The Red Cloud chief., 1903-12-11

be noted that one of them lasted for near
ly three years before it was quelled an
other for nearly "A year. In short. the
experience OF over half a century has
| shown Colombia to be utterly Incapable
! OF Keeping order IN the isthmus. Oh
the active interference of the CniNd
States has enabled her to preserve 50
much as a semblance of sovereignty. Had
IL not been for the exercise by the United
States of the police power in her interest.
her connection with the isthmus would
have been sundered long ago. In 1856, In
1860. in 1873, In 1855. In 1901. and again In
1902. sailors and marines from United
| states war ships were forced to land In
order to patrol the isthmus. to protect
life and property, and to see that tho
transit across the isthmus was kept
open. In 1861. In 1852. In 1885, and in 1900.
the Colombian Government asked that the
United States Government would land
troops to protect its interests and main
tain order on the isthmus. Perhaps the
most extraordinary request Is that which
has just been received and which runs
as follows:
knowing that revolution has already
commenced In Panama Ian eminent CO.
lombianl says that II the Government of
the United States will land troops to pre-
serve Colombian sovereignty. and the
transit. IL requested by Colombian charge
d'affaires. this Government will declare
martial law; and. by virtue Of vested CON
stltutional authority. when public order
Is restored, will approve by decree the
ratification of the canal treaty as signed:
or, IL the Government of the United
states prefers, viii call extra session of
the Congress-with new and friendly
members-next May to approve the
treaty. IAN eminent Colombianl has the
perfect confidence OF vice-president, he
says. and II 1t became necessary will go
to the isthmus or send representative
there TO adjust matters along above lines
| 80 tha gnttsfartinp nf fhp t.nrlp ,hara
This dispatch Is noteworthy from two
standpoints. Its offer of Immediately
guaranteeing the treaty to US Is in sharp
contrast with the positive and contempt
tuous refusal of the Congress which has
lust closed its sessions to consider ia
vorably such a treaty: 1t shows that the
Government which made the treaty really
had absolute control over the situation.
but did not choose to exercise this con-
troll. The dispatch further calls on us
TO restore order and secure Colombian
| supremacy In the isthmus from which the
Colombian Government has just by its
| action decided to bar us By preventing
the construction of the canal.
importanc, OF Peace in Isthmus.
The control, In the interest of the COM
merce and traffic of the whole civilized
world. of the means of undisturbed tran
sit across the Isthmus of Panama has
become OF transcendent Importance to
the United States. We have repeatedly
exercised ;his control by intervening in
the course of domestic dissension, and
by protecting the territory from foreign
invasion. In 1853 Mr.. Everett assured
the Peruvian minister that we should
not hesitate to maintain the neutrality
of the isthmus In the case of war be-
tween Peru and Colombia. In 1864 CO.
lombia. which has always been ~vigilant
TO avail itself OF its privileges conferred
by the treaty, expressed its expectation
that in the event of war between Peru
and Spain the United States would carry
into effect the guaranty of neutrality.
There have been few administrations OF
the State Department In which this
treaty has not. either by the one side
or the other. been used as a basis OF
more or less important demands. 1t was
said by Mr.. Fish In 1871 that the Depart
ment OF State had reason to believe that
an attack upon Colombian sovereignty
on the isthmus had. on several occa-
sions. been averted by warning from this
Government. In 1856. when Colombia was
under the menace of hostilities from
Italy In the Cerruti case. Mr.. Bayard ex-
pressed the serious concern that the
United States could not but feel. that a
European power should resort to force
against n sister republic of this hemis-
phere. as to the sovereign and uninter-
rupted use Of a part of whose territory
we are gnnrantors under the solemn faith
OF a treaty.
Treaty With Republic Of Panama.
Every effort has been made by the Gov
eminent OF the United States TO persuade
Colombia to follow a course which was
essentially not only to our interests and
to the interests Of the world. but to the
interests OF Colombia itself. These eff
forts have failed; and Colombia. by her
persistence In repulsing the advances that
have been made. has forced us. for the
sake OF our own honor. and Of the inter-
est and well-being. not merely OF our own
people. but OF the people OF the Isthmus
OF Panama and the people of the civilized
countries OF the world. to take decisive
steps to bring to an end a condition of
affairs which had become intolerabie.
The new Republic OF Panama immediate
ly onered to negotiate a treaty with us.
This treaty I herewith submit. BY It our
interests are better safeguarded than in
the treaty with Colombia which was rati-
fed by the Senate at It's last session. II IL
better In Its terms than the treaties Of
fered to us by the Republics Of Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica. At last the right
to begin this great undertaking Is made
available. Panama has done her part.
All that remains Is for the American Con-
gress to do it's part and forthwith this
Repubhc VIII enter upon the execution
OF n project colossal in it's size and Of
well-nis.. incalculable possibilities for the
good Of this country and the nations Of
mankind.
Provisions Of Treaty.
BY the provisions OF the treaty the
United States guarantees and will main -
tain the independence OF the Republic OF =
Panama. There Is granted to the United
states In perpetuity the use, occupation.
and control OF n strip ten miles wide and
extending three nautical miles into tho
sea at either terminal. with all lands ly-
Ing outside OF the zone necessary for the
construction OF the canal or for its aux
ihary works, and with the islands in the
Bay of Panama. The cities OF Panama
ana colon are not embraced in the canal
zone, but the United States assumes
their sanitation and. In case OF need. the
maintenance of order therein; the United
states enjoys within the granted limits
All the rights, power, and authority which
II would possess were 1t the sovereign Of
the territory to the exclusion OF the ex-
ercise OF sovereign rights by the Republic.
All railway and canal property rights be-
longing to Panama and needed for tho J
canal pass to the United States. includ-
ing any property of the respective COM
panies In the cities of Panama and Co.
ION; the wor@s, property, and personnel
OF the canal and railways are exempted
hnI AN