The San Francisco call., 1903-12-08
Negotiations Bear
Stamp of Honesty
Good Faith of the United
States Displayed in All It's
Relations Concerning the
ISthmian Canal Territory

FJr 400 years. ever since shortly after the
discovery OF this hemisphere the canal across
the isthmus has been planned. For two score
is TO last for the ages 1t is to alter the
geography OF continent and the trade routes
OF the world We have shown by every treaty
we have negotiated or attempted to negotiate
with the peoples in control Of the isthp1us and
with foreign nations in reference thereto our
tions; on the one hand TO the peoples OF me
isthmus and on the other hand 70 the civihzed
world whose commercial rights We are safe
guarding and guaranteeing by our action We
have done our duty to others in letter and In
spirit and We have shown the utmost f0rbear-
ance in exacting own rights
Last spring. under the act above referred
to. treaty concluded between the representa-
tives OF the republic Of Colombia and OF our
Government was ratified by the Senate This
treaty entered into at the urgent solicit
tation Of the people OF Colombia and after a
body OF experts appointed by our Government
especially TO go into the matter OF the routes
across the isthmus had pronounced unanl-
mously in favor of the Panama route IN
drawing up this treaty every concession was
made to the people and TO the Government OF
Colombia. We were more than Just IN deal-
inc vVfth them our generosity was such a
to make 1t a serious question whether We nad
not gone too far in their interest at the ex-
pense Of our own; for In our scrupulous de-
sire to pay all possible heed. not merely 10
the real but even to the fancied rights OF our
weaker neighbor who already owed so mucn
to our protection and forbearance. we yielded
in all possible ways to her desires In drawing
up the treaty.
Nevertheless, the Government Of Colombia
not merely repudiated the treaty. put fepu-
dated IL in such manner as TO make Ii evl-
dent by the time the Colombian Congress ad-
iourned that not the scantiest hope remained
of getting a satisfactory treaty from
them The Government of Colombia made the
treaty and yet when the Colombian Congress
was called to ratify 1t the vote against rati-
hcation was unanimous IL does not appeai
that the Government made any real effort TO
secure ratification
Immediately after the adjournment Of the
The people of Panama had long been dlscon5
tented with the republic of Colombia. ana
they had been kept quiet only oy the 5ict PI1J
was to them matter Of vital concern Nheh
il became evident that the treaty was nope
lessly lost the people OF Panama rose uter-
aIIv as one man Not shot was fired by a
single man on the isthmus in the interest OF
the Colombian Government Not lie was
Trha Colombian troops stationed on the 18th
mus who had long been unpaid made common
astonishing unanimity the new republic was
started The duty OF the United States in
the premises was clear. In strict accordance
with the principles laid down BY secretaries
caes and seward in the official documents
above quoted the United States gave notice
that 1t would permit the landing OF no sxpeol-
tfonarv force the arrival OF which would mean
chaos and destruction along the line OF the
railroad and OF the proposed canal. and an
ssouance The de facto Government Of Pana-
ma was recognized In the following telegram
to Mr. Ehrman:
ssrThe people OF Panama have. by apparently
,na nfrno;1s movement. dissolved their political
connection with the republic OF Colombia and
resumed their independence. When you are sat
tsfed thaf q de facto government, republican in
form and without substantial opposition from
its own people. has been established in the
state OF Panama. you VIII enter into relations
with II as the responsible government OF the
TERRITORY and look TO II for all due action to
protect the persons and property OF citizens OF
the United States and TO keep open the 18th
mian transit in accordance with the oblga-
tious CT existing treaties governing the rela-
tions of the United States to that territory.
The Government OF Colombia was notified OF
our action by the following telegram to Mr.
Beaupre: