Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-31

The most important events during
the wear which closes today were:
I. The Panama Revolution.
2. The death of Pope Leo XIII.
z. The Alaskan Boundary decision.
d. The Kishineff massacre OF the
Jews. I,
Trouble between Russia and
Japan.
6. The Iroquois Theater Chicago
fire.
The most important events of the year
1903 came with it's close. This was par
t,cu,ar,v true in the case of the United
States In this case the great problem Oh
a canal connecting the Atlantic and "a
cific oceans has been practically settled
during the last few weeks of 1903
By act of Congress June, 1902, the Presl-
dent was authorized to negotiate with the
republic of Colombia for the construction OF
a canal across the Isthmus of Panama.
In case of failure there he was to resort TO
the Nicaragua route. In accordance with
the action of Congress this government
acting with the representatives OF the re-
public of Colombia, formulated treaty LOT
the construction of a canal across the lsth-
mus of Panama. This treaty seemed 10
be immensely popular with the people, not
only of the department of Panama, out OF
the entire republic of Colombia, and. of
course had the sanction of the government
at Bogota This treaty was ratified by the
Senate of the United States last spring and
returned to the Colombian government for
action by the congress of that country
That congress, though its membership was
supposedly friendly to the treaty at the
time of the election, voted unanimously
against its ratification. This unexpected
action was a sore disappointment to the
government of this country, but it stirred
the people of Panama to revolt and opened
the way for speedier and in every way
more satisfactory solution Of the great
problem
A peaceful revolution took place in Pan
anna and government. republican in form,
was proclaimed November 3. The govern
ment of the United States promptly recog-
niZed the independence of the new republic,
and this action was speedily followed by
several of the leading European powers.
AS the origin of the revolt against the gen.
eral government of Colombia was the failure
on the part of that government to ratify
the canal treaty. the new republic of Pana-
was not long in sending Representatives
here to formula tie d new treaty for the con-
struction of the canal. Such a treaty was
soon drafted and is now pending before the
United States Senate, with seemingly fair
chances for ratification. BY the terms of
the treaty this government agrees to safe
guard the independence of the new republic.
The republic of Panama on Its part agrees
TO a perpetual grant of strip of land ten
miles wide. extending from ocean to ocean,
together with the usual territorial sea limits
of three nautical miles at each end of the
grant This. of course. includes any and
all islands within these limits. Over this
territory the United States has practically
unlimited control. including the right to
erect Notifications. maintain garrisons and
exercise all the rights of suzerainty. The
money consideration for these privileges is
100000 to be paid the republic of Pana-
ma on the conclusion of notifications, and an
annual payment of $3.50 600 beginning nine
years after such notifications.
The government of Colombia made some
show of resistance to the action of Panama
and modified troops at various points on
either ocean. with the professed intention of
dispatching them to the new republic for
the purpose of subduing 1t, but this govern
ment following up its acton IN recognizing
the independence OF Panama, promptly con-
centrated strong naval forces at Colon and
Panama to prevent such action on the part
OF the Colombians. In this connection it is
a matter of interest that the Colombian
troops stationed within the territory of
Panama at the time of the revolt Joined in
the revolutionary movement almost to
so that after centuries of hope and half a
century of active blt failing epdeavor n
now seems highly probable that this gigan-
tic undertaking. which means so much to
the commerce of the world. will at last be
brought to realization under the strong
hand OF the government of the United
States.