The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1903-12-11

territory has boon divided. Its SUCCESSOR
the Government Of Colombia. has ceased
to own any property In the lsthmus. A
new republic, that Of Panama, which was
at one time n sovereign state. and at
another time n mere department of the
successive considerations known as New
Granada and Colombia. has now sue
ceeded to the rights which first one and
then the other formerly exercised over
the isthmus. But as long as the isthmus
endures. the mere geographical fact of Its
existence. and the peculiar interest there
In which Is required by our position,
perpctuate the solemn contract which
binds the holders of the territory to re-
spect our right TO freedom OF transit
across it, and binds us In return to safe
guard for the isthmus and the world the
exercise of that inestimable privilege
The true Interpretation OF the obliga-
tons upon which the United States en-
tered in this treaty OF 1916 has been given
repeatedly In the utterances of Presi-
dents and Secretaries of State. Secretary
Cass in 1855 officially stated the position
of this Government as follows:
THE progress of events has rendered
the interoceanic route across the marrow
portion of Central America vastly impor-
tant to the commercial world, and espe-
cially to the United States, whose pos
sessions extend along the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, and demand the speediest
and easiest modes of communica ton.
While the rights OF sovereignty of the
states occupying this region should al
ways be respected. we shall expect that
these rights be exercised In n spirit be-
fitting the occasion and the wants and
circumstances that have arisen. Sover-
eighty has Its duties as well as its rights.
and none of these local governments.
even II administered with more regard to
the Just demands Of other nations than
they have been, would be- permitted. in
spirit of eastern isolation, to close the
gates Of intercourse on the great high
ways of the world. and Justify the act by
the pretension that these avenues OF
trade and travel belong to them and that
they choose to shut them, or, what Is
almost equivalent. to cucumber them
with such unjust relations as would pre-
vent their general use"
Seven years later. in 1865. Mr.. Seward
In different communications took the fol-
lowing position:
THE United States have taken and
will take no interest in any question of
internal revolution In the State of Pam
anna, or any State of the United States OF
Colombia, but Will maintain n perfect
neutrality In connection with such do
nestle alterations. The United States
VIII, nevertheless, hold themselves ready
to protect the transit trade across the
isthmus against invasion OF either do
nestle or foreign disturbers of the peace
OF the State OF Panama. Neither
the text nor the spirit Of the stipulation
in that article by which the United States
engages to preserve the neutrality of the
lsthmus OF Panama imposes an obliga-
Ton on this Government to comply with
the reduisition of the President of the
United States OF Colombia for force to
protect the 1sthmus OF Panama from a
body of insurgents OF that countryl The
purpose OF the stipulation was to guar
antee the isthmus against seizure or in
vasion by foreign power only
Attorney General Speed. under date OF
Nov. Z. 1855. advised Secretary Seward as
follows:
From TINS treaty 1t can not be sup
posed that New Granada invited the
United States to become party to the
Intestine troubles OF that Government,
nor did the United States become bound
TO take sides In the domestic brolls of
New Granada. The United States did
guarantee New Granada In the sovereign
~ and property over the territory, This
was as against other and foreign govern
ments."
For four hundred years. ever since
shortly after the discovery Of this hem.
sphere. the canal across the isthmus has
been planned. For two score years IL
has been worked at. When made II is to
last for the ages. It Is TO alter the
geography OF continent and tho trade
routes OF the world. We have shown by
every treaty we have negotiated or at.
tempted to negotiate with tine peoples In
control OF the isthmus and with foreign
nations IN reference thereto our consls-
tent good faith In observing OUR obliga.
tons; on the one hand to the peoples OF
the isthmus. and on the other hand TO
the civilized world whose commercial
NO gHatf.
teeing by our action. We have done our
duty to others In letter and in spirit. and
We have shown the utmost forbenIuuce In
oNncting our own rights.
Last spring, under the act above re-
ferred TO. treaty concluded between the
representatives OF the Republic OF Co.
l"mbla and of our Government was ratl-
fed by the Senate, This treaty was en-.
tered into at the urgent solicitation Of
the people Of Colombia and after body
OF experts appointed by our Government
especially TO 20 into the matter OF the
routes across the isthmus had pronounced
unanimously IN favor Of the Panama
route. In drawing up this treaty every
concession was made 20 the people and
Ia the Government OF Colombia We were
more than Just In dealing with them. our
generosity was such us TO make IL a re.
rlous question whether We had not zone
100 TAR IN their interest at the expense of
our own. for In our scfupulous dcsife To
pay all possible heed, not merely TO the
real hut even 10 the fancicd rights Of our
weaker nelghbor. who already owed 50
much 10 our protection and forbcarance.
"" yielded In all possible ways 10 her
desires In drawing up the treaty Never.
th"l"ss the Government Of Colombia not
merely ropudiatcd the treaty. hut rcpu-
dated II In such manner Rs To make II
evident by tho time the Colombian Com
Eress adjourned that not the scantiest
hope remained Of ever getting a salts.
factory treaty from them, The Govern
mcnt Of Colombia made the treaty, aud
yet when the Colombian Congress was
called to rntify II the vote against rati-
iicniiOn was unanimous, II does not an.
pear that the Government made any real
enort TO secure mtincation.
Revolution In Panama.
Immediately after the adjournment Of
the Congress n revolution broke out In
Panama. The people Of Panama had
long been DISCONTINUED with the Republic
OF Colombia. and they had been kent auict
only by the prospect OF the conclusion
Of the treaty, which was 10 them a mat.
ter OF vital concern when Il became
evident that the treaty was hnnrlsrsly
lost. the people Of Panama ross literally
rs one man. Not shot was fired by n
single man on the irthnus In the Interest
or ihf 'nl"UhlAh boNcitm"ut Not a
life was lost IN the accomplishment OF
the revolution, The Colombian troops
stationed ON tho iathmus who had long
been unpaid, made common cause with
the people ~ Panama, aud with aston.
lshing unnnlmlty the new republic wns
started, The duty OF the United States
In the promises was clear In strict nc.
cordhncc with the principles laid down
by Secretaries cnEH and Seward IN tho OF.
METAL documents above quoted. tho United
Rtntcs gave notice that Il would permit
tho landing pf No oaredltionaty force.
IN. arrival ~ which would mean chaos
and destruction along the line OF the rail-.
road AMI OF the proporcd canal. and an
interruption Of transit ~ IN Inevitable
consequence. The do fncto Government
~ Panama was recognized In the follow.
inE telcFfHn TO Mr Ehrmnni
'rhe people ~ Panama have, by AZ.
PATIENTLY unanimous movement dissolved
their political connection with the Ita.