The Saint Paul globe., 1903-11-21
SATURDAY, NOV. 81, 1908.
THE NEW TREATY.

Some terms of the treaty concluded
with the republic of Panama indicate
that it was constructed by representa-
tives of the United States-as, indeed,
it very likely was-before any revolu-
tion took place on the isthmus at all.
1t is certainly as favorable as this
country could desire. The perpetual
use and control of the property neces-
sary for the construction Of the canal
is ceded to this government. A strip Of
land ten miles wide for canal purposes,
with three marine leagues at each ter
minus is ceded absolutely to the United
States. While the actual title to the
ground would probably. remain in the
Panama government, the perpetual use
s and control guaranteed to US amount
:. to an equivalent.
In return for this very complete
cession of territory and authority, this
country makes two important pledges.
Panama is to receive the $10,000,000
that was to be paid to Colombia. The
reason for this payment at the pres
ent moment is not at all clear. The
new republic was undoubtedly pre-
pared to give the ground and right Of
way for nothing. Why the $1O,00O,O00
should be offered is a question that
will be asked very seriously when it
comes to scanning the motives for the
negotiations so quickly hurried through
between our state department and the
representatives of the Panama in
surgents. AS for the further demand
of $25O,000 a year for nine years, that
is utterly senseless and inadmissible.
When it was proposed to lease the ter
ritory from Colombia, this sum was
specified as an annual rental charge.
We need to pay and should pay no rent
to Panama, any more than man who
buys a house and lot would agree to
pay rent to the former owner there
after.
A larger item than this, though one
that will be at present less considered,
Is our full guarantee of independence
to the republic of Panama. This is a
most extraordinary condition to be
written into a treaty, and a departure
from American policy that would
arouse the country to discussion and
n
got lost in the shuttle among the ex-
traordinary performances of this ad-
ministration. 1t will be observed that
we bind ourselves by this to support
with arms a seeding state against it's
central government. If the Colombian
army should succeed in reconquering
the province of Panama, it would be
our business to send troops down there
to drive them out If the republic of
Panama should after while get tired
of its new plaything, and if it's repre-
sentatives and all of it's people should
duly and regularly vote for annexa-
tion to the remaining states of Colom-
bia or to Ecuador, We must prevent it.
We take upon ourselves the pledge
that Panama shall remain a republic,
unattached to any other power
There is strong internal evidence in
this document that it was prepared
long ago, and that the revolution and
the canal treaty are parts of a COM
plete plan agreed upon between the
departments at Washington and what
ever influences are behind the rebels
on the isthmus. We helped form the
plot, we stood behind the insurrection,
we are going to guarantee the stability
of the new government we pass over
s1O,OOO,0O0 at once and two millions
and a quarter in annual subsidies, and