New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
PROTECTION OF TRANSIT.

Seven years later in 1863. Mr.. Seward. in diff
ferent communica tons. took the following posi-
ton:
The United states have taken and will take no
@ III sn B 9uSs''o n anv stata Of the United
States of Colombia, but will maintain perfect
cations The tinted States win, nevertheless, hold
themselves ready 10 protect the transit trade across
the isthmus against invasion Of either domestic
foreign dsturbes Of the peace Of the State OF Pan
anna. Neither the text nor the spirit OF the
stipulation in that article by which the United
states engages to pTeseFse tS blo on l tRis
government to comply with the requistion Iof the
force to protect the Isthmus Of Panama from a
body Of Insurgents Of that country J. The purpose
against seizure or invasion by a foreign power.
Attorney General Speed under date of No
vember = 1865 advised Secretary Seward as
follows:
From this treaty IT cannot be supposed that New
party to the intestine troubles of government,
nor did the United States become bound TO take
sides in the domestic broils OF New-GSranada- The
United States did guarantee New-Granada in the
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 twOscore years II has been wOrked'at When
made, il is 10 last for the ages. 1t is TO alter
the geography Of a continent and the trade
routes Of the world. We have shown by every
treaty He have negotiated attempted 10. ne
gotfate with the peoples in control Of the 18TH
mus and with foreign nations in reference
thereto our consistent good faith in observing
our obligations the one hand to the peoples
of the -isthmus and on the other hand to the
civilized world. whose commercial rights
are safeguarding and guaranteeing by our
ton We have done our duty TO others in letter
and in spirit and have shown the utmost
forbearance in exacting our own rights.
TREATY REPUDIATED BY COLOMBIA
Last spring under the act above referred 10.
q treaty concluded between the representatives
OF the Republic of Colombia and of our govern
r1ent was ratified by the Senate. This treaty
was entered into at the urgent solicitation OF
he neople of Colombia, and after q body Of
ewue-ts appointed by government especially
70 90 into the matter Of the routes across the
tsrhTnus had pronounced unanimously in favor
1t H. panama route In drawing up this treaty
every concession was made TO the people and
- The Government Of Colombia We were more
tbav inst in dealing with them. our generosity
uas such as 10 make il serious question
whether We had not gone too faf IN thelr inter
esf al the expense Of own; for IN our
sCruDvIous cegire 10 pay all possible heed, not
rnerel, TO the real, but even 10 the fancled
lights Of our weaker neighbor. who already
a,.,sd 40 much 10 our protection and forbear-
snce We Welded in all possible ways 10 her de-
sires ia drawing up the treaty. Nevertheless,
~. government OF Colombia not merely repudi-
ofed the treaty but repudiated II IN such man
U.er as ia make IL evident by The time the CO.
lornbian Congress adjourned that not the scan
TEST hope remained Of ever getting salls-
fsctorV treaty. from them. The government or
Colombia made the treaty and yet when me
ColoFnh ian Congress Was called 10 ratlIy IL tne
vote against ratification Yves unanimous Il