The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-12-05
rae PANAMA AFFAIR.

We don't think anyuOuy OuSH
tn pay any attention to Democratic
criticism on the action of the Ma
tional Administration in connection
with the Panama affair, because
| in the first place, it is not sincere
and, in the second place, it has no
Justification.
After the Panama revolution, and
recognition Of the new government
by the President, Democratic lead
ers held meeting to discuss which
would be the better party politics.
to approve the action of the Presl-
dent or condemn it. The leaders
corld not agree on that point, halt
looking at it one way and half the
other. The question of the right
and wrong of it did not cut any
figure, it was the politics of it that
concerned the concocters of Demo-
cratic principles.
Naturally. most of the Democrat
and Mugwump newspapers have
begun to criticise the National Ad-
ministration, but in noticeably
hating and half hearted way. They
feel pretty sure that, in the end,
the leaders will follow the time-hon"
ored habit of opposing the Govern
ment, so they risk a little criticism
: in advance of orders. 1t is all right
for Democrats to exercise them
selves in that way so long as no.
body takes them seriously.
The whole truth about the Pan
anna business is that the United
States made square deal with the
) Colombian government for right
: of way across the Isthmus OF Pan
anna to construct a canal. The
terms were the payment down by
) the United States of 10 millions OF
, dollars and $25o,ooo a year forever
after. When the Colombian legis-
lature met, the question of handling
that money appealed to every states
: mans hearts. Like the great Amer
lean statesman, the Colombians
: each wanted to do it himself. Out
E of these patriotic considerations grew
E factional strife, which was partly
t patched up by an agreement to
l strike Uncle Sam for IS millions
more. That would give them
1 enough to go all around. So they
repudiated the deal already made
: and adjourned to give Uncle Sam a
i chance to cough up. But he wasn't
= coughing. The gang around Pan
= anna got weary, and said among
t themselves, let's throw off the yoke
d and swipe the 10 millions ourselves
Il before Uncle Sam takes a notion t
It tackle Nicaragua, and we get left
). The scheme took like house fire
= The yoke was dumped and the
:, bows thrown into the sea. 1t wa:
: altogether a decent, Christian littl'
!" revolution without bloodshed o.
o unnecessary noise and confusion
= In 1o hours it was all over and the
= de facto government comfortably
d started in business. There WASH
q anything else within 400 miles o
IT there that looked anything like ;
o government or even a caucus, 81
?, the President said: "You're it
$ you look good to me; I see you anc
= pass the buck" In E hours Min
); lister Plenipotentiary and Ambassa
( dor Extraordinary of the Republic
/" of Panama, all done up in a littl'
e Frenchman from Calais, drove vi
y to the White House and sent in hi.
l. card. The President received hin
is cordially and passed the time O
:. day. The Minister winked ant
3 said, SCOT it here in my pocket.
" The President is quick in the head
Ne and without further parley told tn
IS Plenipotentiary to see Hay. AM