Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07
the world the exercise of that inesti-
mable privilege.
The Canal Negotiations.

mable privilege.
The Canal Negotiations.
It is, therefore, too clear for discussion
that when, at the repeated solicitation of
the government of Colombia. a treaty was
entered into between that government and
the United States for carrying into effect
the long-considered plan of canal across
the isthmus, to be owned and controlled by
the government of the United States, it was
no new proposition that was being adopted,
but rather the carrying out of long
cherished plan of both countries and the
assertion of right which had been long
since conceded in principle by the govern
ment of Colombia. 1t was the universal
conviction that the time had come for this
gigantic project to be carried out. 1t was
too great for individual or corporate enter
prise. 1t could only be initiated and car
ried to conclusion by government of
great power and vast resources, and the
only government to which it was a posi-
bility was that of the United States By
authorization of Congress the President
entered into a treaty with the government
of Bogota for the construction of canal
by way of the 1sthmus of Panama. Wish
ing to show every considera ton to the
government of Colombia, the treaty con-
tanned provisions of extraordinary liberali-
ty. A large bonus was given for the privi
lege OF constructing the canal, a liberal
annual lease was added and all this was In
addition to the numberlesS benefits which
would accrue to the Colombian government
and people from the construction in their
territory of this colossal work. The treaty
was promptly ratified by the Senate of the
United States and rejected unanimously
and without consideration by that of Co.
lombia.
The suggestions which have been made
to this government since the failure of the
treaty In BogOta of a renewal of negotia-
tons have been too vague and too extrav-
agant to merit the serious consideration of
the United States; and they were such as
to create the impression on the minds of
the people of Panama that there was no
reasonable prospect of the accomplishment
OF the object upon which their hopes and
desires had been set for many years
The Revolt in Panama.
This brings us to the sudden and startling
events which have so recently attracted
the attention of this country and of the
world. Although there has been no lack for
many years past of numerous causes of dis
content and anxiety among the people of
Panama. 1t appears that the failure of the
canal treaty convinced them that there was
nothing more to be hoped for in their con-
nection with the Colombian government,
which had never proved entirely satisfac-
tory. They went to work with that talent
FOR prompt and secret organization to which
there Is no parallel among people of north
ern blood:~they prepared the machinery of
revolution In advance. and suddenly. in a
single day, without the firing of a shot
with the exception of a few shells that
were thrown into the city from a Colom-
bian steamer in the harbor Of Panama
they accomplished their Independence
government consisting of the leading cit
liens of the state was at once organized
and proclaimed to the world; a part of the
Colombian forces joined the revolution: the
rest returned to Colombia, and, so far as
we able to judge, the new rep.,blic he
gins its career with no organized opposition
throughout the entire extent of the isthmus
Course of the President,
The course of the President in this con-
juncture was marked out in advance by all
our principles and presidents. He gave or
ders that traffic from one side of the 18TH
mus to the other should be kept unimpeded
by either party, and charged our officers on
the isthmus to use their utmost influence
to prevent any attack by one of the con-
tending factions upon the other which
would be calculated to cause a disturbance
of traffic. When 1T " as reported to him that
a government capable Of maintaining order
had been established and was working
without opposition he did what is always
done under such circumstances He d.
rected our representative at Panama as
soon as he was certain that a government
capable of maintaining the public peace had
been established by the consent of the peo-
pie, that he was to enter into official rela-
tons with 1t.
He also directed our minister in Bogota
to inform the Colombian government that
we had entered into relations with the new
provisional government of Panama, and he
took occasion, relying upon the ties of
friendship and the valuable services which
we have so often rendered to the people Of
Panama and the government of Colombia
to commend to the respective governments
the peaceful and equitable settlement of all
questions at issue between them. He took
occasion at the same time to give notice to
the world that not only our treaty obliga-
lions, but the imperative demands of the
interests of civilization, required him to put
q stop, which we hope and believe will be
final one, to the incessant civil contests and
chickering's which have been for so many
years the curse Of Panama Having regard
only to the present crisis and the needs Of
the hour. no palmer duty was ever imposed
upon chief Of state than that which rest
cd upon the President of the United States
In the interest of the isthmus, the people of
Colombia, the people OF the United States
and the commerce OF the world, to pre-
serve, for the benefit Of all. free transit
over the istfrnus and to do all that lay In
his power to bring permanent peace to
its people.