Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-25
THE PANAMA CAN AL
SOME OF THE DIFFICULTIES OF
THE ENTERPRISE.
Relationship Between the United States
and Spanish American
Republics.
Ar,,,,m coloubopn in Boston transcript.

Archibald R Colquhoun in Boston Transcript.
The most vital point in connection with
the canal Is the inevitable change II VIII
create in the relationship OF tho uh'eo
States with the Spanish American repuo-
lies and yet this has entered very ht'ie ih'o
the debates on the subject or the discus
slons In the press one reason LOT 'ho
writer's championship OF the NICARAGUA
route was his belief that the presence IN
that country of a canal belonging to the
United States would have involved com
parativey few changes In her Foreign
policy and relations. 1t Is otherwise with
Panama.
Although most people are aware that Co
lombla Is not by any means model re-
public very few realize the actual conui-
ton of affairs there and In some of the
neighbnring countries. Indeed. 1t Is impos-
Sible for those who have not seen with
their own eyes and heard with their own
ears to believe that such condition OF AFFAIRS
can prevail within few days journey or
the territories of the great civil!zing Anglo
Saxon powers. The financial condition of
the country IS realized. however. as soon
as one lands on Colombian soil and changes
Il silver dollar for fifty paper dollars OF
local currency. Coins (gold. silver or cop
per- there are practically none, and during
governments simply issue paper notes as
fast as the printing press can turn them
out During the late revolution one ingeni-
Gus gentleman. having command of the
type of "A small local news sheet, combined
the rough cuts for advertisements and add
ing appropriate letter press issued very
striking banknote which he circulated with
much success. The internal debt incurred
during the past three years of revolution
has been piled up till on "a modern COM
has reached the n SfOO
ND.ou Taxation has been pressed to its
utmost limit. and there IS absolutely no
legitimate method by which the govern
ment raise money to rehabilitate the
national finances The claims of foreign
ers, which are considerable. Will be- pressed
at the first opportunity.
Colombian Finances
The financial embarrassment Of Colom-
bia is not. however. the worst feature In
her condition. Three years revolution has
cost her dear in lives. and though reliable
figures are not obtainable 1t Is certain that
the adult male population has been practi-
cally decimated. The government-backed
by none of the political parties-either the
liberal party On oppositioD. the national
list conservative or the historical conserva-
uve-is upheld only by bayonets; law and
order. where obtained. are due merely to
exhaustion. and the anti-clerical party-at
while life remains. The Panama district Is
considerably removed from the capital, the
center of activity, and has always been
the resort OF turbulent spirits. With no
land communication and ten days journey
by road. river and sea from Bogota It can
not conveniently be controlled by the Co
l"mhian government. 1t will fall to the
nited States. therefore. to police this dis
trict and she will thus find 1t difficult to
avoid becoming involved in the internal
politics of the country. 1t Is obvious that
the importation of a large population of la
borerS into the canal strip will lead to In
terCourse with the whole district. and law
and order must be enforced throughout
Panama II the work IL to proceed smoothly
There are various instances of works being
carried by strong powers through the ter
ritories of weak ones and In every case the
former have become involved and have vol
UNFAIRLY or involuntarily become practical
masters of the districts so controlled.
Cause of Revolutions.
When the weaker state is in such q con-
dition "a Colombia the end is inevitable
Justice there Is none in this enlightened
twentieth century republic. The opposing
parties in the state fight each other with
weapons such as were used in the middle
ages. Taxation is arbitrary and imprison-
ment without trial frequent. offices are
bought and officials corrupt to the point of
shamelessness In Cartagena. a city visited
Ivy hundreds Of tourists every year and the
residence of a European colony. one can
In the old walls dungeons. ventilated only
10y narrow doorways. in which hundreds of
men were herded together during the last
revolution for periods of twelve to eighteen
months and fed only by friends and rela-
tives from outside Their crime anti
Clericalism
This Is the country through whose terri
tory the canal Will pass. Its internal con-
dition need not be further described. but
s.yAs do mot t,0 oh tta 10
ton with neghboring states
Colombia is strongly clerical: It's neigh
hDrs. Venezuela and Ecuador. are as strong
IL liberal and secular. Colombia promoted
the clerical rebellion In Venezuela which
country in return supported the liberals in
Colombia. Nicaragua is in sympathy with
Ecuador and Venezuela. and has secretly
tpstrred the revolutionary party in Colon
hia. but. although there appears to be In
these republics Overwhelming ma jority
FOR the anu-Clericals. the church has still
II most powerful hold on the people and has
no intention OF relaxing 1t. The inner his
tory OF the Spanish American republics
would reveal n tangled weD of intrigue in
which the odium theologicum plays q prin-
cipal part. There is no possibility that
these differences can be adjusted under
present conditions: they have their roots
deep in the social and political organiza-
ton VIII 1t be possible for great power
engaged In colossal work in one Of these
republics. to ignore the petty warfare being
waged on every side?
Next We come To the Monroe doctrine
which some. at all events OF the Central
American republics. still regard as a guar
antee that they can muddle along as thew
like without Interference The opening OF
trade route from Atlantic to Pacific must
inevitably lead to great development of
the countries adjoining it. European and
n!ted states capital will procure that de-
Eeiopment. and stable conditions of gov
eminent and commercial Intercourse will
become more and more necessity Under
these circumstances II will become tncre,s
tngly difficult TO apply the Monroe doctrine
no matter how modified. unless the United
states government itself assumes respon-
SioiltS Tor the preservation of law and or
der and fulfillnent OF agernents
Although 1t will undoubtedly add greatly
10 her responsibilities. the United States
cannot hnord to delay the construction OF
the canal.