New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-16
THE PANAMA CANAL.

The prospect that canal negotiations VIII De
successfully conducted with the new republic
of Panama appears to rouse the critics or our
government to fresh fury. They seem 10 hoid
that the United States should not proht, nor let
the world profit, from an accomplished fact In
the achievement of which this country had ap-
solutely no part. We wanted canal at ran
anna Some of these critics particularly wanted
il there in preference to anywhere else. but
Colombia would not assent to its constructor
on any reasonable terms Now part of Colon
ba revolts. reasserts its independence. actually
achieves that independence and offers US an
opportunity to fulfil our desire for canal
Thereupon these seif-apponted censors austere-
In declare that we should not avail ourselves OF
the opportunity. We should refuse TO deal Win
a government that is willing TO deal with US,
and insist that we will deal only with a govern
ment that will not deal withsus.
Such contentious are hopeless folly. 1t is no
business of ours that Panama has seeded from
Colombia The United States has no right TO
hold a grand inquistion TO determine whether
the people of Panama did right or did wrong in
seeding. The United States is not the droiteT
elegqnfiayun of South American relations. Its
business is not 10 pry into its neighbors mo-
tives hut TO recognize facts. 1t has often recog-
to IT. Why should it not recognize fact that
happens TO be TO its advantage Granted that
the people of Panama did secede for the ex-
press purpose Of securing the canal. We have
no doubt that they did so for that among other
reasons. as. indeed, they long beforehand threat
ened TO do. Is that any reason why we should
turn our back upon them? Should we say to
them that because they have made themselves
independent in order 10 be more friendly with
us. therefore we will not be friendly with them
A prettv position the United States would
nut itself into If il refrained from construct
ing the canal on such grounds! 1t has declared
that it wants to make a canal there rather than
elsewhere Then why not make it! Well, the
isthmus is in a disturbed state. But is not
America. under treaty of more than fifty years
standing authorized, and, indeed, required, TO
maintain order there? Yes, and ii has done so'
but it cannot make terms with the Bogota gov
eminent. But what has the Bogota govern
ment TO do with It? Is it in control or possess
sion of the isthmus? No il has been entirely
expelled. Then what government is in control:
That Of the independent State of Panama. is
IL willing that America should make the
canal? Oh. yes, and eager. Then why doesn't
America do it? Because it ought not TO recog-
nize an accomplished fact; because it ought not
10 deal with the actual government Of the land.
but should instead make motions at dealing
with a government which has been compelled
to get out. Then are TO understand that
when it couldn't, it would; and now that it
can. il won't?
There will be cause on November 26, among
our other grounds for national thanksgiving, for
profound and devout gratitude that the govern
ment has not been foolish enough or weak
enough to put the United States into situa-
ton SO imbecile.