The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-11-07

conviction that the time had come for this
gigantic project to be carried out. 1t was
too great for individual OF corporate enter
prise. IL could only be initiated and car
r1ed TO q conclusion by a government OF
great power and vast resources, and the
only government TO which il was a POSSIBLE
ity was that of the United States.
LIBERAL TO COLOMBIA
by authorization of Congress the Presi-
dent entered into a treaty with the govern
ment of Bogota for the construction of a
canal by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
Wishing to show every consideration TO the
government of Colombia the treaty con-
tanned provisions Of extraordinary liberality.
A large bonus was given for the privilege of
constructing the canal. a liberal annual lease
was added. and all this was in addition TO
the numberless benefits which would accrue
10 the Colombian government and people
from the construction in their territory OF
this colossal work. The treaty was prompt,
~ ratified by the Senate of the United
States and rejected unanimously and with
out consideration by that of Colombia.
The suggestions which have been made
10 this government since the failure OF the
treaty I'm Bogota OF a renewal of negotia-
tons have been too vague and too extrava-
CANT 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 rea-
sonable prospect Of the accomplishment OF
the object upon which their hopes and de-
sides had been set for many years.
This brings US TO the sudden and start
ling 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 or
discomfort and anxiety among the people
OF Panama. II appears that the failure OF
the canal treaty convinced them that there
vroa - e. 80 900 - fIafr MN
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 Colombian
steamer in the harbor of Panama-they ac-
complished their independence. A govern
ment consisting of the leading citizens Of
the State was at once organized and pro-
claimed to the world; a part of the ColOm-
bian forces Joined the revolution; the rest
returning to Colombia and, SO far as we
are able TO judge, the new republic begins
its career with no organized opposition
throughout the entire extent of the isthmus.
FOLLOWED PRECEDENTS.
"The course Of the President in this con-
j~uncture was marked out in advance by all
our principles and precedents. He gave or
ders that traffic from one side of the 18TH
mus to the other should be kept unim-
peded by either party. and charged our
officers on the isthmus to use their utmost
influence to prevent any attack by one of
the c~ontending factions upon the other
which would be calculated to cause a dis
turbance Of traffic. When it was reported
TO him that a government capable of main
tanning order had been established and was
working without opposition, he did what is
always done under such circumstances He
directed 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
people, that he was TO enter into official
relations with 1t. He also directed our min
lister In BOgOta to inform the Colombian
government that we had entered into rela-
lions with the new provisional govern
ment OF Panama, and he took occasion,
relying upon the ties of friendship and the
valuable services which we have often rem
dered TO the people of Panama and the
government of Columbia, 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
hat not only our treaty obligations, but
the imperative demands of the interests of
civilization required him to put a stop,
which we hope and believe will be a 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 i'm
posed upon a chief Of state than that which
rested 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 m of the
world. to preserve for the benefit of all
free transit over the isthmus and to do all
that lay in his power to bring a permanent
peace to Its people