The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-11-10

Remember the name-Doan's-and
take no other
conyenes in extra session that he will
Introduce a resolution calling upon the
foreign relations committee Of the SEN
ate to obtain from the state department
a detailed report of the relations be-
tween the United States and Colombia
under the treaty of 1916. According to
Senator Morgan the attitude of this
country is not justified by a careful
construction of the provisions Of the
treaty and is at variance with preced-
ence laid down by the United States.
In discussing the situation today he
said:
"This is the fourth time the United
States has landed roops on the isthmus
under the cloak of the treaty. Hereto
fore it has been for the suppression Of
rioting and for the protection of Colon
bia. Now that it is against the wish Of
Colombia it undoubtedly will provoke
a just protest.
Colombia means to war. Of that I
am certain. This government will find
that it will have a series of compliCa-
tons on it's hands not unlike that
offered by the Indians when they were
met with the territorial aggression Of
this government, and the trouble the
Columbians will make will be similar to
that of the FilipinOs with the conduct
of warfare far more difficult. I believe,
however, the administration will not
have this matter to decide? 1t is a
question fer congress and that body is
likely to Shirk the responsibility"
THE PRESIDENT DEFENDED.
Washington, November 6.-The secre-
tary of state made today a statement
in regard to affairs on the isthmus of
Panama, which says:
The action of the president il the
Panama matter is not only in the street
est accordance with the principles of
justice and equity and in line with all
the best presidents of our public policy,
but it was the only course he could
have taken in compliance with cur
treaty rights and obligations"
After quoting the treaty of 1916 and
President Folks comment thereon, the
statement says the control of undis-
turbed transit across the iSthmuS has
become of t~ranscendent Importance to
the United States. The statement cites
precedents and continues
The United States has not only con
Stantly protected Colombia from foreign
invasion on the strength of the rights
and the duties created by the treaty o;
1876, but has time and again interview
ed to preserve the freedom of traffic
from disturbance in the course of do
nestle discussions. In these cases We
have interviewed some times at the sug-
oactin- Of Cn1nrn hia coma Times on 0l1T
own impression of the necessities of the
case, but always, to the profit of Co
lombia as we'll as of universal com
merce.
1T is therefore, too clear for discus
sion that when, at the repeated solicit
tation of the government of Colombia
a treaty was entered into between that
government and the United States for
carrying into effect the long-considered
plan of a cana across the Lothmus, to
be owned and controlled by the govern
ment Of the United States, it was no
new proposition that was being adopted.
but rather the carrying out of a long
cherished plan of both countries n the
assertion of a right which had been
long since been conceded in principle
by the government OF Colombian
The statement refers to the rejection
of the canal treaty by Colombia and its
influence upon the people of
melting them to revolution. The course
of the president in this cOnjunCture,
says the statement, was marked out in
advance by all our principles and pre-
cedents.
After summarizing the acts Of the
government during the last two or three
days the statement concludes by say
ing that the president gave notice to the
world that not only our treaty Oblga-
tons. but the imperative demands. OF
the interests of civilization required him
10 put a stop. which We hope and be-
iieve will be a inal one, TO the incessant
contests and chickering's which have
been for so many years the curse OF
Panama. Having regard only to the
present crisis and the needs OF tn
hour, no palmer duty was ever impos-
ed upon a chief of state tina that
which rested upon the president Of the
United States in the interest OF the
isthmus. the people Of Colombia, the
people of the United States and the
of the world. to preserve. for
the benefit of all. free transit over the
istmus and 10 do all that lay in his
power 10 bring q permanent peace TO is
people"