The National tribune., 1903-12-10
ENTIRELY REGULAR
The Recognition of Panama Strictly Ac-
cording to Precedent.

Our prompt recognition Of the Republic
of Panama is in closest harmony with our
unbroken National policy. From the very
foundation of the Government we have
had a strong sympathy with other peo-
pies struggling under the oppression and
hardships of a distasteful Government,
and have been quick to offer them help
ing hand. One of our very first foreign
expeditions was to send arms and material
assistance to portion of the people of
Tripoi, who were struggling against des-
potie Bey, and trying to overthrow him.
A column in which were many American
soldiers and others under the command
of Capt. Eaton of the Army, marched clear
across the Desert of Libya to attack the
Bey of TripOli in the rear, while our Navy
assaied him in the front. The expedition
was successful.
From the very first we sympathized
with the Spanish-American colonies in
their efforts to throw off the unjust rule
Of the mother country, and gave them sub
stantial assistance. We were the first
to recognize them when they gained their
independence, and we announced the Mon
roe Doctrine to prevent their being recov-
cred by Spain, assisted by other European
countries in the Holy Alliance. We did
then precisely as we did in sending our
troops to the Isthmus, to prevent Colombia
Transporting troops 10 IauaIna 10 TecoNer
possession of the territory.
Continuing chrOnolOgically, we gave the
strongest moral and financial support to
the Greeks, when they We're struggling to
gain their independence. Webster, Clay,
Calhoun, and others, made impassioned
speeches in the Senate, in favor of the
Greek cause, and the American people
sent not only many volunteers, but large
sums of money, provisions, and warlike
supplies to the aid of the Greeks, and we
promptly recognized their independence.
We were equally ready to recognize the
| independence of Belgium, when she sew
cred her connection with Holland.
We actually Went to the point of COM
mitting warlike acts against Austria when
the Hungarians were struggling for free
dom. With ports open, guns shotted and
run out and all the men at quarters ready
for battle, we demanded, upon the pain of
opening fire, the Hungarian patriot Kozta,
who was confined on an Austrian brig g-of-
war. He was given up to us under cir
cumstances that would have provoked war
| with almost any country i'll the world. and
we intensified this by the enthusiastic re-
ceptiOn which was given to the Hungarian
leader Kossuth and his followers. and the
| immense sums of money contributed to
| them.
All through the interminable wars
which disturbed the SpanlSh-Amerlcan
countries after their liberation from Spain
| we were invariably ready to recognize and
treat as Nation any people who broke
away from a wretched alliance and mis-
government. Instances of this kind are
almost too numerous to mention, and few
will suffice. For example: Mexico, after
achieving her independence. tried to ex-
ercise authority over Guatemala and other
| Central American States, even going to
war to inforce their obedience. We, how
| ever, recognized Guatemala as sovereign
independent State, and gave her moral
| support.
This is not the first time that We have
had to recognize the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
| the United States of Colombia. Ten years
after our recognition of her as the Repub-
| lie of New Granada, we recognize the Sc
cession from her of Venezuela and Ecua-
dor, which we promptly acknowledged as
separate Independent Nations. In another
10 years the Republic of New Granada be-
came the United States of Colombia. with
a totally revised Constitution based upon
our own, and again our recognition was
prompt and cordial.
An examination of history will show
that in our 127 years of National ex-
istence, we have recognized scores of Sc
ceding countries precisely as we have