The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1903-11-12
THE STATEMENT
Secretary Hay Defines the
Course of the United
States As To
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
In Close Accord With Precedent
and Treaty. Panama Defend
ed. Nothing to Hope from Co.
lOmbia.
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

Washington, Nov. 7.--Consul Gen
eral Gudger has been instructed to go
to Panama to do business directly
with the new government. In an in
terview, Mr.. Gudger said he was not
in the least surprised that the isthmus
had declared its independence. Five
months ago the revolution was fore
gone conclusion. They awaited the
adjournment of the Colombian con-
gIess and the destruction of their
last hope fo1 the ratification of the
canal treaty before taking this de-
decisive step. He expressed great
confidence in the personnel of the new
government. They have the respect
and confidence of natives and foreign
ers alike. The sentiment of the peo-
pie on the isthmus is cordial and
friendly toward the United States.
| They want independence, annexation
or anything else that will insure the
construction of the canal.
The President informs Consul Ehr-
man at Bogota that the people Of Pan
anna have resumed independence, and
directed him to enter into relations
with the new government when be is
satisfied that it is duly established,
and is capable of performing the
/ duties of an efficient government
1 Similar instructions were sent to. Min
/ is or Beaupre. He commends the gov
/ remnent of Colombia and Panama to
a peaceful and equitable settlement
! of all questions at issue between them.
The President holds that he is bound
not merely by treaty obligations but
by the interests of civilization, to see
that the peaceful traffic Of the world
across the isthmus shall not longer be
disturbed by a constant succession of
unnecessary and wasteful civil wars.
Secretary Hay makes a. statement in
regard to the Panama situation. The
action of the President i'll recognizing
the new government is i'll accordance
with the principles of justice and
equity and in line with the best
precedents of the governments policy.
The conditions and Requirements of
the treaty of 1916, with New Granada,
we're reviewed at length. The govern
ment's present position =, d action was
reinforced by citations from the mes
sage of President Polk in transmitting
the treaty to the Senate, asserting the
supreme interest of the United States
in the unobstructed transit of the
} istmhus; by the words of Secretary
Fish in 1871, ana Secretary BayarC
in 1886, when events brought to the
: front the matter of the United State
governments rights and interests OF
the isthmus. Secretary Hay discussed
the aim aud intent of the treaty o
1916, in it's relation to the construc
ton of canal, it's liberality and con
sideration in respect of the interest
having the sovereignty of the isthmus
while at the same time safeguardin
the interests of the United States.
The suggestions made to this govern
n ment since the failure of the treaty q
BOSOta OF T6n6Wtl VI htROtld1lol
, have been too vague and too extrava
CANT to merit the serious considerable
/; of the United States and they wer
:, such AS to create the impression on til
minds of the people of Panama tina
there was no reasonable prospect {
II the accomplishment of the object upo
which their hopes and desires ha
rs been set for many years. This brougl
on the sudden and startling even
% which have so recently attracted tn
attention of this country and I'll
TO world. With other causes of dissati
faction, the failure of the canal treat
% had convinced the people OF Panan
that there was nothing TO be hoped II
; in their connection with the Colon
bian government, which had never bee
-, quite satisfactory. They went
work, with that talent for prompt al
7 secret organization to which there
no parallel among people of northel
blood; they prepared the machinel
of revolution in advance, and sudde
ly in single day, without the f1ril