Gilpin observer., 1903-12-10


world. OF the means OF und;sturbed traD
sit across the Istbmus of Panama hal
become OF transcendent importance to
the Unitci States. We have repeatedly
exercised .his control by Intervening In
the course of domestic dissension. and
by protecting the territory from foreign
invasion. In 1868 Mr.. Everett assured
the Peruvian minister that we should
not hesitate to maintain the neutrality
of the isthmus In the case of war be-
tween Peru and Colombia. In 1864 CO.
lombia, which has always been vigIiaDt
to avail itself of its privileges conferred
by the treaty. expressed its expectation
that in the event of war between Peru
and Spain the United States would carry
into effect the guaranty of neutrality.
There have been few administrations of
the State Department in which this
treaty. has not either by the one side
or the other, been used as basis Of
more or less important demands. 1t was
said by Mr.. Fish in 1871 that the Depart
ment of State had rear1.i to believe that
an attack upon Colombian sovereignty
on the isthmus had, on several Occa-
sions, been averted by warning from this
Government. In 1886 when Colombia was
under the menace of hostilities from
Italy IL the Cerruti case, Mr.. Bayard ea-
pressed the serious concern that the
United States could not but feel, that a
European power should resort to force
against a sister republic of this hemis-.
pHeie, dS TO lue sovereign ana un1ntef-
rupted use of part of whose territory
we are gnarantors under the solemn faith
Of treaty.
The above recital of facts establishes
beyond question: First that the United
States has for over half a century pa
tiently and in good faith carried out its
obligations under the treaty of 1876; Sec
ond. that when for the first time it be-
came possible for Colombia to do any
thing in requital of the services thus re-
fa11
years by the United States. the Colombian
Government peremptorily and extensively
refused thus to do its part, even though
to do SO would have been to its advan-
tage and immeasurably to the advantage
of the State of Panama, at that time
under its Jurisdiction; third, that
throughout this period revolutions. riots.
and factional disturbances of every kind
have occurred one after the other in al
most uninterrupted succession. some Of
them lasting for months and even for
years. while the central government was
unable to put them down or TO make
peace with the rebels; fourth, that these
disturbances instead of showing any sign
of abating have tended to grow more nu-
merous and more serious in the imme-
diate past; fifth. that the control Of Co.
lombia over the Isthmus of Panama could
not be maintained without the armed in
terventiOn and assistance of the United
States. In other words. the Government
maintain order on the isthmus, has new
ertheless declined to ratify a treaty the
conclusion of which opened the only
chance to secure its own stability and to
guarantee permanent peace on. and the
construction Of canal across, the 18TH
mus.
Under such circumstances the Govern
ment of the United States would have
been guilty of folly and weakness.
amounting in their sum to a crime
ip-f fha hol ,Dtn ,fh rxxrSu
than it did when the revolution of Nov. 3
last took place in Panama. This great
enterprise of building the interoceanic
canal can not be held up to crafty the
whims or out of respect to the govern
mental impotence. or to the even more
sinister and evil political peculiarities. Of
people who. though they dwell afar OF.
yet, against the wish of the actual dwell
lers on the isthmus, assert unreal
supremacy over the territory. The pos
session of territory fraught with such
peculiar capacities as the isthmus in
| question carries with 1t obligations to
mankind The course OF events has
| shown that this canal can not be built
| by private enterprise. or by any other na-
tion than our own; therefore it must be
| built by the United States.
| Treaty With Republic of Panama.
| Every effort has been made by the Coy
ernment OF the United States TO persuade
| Colombia to follow a course which was
essentially not only to our interests and
to the interests of the world, but to the
interests of Colombia itself. These ef,.
forts have failed; and Colombia, BY her
persistence in repulsing the advances that
have been made. has forced us. for the
sake OF our own honor, and OF the inter-
est and well-being, not merely of our own
people, but Of the people OF the IsthmuS
OF Panama and the people of the civilized
countries of the world. to take decisive
steps to bring to an end condition Of
affairs which had become intolerable.
The new Republic of Panama Immediate
ly offered to negotiate a treaty with US.
This treaty herewith submit. BY It our
interests are better safeguarded than In
the treaty with Colombia which was rati-
| hed by the Senate at its last session. 1t h
better in its terms than the treaties Of
Tered to us by the Republics of Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica. At last the right
to begin this great undertaking is made
available. Panama has done her part
All that remains is for the American Con-
gress to do its part and forthwith this
Republic VIII enter upon the execution
Of a project colossal in its size and Of
well-nig-- incalculable possibilities for the
good Of this country and the nations Of
mankind.
Provisions Of Treaty.
By the provisions of the treaty the
United States guarantees and will MAIN
tain the independence of the Republic Of
Panama. There Is granted to the United
States in perpetuity the use. occupation.
and control of a strip ten miles wide and
extending three nautical miles into the
sea at either terminal. with all lands ly-
Ing outside Of the zone necessary for the
construction of the canal or for its aux
iliary works. and with the islands In the
Bay Of Panama. The cities of Panama
and Colon are not embraced In the canal
zone. but the United States assumes
their sanitation and, In case OF need. tho
maintenance of order therein: the United
States enjoys within the granted limits
all the rights. power. and authority which
II would possess were II the sovereign of
the territory to the exclusion of the ex-
ercise of sovereign rights by the Republic.
All railway and canal property rights be-
longing to Panama and needed for the
canal PASS to the limited Rtafea lr.rls,d-