The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08

teed the perfect neutrality of the above
mentioned isthmus with the view that the
might not be interrupted or embarrassed.
The treaty vested I'm the United States a
substantial property right carved out or
rights OF sovereignty and property which
New Granada then had and possessed over
the said territory.
Treaty Obligations.
The name of New Granada has passed
away and it's territory has been divided.
Its successor. the government of Colom-
bia, has ceased to own any property in the
isthmus. A new republic, that of Panama,
which was at one time a sovereign state,
and at another tine a mere department
of the successive considerations known as
New Granada and Colombia, has now sue
ceeded TO the rights which first one and
then the other formerly exercised over the
isthmus. But long the isthmus en-
dures the mere geographical fact or It's
existence. and the peculiar interest therein
which is required by our position, perpet-
uate the solemn contract which binds the
holders OF the territory to respect our
right to freedom of transit across 1T, and
binds us In return to safeguard for the
isthmus and the world the exercise of that
inestimable privilege. The true interpreta-
ton of the obligations upon which the
United States entered in this treaty of 1886
has been given repeatedly In the utterances
of Presidents and secretaries of state.
Secretary Cass in 1858 officially stated the
position of this government as follows: 1.-The
progress of events has rendered the inter-
oceanic route across the narrow portion or
Central America vastly important TO the
commercial world, and especially to the
along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts, and
demand the speediest and easiest modes of
communication. While the rights of SOW
ereignty of the states occupying this re-
gion should always be respected, We shall
expect that these rights be exercised in
spirit betting the occasion and the wants
and circumstances that have arisen. Sow
ereignty has it's duties as well as its rights,
and none of these local governments, even
If administered with more regard to the just
demands of other nations than they have
Eastern isolation, TO close the gates of in
tercourse on the great highways of the
world, and justify the act by the preten-
sion that these avenues Of trade and travel
belong to them and that they choose to shut
them, or, what is almost equivalent, to
cucumber them with such unjust relations
as would prevent their general use."
Seven years later, in 1866, Mr.. Seward in
different communications took the following
position:
Mr.. Stewards Position.
'The United States have taken and will
take no interest in any question of internal
revolution In the State of Panama, or any
State of the United States of Colombia.
but will maintain perfect neutrality in
connection with such domestic alterations.
The United States will, nevertheless, hold
themselves ready to protect the transit trade
across the isthmus against invasion of
either domestic or foreign disturbers of the
peace OF the State OF Panama
Neither the text nor the spirit of the stipu-
lation in that article by which the United
States engage to preserve the neutrality
or the lSthmuS OF Panama, imposes an OBJ
legation ON this government to comply with
the requisition of the President of the
United States Of Colombia for a force 10
protect the Isthmus of Panama from a
body of insurgents of that country. The
purpose of the stipulation was to guaran-
tee the isthmus against seizure or invasion
by a foreign power only.
Attorney General Speed, under the date
of Nov. 7, 1866, advised Secretary Seward as
follows: From this treaty it cannot be
supposed that New Granada invited the
United States to become a party to the in
the United States become bound to take
sides in the domestic broils Of New Granada.
The United States did guarantee New
Granada in the sovereignty and property
over the territory. This was as against
other and foreign governments"
For four hundred years, ever since shortly
after the discovery of this hemisphere, the
canal across the isthmus has been planned
For two score years 1t has been worked
at. When made it 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 isthmus and with foreign
nations in reference thereto our consistent
good faith in observing our obligations; on
the one hand to the peoples of the isthmus,
and on the other hand to the civilized world
whose commercial rights we-Are safeguard
ing and guaranteeing by our action. We
have done our duty to others In letter and in
spirit, and we have shown the utmost for
hpor Qnno in Of I'M naIr