Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-01-20
lO SEIZE TIE B|HMUS
United States Navy Cut It's
Way Out of the Canal
Difficulty
COLOMBIAN GREED THE CAUSE
Prominent Men Are Now Urging That
NAf..lI - Ma.
COLOMBIAN GREED THE CAUSE
Prominent Men Are Now Urging That
1t Would Be No Injustice in View of
colcmbia's Attempt to Hold Up the
United States for Unreasonable Con-
cessions.

Washington, Jan. Cove have the
Monroe doctrine and the time is COM
ing when we shall have to protect the
coast of Central and South America
to maintain it. We may have to begin
such work sooner than we expect. We
may have to exercise our rights to con-
troll this continent by taking posses
sion of the isthmus, and constructing
a canal, without the consent of Colon
bia. It would be means of self-pro-
lection and also a great commercial
work for the benefit of the worlds COM
merce."
This is the view of the Panama cam
al situation, as expressed today by u
prominent representative who has been
an earnest supporter of the Panama
route. He continues:
No European power would interfere
to prevent this government from taking
such means for the completion of an
interoceanic canal. / don't say this
is part of the government plan, but
it may become necessary to make it a
part of our plan. 1t would be simply
step taken ten or fifteen years before
it would come in the ordinary course
of events.
The canal situation is serious. and
we are near to necessity. We have
decided to construct an interoceanic
canal across the isthmus for the benefit
of the worlds commerce. Such great
work by a government was never be-
fore agreed to. The civilized world
recognize the necessity for such a high
way of commerce and the right of the
United States to construct it.
I'VE have made provisional pur-
chase of the unfinished Panama canal.
The Adventures who are in control
of Colombia are blocking the way like
road agents. demanding millions of
money Tor a concession. This govern
ment can not be held up in that way
We owe something to our self respect
and something to the people of Colon
bia who are misrepresented.
There have been no developments In
the situation in the last week AS
was stated in these dispatches week
ago. Colombia is trying to hold up
Uncle Sam and the French company
for much more of an indemnity than
the canal concession is worth. The
secretary of state has suspended ne
gotiations with that government and is
allowing the French company to
wrestle with the Colombiaps alone.
There is no foundation for the report
that the president is considering the
san Blas route. Colombia holds SOW
ereignty over. that route, and tho
French company's concession also COW
ers it. This government can not con-
slider that route without dealing with
the Panama route. The report is said
to have been circulated by the OPP
ponents of all canal legislation.
The president does not propose to
send in treaty with Nicaragua until
ne has given up all hope of a conces
sion from Colombia and has given no.
ice to congress that he could not Sc
cure the necessary concession to com
plete the purchase of the Panama cam
Al. The Spooner bill. leaves him no
other alternative. He must end all me-
gotiatfons with Colombia and give up
The Panama route before he turns to
the Nicaragua route.
N washington now. as for years past,
against any canal. These were the in
fuences that started the report that
Germany was negotiating with colom-
ola FOR the Panama canal That repor.
vas a part of the scheme to aid Colom-
ola in demanding exorbitant tndem-
atty.
The president, secretary Hay, and the
men in congress who desiresto have this
anal situation cleared up Before March
are annoyed and puzzled, but they are
not clear as to just what course to
pursue. The ministers OF Nicaragua
IND Costa RIGA are showing new inter-
,st In the situation, and have in
ormed the secretary Of state that they
ire ready to sign protocols for treaty
II which fair and satisfactory terms
or concession for the Nicaragua
cute will be agreed to.
The difficulty with this proposition
S that South and Central American
Countries do not live up to protocols.
'ut increase their demands when it
'omes to treaties. Colombia agreed
o satisfactory terms in protocol. but
Vhen these We're embodied in a treaty
he representatives of that government
'efused to sign.
Senator Scott of West Virginia, who
made speech in favor of the San Blas
II Darien route when the isthmian
anal bill was considered, discussed
he subject with President Roosevelt
oday and left some papers relating
Q that proposed route with the presi-
lent. -
LEAVING GERMANY IN REAR.