The Brunswick daily news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1903-1906, 1903-11-17
Senator Clay, in Interview,
Says His Party Should
Go Slow
An INTERESTING ARTICLE
In the New York Herald the Georuis
Senator Gives Views Regarding
Colombia and Says the Dem.
ocrats Should go Slow.

Washington, Nov. 16.-In an inter
view published in today's New York
Herald, Senator Clay thus outlines the
democratic attitude on the Panama sit
uation;
Il am sure, from what | have heard
from democratic senators with whom
| have discussed the subject, that no
rash course will be taken by our
party that is likely to involve the Uni
ted States in war with Colombia
and South America or which will re-
fleet upon our honor or will interfere
with an isthmian canal.
Il have given some attention to the
Panama situation and find that Col
ombia has a population of 5000, ,00O
and Panama has but 285,000 Panama
is part OF Colombia and is subject to
the laws of Colombia.
1T appears that Panama has Sc
ceded and set up u government OF her
own. Columbia asserts that Panama
has no right to do SO, and will attempt
to bring her back To the parent gov
ernment. Now the situation, SO far
| as the United States is concerned, is
a serious one. We do not know off
cially that the president has recog-
nized Panama as an Independent ma
| ton. To solve a great problem like
this it is necessary To- understand in
teNnational law. When Panama left
the national government and establish
ed a government of her own, under in
| ternational law, we are entitled to
treat her as a beligerent-as a gov
ernment struggling for existence and
| trying to establish her independence
from a mother country. 1t is going a
long way to recognize the indepen-
dence of a government and treat it in
its independent capacity and relieve
it from its obligations to the parent
country. Such a course would likely
offend Colombia.
| If | remember correctly, England
recognized the Confederate states as
belligerents, but | understand the pres
ident recognized the independence of
Panama and proposed to treat with
her as a separate nation, without CON
sulting the Colombian government.
"That presents a most serious ques-
tion.
Under the circumstances we GER
| tainIy should act cautious and not has
tily Nations are not born in a day
and we should treat with Colombia
Just as we would strong nations like
England or Germany.
People of the south are practically
unanimous in favor of the isthmian
canal. | admit Colombia did not act
in good faith with us in rejecting the
| treaty; but we cannot do anything
that will involve us with such a weak
nation or do anything which would re-
! fleet upon the honor of this country,
even to secure such an important
waterway.
1T is my opinion that if the presi-
dent fails to secure the right of way
for the canal through Panama he IL
authorized to construct the Nicaragua
lcanal.
"This is imperative and if the law
is enforced we are obliged to get the
canal one way or the other 1t is OF
great importance to this country to be
on good trems with all South American
republics. We want their friendship
and we need their trade.
I'VE are now seeking reciprocity
with Cuba and our country has been
trying for years to obtain the bulk of
the trade OF South America OF course
Colombia and the countries which
smypathize with her would give us
no serious trouble in the case of war
but We desire to avoid by all honorable
lmeans, antagOnism from sister repub
lies, and We do not wish to erta0lisf
reputation throughout the world al
o a land grabber. II Panama, in lie
i gal way, shall become republic, thel
q We can treat with her to build
. canal"