La Junta tribune., 1903-12-12

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
pcrpetuate the solemn contract which
binds the holders OF the territory to re-
spect our right to freedom OF transit
across II. 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-
tions upon which the United States en-
tered in this treaty of 1SAs has been given
repeatedly In the utterances of Presl-
dents and Secretaries OF State. Secretary
Cass in 1855 officially stated the position
of this Government as follows:
1.-THE progress of events has rendered
the interoceanic route across the narrow
portion OF Central America vastly impor-
tant to tho commercial world. and espe-
cially to the United Stntes. whose pos
sessions extend along the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts. and demand the speediest
and easiest modes of communication.
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 a spirit be-
htting the occasion and the wants and
circumstances that have arisen. Sover-
eighty has Its duties as well 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 q
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 Pan
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
Will. nevertheless. hold themselves ready
to protect the transit trade across the
isthmus against invasion OF either do
mestic 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-
tion on this Government to comply with
the requisition fof the President OF the
United States OF Colombia for force to
protect the Isthmus OF Panama from n
body OF insurgents OF that countryl. The
antee the istbmus against seizure or in
vasion by n foreign power only"
For four hundred years, ever since
shortly after the discovery of this hem
isphere.. the canal across the isthmus has
Acen planned. For two score years 1t
has been worked at When made IL is to
last for the ages. 1t Is to alter the
geography OF n continent and the trade
routes of the world. We have shown by
every treaty we have negotiated or at
tempted to negOtiate with N in,
control Of the isthmus and with foreign
nations in reference thereto our consis.
tent good faith In observing our obliga-
tions; on the one hand to the peoples OF
the isthmus. and on the other hand to
the civilized world whose commercin
rights we are safeguarding and gunran-
tecing by our action. We have done Our
duty to others In letter and In spirit. and
we have shown the utmost forbearnnce In
exacting our own rights.
Last spring. under the act above re-
ferred to. treaty concluded between the
representatives of the Republic of CO.
iomnia ana OF our Government was rati-
fed by the Senate. This treaty was en-
tered into at the urgent solicitation of
the people of Colombia and after a body
OF experts appointed by our Government
especially to so 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 10 the people and
TO the Government Of Colombia. We were
more than just in dealing with them Our
generosity was such to make It a se-
rious question whether we had not gone
| too far In their interest Mt the expense OF
our own; for In our scrupulous desire to
pay all possible heed. not merely to the
real but even to the fancied rights of our
weaker neiGhbor. who already owed SO
much to our protection and forbearance.
We yielded In all possible ways to her
desires In drawing up the treaty. Never
thcless the Government OF Colombia not
merely repudiated the treaty. but repu-
dated IL In such manner as to make IL
evident by the time the Colombian Con-
grcss adjourned that not the scantiest
hope remained of ever getting n salts
factory treaty from them. The Govern
ment OF Colombia made the treaty, and
yet when the Colombian Congress was
called to ratIfy IL the vote against rati-
ncation was unanimous. II docs not np-
pear that the Government made any real
enort to secure ratification.
Revolution in Panama.
Immediately after the adjournment of
the Congress revolution broke out in
Panama. The people Of Panama had
long been discortented with the Republic
of Colombia. and they had been kept quiet
only by the prospect OF the conclusion
Of the treaty. which was TO them a mat
ter OF vital concern. When IL became
evident that the treaty was hopelessIy
lost. the people Of Panama rose literally
as one man. Not shot was fred by a
single man on the isthmus I'm the interest
OF the Colombian Government Not q
life was lost In the accomplishment of
the revolution The Colombian troops
stationed on the isthmus. who had long
been unpaid. made common cause with
the people of Panama. and with aston
ishing uranmity the new republic was
| started. The duty OF the United States
in the premises was clear In strict ac-
cordance with the principles laid down
by Secretaries Cass and Seward In the Of
| nciai documents above quoted. the United
States gave notice that II would permit
the landing of no e1peditionary force
the arrival of which would mean chaos
and destruction along the line of the rail-
road and OF tho proposed canal. and an
interruption OF transit an inevita bic
consequence The de facto Government
| of Panama was recognized in the follow
| ing telegram to Mr. Ehrman: