Panama, and the compe-
tition of the canal and Of the Tehuantepec rail
road would soon cause the ruin Of Panama as
a route OF interOceanic transit The construc-
ton and operation of the canal at Panama would
be Of simply incalculable value 10 Colombia, In
dollars and cents, In the development of her
territory and resources and in the attraction of
travel trade and enterprise thereto. Colombian
statesmen Will do we'll 10 take that fact into
consideration, and not demand of a goose that
will lay golden eggs too heavy toll before they
let IL into their coop.
There are some curious reports 10 the effect
that Colombia's increased demands and altered
attitude are due 10 resentment at the action Of
United States officers at the sthmus In pre-
venting the use OF the Panama railroad for
military purposes We are at n loss TO see just
how that can be- II. as we are Informed, the
latest Colombian note, containing the revised de-
mands, was written before that action was
taken. We are not prepared 10 believe I'm the
existence OF supernatural prescience at Bogota.
Nor do we believe there is reason TO fear any
serious friction over what was done at Panama.
Our officers there acted for the fulflment Of
treaty stipulations. II was their business to
maintain the neutrality Of the Panama rail
road, and they not unreasonably held that fits
neutrality would be gravely compromised If it
were transformed into an engine OF belligerency.
At any rate It is not 10 be believed that for any
such cause Colombia will obstruct an enterprise
calculated so vastly TO promote her own inter
ests. AS matter of fact, IT should be evident TO
her that by promptly making a suitable canal
contract with the United States she would in
the most eRectual way be Kidding herself OF the
disturbances and annoyances of the isthmus