The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-29
THE COLOMBIAN "DEADLOCK."
spirited Advice Concerning American
Policy on the Isthmtis.

news from Washington. printed in New
York newspapers Of Tuesday morning.
that Colombia had abruptly broken OF
negotiations with the United Statos in the
Panama Canal matter, and that a coup was
limited at by tn. Bpgota authorities by
which the French company's concession
would be declared vacated in 1901, where
| upon a new concession would be offered to
practically the highest bidder, was sufli-
Gent TO produce feeling Of CONSERVATION
to any one taking an active interest in the
lsthnian canal situation.
But second reading OF the despatch
reveals its Inconsistency, and wildly sug-
| gets wha: legal writer's are so fond Of phras-
| ing As "a menace more apparent than real.
| Whether inspired by Colombian diplo-
macy in Washington or by Bogota state
craft it is as specious piece of news as
WAS ever launched, for the hiinsy character
Of the fabric IL only too obvious
Who will build at Panama If the United
States does not? Will any foreign Govern
ment do so?
No. The preservation Of the entente with
our Government will deter any European
Power from embarking in canal enterprises
on American soil. for all European states
! men by IlDN WIN Nhc Sl'h ~ 40
well a. the letter, of the Monroe Doctrine.
Will any South American or Central Ameri-
can State. recognizing its exemption from
the ban of the Doctrine, venture upon canal
| construction?
Certainly not, No New World Govern
ment but ourselves has a commerce to
foster and extend, and none has the neces-
sary money for canal building. Colombia
can hardly do so with her credit 40 COM
| plelely in extremis that her dollar 1.-THE peso)
| has an exchange value of less than two
| cents.
Will any corporation made up Of capital
! lists Of Europe, the United States, or South
America, take the place of the French com
pany at Panama?
Ernphat ically no; and for this reason:
Monovcd men the world over perceive that
the United State0 is bound to create a canal
connection between the Atlantic and the
Pacific, even if forced TO employ the very
inferior Nicaraguan route. The mood OF the
people is demanding Governmental canal,
and any astuto capitalist knows that the
turning of the first spadeful Of earth in
Nicaragua by our Government would
render canal at Panama, owned by in
dividuals, not worth a dollar. We are
going into the canal business 10 develop
commerce under the Stars and stripes,
and To tap new markets in many sections.
especially on the west coast Of South Amer
lea and in the Orient. The levying of tolls,
after the manner Of the Suez company, is
not 20 be the consideration. Assuredly
canal owned by individuals cannot hope to
compete with a public waterway owned by
,DIuarftI wbafa their
relative physical merits, for tolls on the
Governmental canal might be made so
trinng that competition would be strang!ed.
And, besides, our Government would prob
ably not be long in the business before its
canal would be thrown open to nominally
free navigation, the expense of operation
being betrayed from the public purse as
rivers. harbors and lighthouses are main
tanned To roads and bridges are already
rare A few months since, in the North
American Rerier. | mentioned the likeli.
hood of one or both Of our political parties,
tempting popular support. incorporating
a frec-canal plank in its platform before
our canal rs more than finished
Colombia Is TOO hard up to resort to such
spinele.s bluff as that printed in last Tueer
days journals Nearly three years OF civil
war has reduced her 10 worse straits than
curse any other land in this hemisphere.
A traveller may pass weeks there without
seeing coin of gold. silver or copper; and
her white paper moneyhas no tangible
security behind il. Her public debt Is
enormous a day Of financial reckon
ing comes TO Il Government as 10 an ind.-
vidiial. She cannot hope TO raise more
money ny bond Issues or by piedgIng taxes
and customs receipts.
Logical and earnest discussion never
Jetards wise public action. and national
policies must have their origin In individual
minds. modcslv suggest. therefore that
our Government take into consideration the
fact that circumstances place us in control
Of the Isthmian canal situation in all It's
bealings We have not conspiIed TO this
end--it is the outcome OF destiny, posi-
bly,; but II If The fact.
Allow Colombia 10 ride her high horse
az long as she pleases II will not be long
before she comes knocking at the portal Of
the Department of Sta,e to inquire II our
Government IL willing to resume canal
pouplil Rs. A canal il not so imperative
that We must commence operations next
debated the subject, and a delay now Of
another year. or two years, for that matter,
Is not going to hamper the material welfare
Of our nation.
When overtures come from Colombia.
as they surely will, il will then be time
for President Roosevelt and Secretary
Hay 10 stipulate a broader character for
any renewed negotiations. namely, to treat
for tho transfer to the American flag Of
the whole = ate of Panama for an equitable
cash consideration, We have been dis
GUESSING the assignment by Colombia OF
what would be the equivalent to sovereignty
| over a sx-rnilc strip" Of Panama territory.
| Here desire TO express the patriotic senti-
men that the United States has no need
| TO deal at any ones ribbon counter.
The policing by this Government OF a
sx-mile strip" could have but ono out
| come, perpetual and vexatious argument
III 4 4 L.. -.