Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-07
A STATE EMIT.
Presidents Course in Panama Case
Strictly in Line with Precedent.

| Washington, Nov. G-The secretary of
state made n statement, today, in re-
gard to affairs on the isthmus of Pana-
ma, in which he says:
| THE action Of the President in the
Panama matter is not only in the strict
est accordance With the principles of
justice and unity and in line with all
the best precedents of our public pol
icy. but on which the only course he
gould have taken in compliance with our
Etleaty rights and obligations. By our
Etreaty ventured into New Granada in the
year 1860, New Granada guarantees that
/ hesff;sshtspf way or transit across the
tistfmHkof} Panama upon modes of COM
k1nuniRatin That now exist or that may
hereaft eE abe constructed shall be free
land enen Nc the government and citi-
5zfaM ofthe Dnited States.
| 993shis rs a right which we acquired by
| t&E treaty, not gratuitously, but in re-
N1rn forglan important compensation.
for M the same article the government
|, at1hc United States guarantees posi-
| tiyely and effieaciously to New Gran
ada by The present stipulation the per-
feet neutrality of the before mentioned
Eistl1nius with the view that the transit
|afrorh one sea TO the other may not be
|; interrupted org embarrassed in future
Willie tfiis treaty exists ana in conse-
ducnce the United States guarantees in
the same manner. the right of sover-
eignty and property which New Gran
ada has and possess, over the said
territory -.
The close connection fhus created be-
tween the two governments was well
set forth by President Polk in his
message transmitting the treaty to
the Senate He said:
''The route by the isthmus of Pa
mama is the shortest between the two
oceans, and from the Information here
with communicated, it would seem to
be the most practicable for n railroad
or canal. The vast advantages to our
commerce which would result from
such a communication not only with
the west coast of America, but with
Asia and the islands OF the Pacific, are
too obvious for Il long and dangerous
navigation of more than 5000 miles
around the Horn and render our COM
Imunication with our own possessions
on the northwest coast of America
comparatively easy and speedy.
mature of which We're at once recog-
nized so long ago. have become more
and more important in every year that
| has elapsed since the treaty was writ
| ten. Our acquisition of Hawaii and
the Philippines has given them a great
j'Iy enhanced vitality. The control IN
the interest of the commerce and trait
| fc OF the whole civilized world. of the
means of undisturbed transit across
| the isthnus of Panama. has become OF
| transcendent import to the United
! States The right to this control we
have never forfeited by any laXlty
of our own either in the assertion
of our rights or in, the perform
ance of our duty under the
| treaty. The United States has not only
! constantly protected Colombia, from
| foreign invasion on the strength of the
| rights and duties created by the treaty
| of 1S46. but has time and again inter-
| yenod sometimes at the suggestion of
| Colombia. sometimes OH our own inn
| nrassion of the necessities of the case,
| hut ALWAYS to the profit of Colombian
as wou as of universal commerce. The
| noeition of the United States was clear
" set forth by Mr.. Seward in these
| words: THE United States have taken
and will take no interest in any ques-
| ton of internal revolution III the state
| of Panama or any state OF the united
| States Of Colombia. but will MAINTAIN 2
perfect neutrality in regard to such
domestic controversies. The United
States WILL nevertheless hold themseiv-
es 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.
1t must not be lost sight of that this
Treaty is not dependent for its EMERGENCY
on the personnel of the signers or the
name of the territory it affects. IL Is
Ecoyenant. as the lawyers say, that runs
I with the land. The name OF New
i Granada has passed away; It's terri
il tory has been divided. But as long as
II the .isthmus endures, the great geo.
H graphical fact keeps alive the soiefi'n
A compast which binds the holders OF
i the territory to grant us freedom Vi
Il transit and binds us in return 10 SAT-
Il guard for the isthmus ana tie "o' ~
that inestimable privilege.
i BY authority of Congress the fresl-
dent entered into treaty with the gov
i eminent of Pogota for the construction I
i of a canal by way of the lsttiius VI
Il Panama. Wishing to show cohsidera-
A ion 70 the government Of Colombia the
a treaty contained provisions OF eA'i az !.
4 binary liberty. The Suggestions Wnle,'
4 have beep made to this government
l