The sun., 1903-11-25
Colombia and the New Granada
Treaty.

It seems more and more clear every
day that very few Of those who discuss
the Panama affair have studied the text
of the New Granada treaty Of lS4e. There
is evidence OF ignorance in letter which
Mr.. BoNAPARTE WYsE has written to
the Paris Ecldir, thus summarized:
1T France should finally renounce her rights.
the United States might play the leading role. on
condition that 1t Indemnity the interested parties.
Having regard to the dignity OF Colombia. NJ
WYsB suggests that. II diplomacy should fall. the
questions at Issue might be submitted TO The Hague
tribunal. He points out that colomblns Efforts
TO regain the lsthmian territory might meet with
difaculsy. II would be impossible TO send troops
overland, and should they be sent by sea American
xarships would stop the transports He suggests
that an escort OF European warships TO the Colon
blan troops would prevent this Finally. the writer
says that n the United States should resort TO the
employment OF brutal force Colombia would be
Justified In resortine TO reprisals and sezlng INC
United states Minister at Bosota and other AmeH'
can residents OF Colombia
when we have to deal with dangerous lunatcs
or highwaymen.' says NJ. wYsH. u Is rendering
service to all to defend one self even by excessive
means
M wYss insists that arbitration by The Hague
tribunal Is the only proper solution OF the matter
st ISSUE"
If Colombia shall think that the first
clause of the thirty-fifth article OF the
treaty OF 1s4e has not been executed,
and has been violated by the United
States, Colombia has stipulated by the
fourth and fifth clauses Of that article
precisely the steps to be taken by her.
She cannot make reprisals, nor seize the
American Minister, nor declare war
against the United States, until after
she has done several other things. She
must, first OF all, formulate and describe
her Injuries or damages, verify them
by competent proofs, demand pre-
cisely stated Justice and satisfaction, '
and the demand must be by the United
States denied in violation OF the laws
and of international right"
In the first place, Colombia must by
competent proofs show that the United
States guaranteed her sovereignty and
prosperity in the province OK Pan
anna against internal seditIon and rebel
lion. If that was not guaranteed, then
Colombia must point out the acts done
by the United States against Colombia
"in violation OF the laws and OF inter-
national right"
When Colombia has thus presented
her case to the United States, and her
demands have been denied, and not till
then, can she resort to arbitration, or
reprisals, or war.
The treaty so declares.
Colombia shall affirm and the United
States shall deny that the latter engaged
to defend Colombian sovereignty over
Panama against insurrecton by Panama,
that question could be submitted to The
Hague tribunal, and also the reparation
to be made to Colombia If the United
States has been at fault.
A turning back Of the hands of the
clock SO far as to compel the success
fully revolted province Of Panama to
return to its obedience to the Govern
1nent at Bogota is quite as chmerical as
an attempt to drive Texas back into the
arms of Mexico. But Colombia can, II she
thinks it worth while, try to mulct the
United States in pccuniary damages.