New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-15
"UNDER WHICH LAW ?"
Why Our Government Should Have Done
What 1t Did in the Panama Matter.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: both amused and ''riled" by the letter
in to-day's Tribune from a Mr.. Schreiner. Amused
that letter showing such limited intelligence and
such lack Of historic information should be spread
upon the editorial page of my freside companion
of fifty years; 'red' that the Tory treach-
cry that would have stabbed Washington when
he founded republic. the cheap hatred that
would have impeached Jefferson when he enlarged
our borders. the Copperhead that would
have poisoned Lincoln when he preserved the
Union and the pusillanimous little Americanism'
that would have slimed Mckinley when he stamped
out the pestience and crime in Cuba all
revived to misrepresent and besmear the action OF
Roosevelt and his administration for keeping the
peace and saving life and property the Isthmus
of Panama Your critic seems to think the matter
of the recognition of the Panama Republic should
have been referred to The Hague tribunal Is it
not q fact that The Tribune has taught from the
beginning that there has not been a said
act done in the whole Panama affair by our
government that would preclude Panama and CO.
lombia from going before The Hague. or any other
court of competent jurisdiction. a stated case?
These two powers may go to The Hague. and the
facts say that our government would aid them in
every way possible; but, at the same time
government is bound to keep the peace, compel
Panama and Columbia to keep the peace. while the
questions. If any, in process Of final adjudica-
ton.
Suppose that to-day. the Republic of Panama
should agree to dissolve and renew its allegiance
to Colombia such as that allegiance was and
take her former position alleged State under
the Colombian fag has President Roosevelt or
the Washington government done thing to
prevent the prompt recognition of the complete
authority of Colombia over the isthmus as the
authority of Panama is now recognized? Suppose.
again, that the Republic of Panama chose to be-
come a State of Mexico and thus put the gov
eminent of Mexico in charge of the isthmian ter
ritory would not our government be compelled at
to recognize the authority of Mexico? The
would-be critics and some newspaper writer's APP
pear TO lose sight of the foundation fact in this
whole matter-our government has nothing to do
with the right the wrong of the Panama Re
Question was Pope Plus X legally elected" or.
us King Edward VII lawfully on the throne of
the King because find them in authority, pre-
cisely rs government recognized the Panama
Republic, because it was found to be in authority
al Cne tba rgbt TO saw whether the new re-
public the legal or the illegal authority, then,
could have said that Cuba, or Brazil, or Mexico,
as in control of the Isthmus of Panama The only
thing government has done, or that 1t could
have done in the light of history, international
law treaty rights. common sense and the in
terest OF property and humanity was TO recognize
he authority in charge of the iSthmuS, preserve
the peace and keep the worlds line Of commerce
and unobstructed. Had our President said hands
on" and had he allowed civil war to rage IN
would then. it to me, have been justly con-
demned by all men. Who reveres Buchanan Tor
Where is the honest intelligent citizen todaX
who does not honor Jackson for stopping civil
war in 1882 and Cleveland for so promptly enulhS
the civil strife in Chicago in 1894?
L have read every word that could ma IN
the metropolitan press against the action of PTesl-
dent Roosevelt and the government In this ran
anna recognition matter. and / am forced 10 pc
iieve that. were there not a Presidential election
in sight and not Roosevelt a promlnent can
didate. his action would be commended by the
same press and shouted In praise from the house
tops by the writers as unanimously aIo as
fervently as was the action OF Monroe when ne
promulgated the doctrine taught him py ADAMS
that the United States had sense enough 10 IoOh
out for her interests. s..-
1 thank The Tribune for its CANDID ana Aati
statements fact in this controversy, ana lot us
lust presentation OF both sides of the case.
Brooklvn Nov 70 1909 T. II. ROBERTS