The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1903-12-10

I
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,
perpetuate the solemn contract which
binds the holders Of the territory to re-
spect our right to freedom Of transit
across 1t, and binds US In return to safe
guard for the isthmus and the world the
exercise of that inestlmable 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 1868 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 the commercial world, and espe-
cially to the United States, whose pos
sessions extend along the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts, and demand the speedlest
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-
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 a
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
ANA, or any State of the United States Of
1o,onlp I, pu' win MAINTAIN perfect
leu.ia''.y III connection WIN sucn 90
nestle alterations. The United States
will, nevertheless, hold themselves ready
to protect the transit trade across the
isthmus against invasion Of either do
nestle or foreign disturbers OF the peace
WI tne ota'e OF fahaina' Neither
the teAt nor tile spirit OF inc stipulation
III tiial articie ny Whlcn tne United states
tnsases u preserve 'ne heutfality Oh the
ls.h'hus OF Fanama' imposes an obllga-
s,oh On lhis Government to comply with
,he requisitioh loI lhe president OF the
ohi'eu o.ates Oh Coiompla iof force to
mo.ecl the lslilinus OF Panama from
oouy Vi insurgents OF that country. The
purpose Oh the stlpulatlon was to guar
ahtee the lsthmus against seizure or in
'asioh ny d foreign power only"
for TOUT hundred years, ever since
shortly aiter the discovery Oh this hem
sphere, lhe canal across the isthmus has
peen Planned FOR two score years 1t
nag peen worked at When made 1t is to
geography of a continent and inc trade
routes of the world. We have shown bv
every treaty we have negotiated or at.
tempted to negotiate with tne neonlos in
control Of the isthmus and With fore,gn
nations in reference tbereto our oors;s
tent good faith in observing mir ohliga.
lions; on the one hand to tbe neonlas a,
the istbmus. and IN tbe other band IN
the civilized world wboss commoro,ai
rights we are safeguarding and r,aren
teeing by our action W. have done air.
duty to others in latter ond IN SWIFT ona