New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-23
COLONBI4 AND TIE CANAL,

Colombias reported conclusion of peace is full
of interest to the United States. 1t is on gen
eral principles pleasing TO know that our south
ern neighbor has reached the end Of a struggle
which was tedious and disastrous in the ex-
IRENE II is relief to be rid of the necessity Of
keeping guard over our interests at Panama and
occasionally intervening in their behalf with
force and arms. There have been complaints
made against such intervention, by both parties
to the conflict on the isthmus largely, if not en-
tirely, unfOunded. The treaty rights of the
United States TO intervene for the protection OF
its property and the maintenance Of free traffic
on the railroad cannot be disputed 1t may we'll
be that such intervention hampered the belliger
ent activities Of one or both Of the parties. But
If so their quarrel was with the treaty, and not
with our enforcement Of its provisions. Ger
tainly the government, now that il has won the
day must realize that it is far better to have
the railroad and its terminals in good order and
in operation than it would have been to have
them in ruins as they would have been but for
United States Intervention. The establishment
Of peace is thus welcome as a vindication Of
American action.
Another highly important consideration is that
the return of peace will expedite a definite set
tlement of the canal question. Being rid Of the
instruction, the Bogota Government can apply
itself to that matter without distraction. 1t is
high time for it to do so to a practical purpose.
There has already been too much delay and too
much backing and filling For years past the
Colombian Government has professed to be
eager for the United States to purchase and
complete the unfinished ditch of the French
company. This country has been given to
understand that every facility viii be offered TO
it for the prompt completion of the canal on the
most liberal terms But now that 1t is ready
and eager to begin the work, Colombia seems
inclined to temporize and to ask impossible con-
ditons. There does not seem to be the slight
est justification for the reported attempt TO in
crease the rental price. 1t is understood that
Colombia was willing to accept a certain price
q year or two ago, when it was not certain that
the United States would want to build at
Panama. Nothing has occurred since then to
make the concession more valuable AS for
Colombia's reluctance to grant to this country
complete and permanent control of the strip of
land containing the canal, her own conduct and
condition demonstrate it's unreasonableness. 1t
would be simply intolerable to have the canal
exposed to the disturbances which for months
past have beset the Panama Railroad
The terms proposed by the United States are
not only reasonable they are generous to Co.
lombia. 1t is for Colombia to accept them or re-
ject them. Whichever she does she should do
thoughtfuIly and advisedly. for the decision is
one fraught with incalculable Importance to
her future. but she should, and indeed must,
do it promptly. The United States must not be
kept waiting like a party to an old fashioned
New-England horse trade. For the Panama
route as our Colombian friends should remem-
Der, is not the only one. There Is another
at Nicaragua, which has some advantages over
that at Panama. and which can have for the
asking. The President is as fully authorized to
accept and adopt it as he is to conclude ar
engagements with Colombia and if he should do
so that would mean ending of the Panama
Canal. Whichever route this country adopts
will thenceforth be the only one. Colombia
cannot afford to run any unnecessary risk Of
being left in the lurch forever