La Junta tribune., 1903-12-12

they number 53 for the 81 years. II VIM
be noted that one OF them lasted for near
ly three years before II was queiled: an
other for nearly year, In short. tho
experience of over half a century has
shown Colombia to be utterly incapable
OF keeping order on the isthmus. Only
the active interference OF the United
States has enabled her to preserve -
much as a semblance of sovereignty HAD
II not been for the exercise by the United
States OF the police power in her interest
her connection with the isthmus would
have been sundered long ago. In 1855. In
1860, In 1873. in 1855. In 1901. and again in
1902. sailors and marines from United
States war ships were forced to land In
order to patrol the isthmus. to protect
life and property. and to see that the
transit across the isthmus was kept
open. In 1861. In 1852. in ISIS, and In 1900.
the Colombian Government asked that the
United States Government would land
troops to protect its interests and main
tain order on the istnmus. Perhaps the
most extraordinary request is that which
as follows:
Knowing that revolution has already
commenced in Panama ian eminent Co
lombianl says that II the Government Of
the United States will land troops to pre-
serve Colombian sovereignty. and tho
transit. IL requested by Colombian charge
d'anaires. this Government will declare
martial law. and. by virtue of vested con-
Ii restored. Will approve by decrea ths
ratification OF the canal treaty as signed:
or, " the Government of the United
States prefers. will call extra session of
the Congress-with new and friendly
members-next May to approve the
treaty. IAN eminent Coiombianl has the
perfect confidence of vice-presdent. he
says, and II II became necessary will 20
to the isthmus or send representative
there to adjust matters along above lines
to the satisfaction of the people there"
This dispatch is noteworthy from two
standpoints. Its ofrer of Immediately
guaranteeing the treaty to us is In sharp
contrast with the positive and contemp-
tuous refusal OF the Congress which has
Just closed its sessions to consider ia
vorably such treaty: 1t shows that the
Government which made the treaty really
had absolute control over the situaSon.
but did not choose to exercise this con-
troll The dispatch further calls on US
to restore order and secure Colombian
supremacy in the isthmus from which the
Colombian Government has just by It's
action decided to bar us by preventing
the construction of the canal.
importanc, OF Peace in isthmus.
The control In the interest of the COM
mcrce and traffic of the whole civilized
world. OF the means OF undisturbed tran
sit across the Isthmus OF Panama has
become OF transcendcnt importance to
the United States. we have repeatedly
exercised This control by Intervening In
the course OF domestic UtssenSiOn, anu
by protecting the territory from foreign
invasion. In Is53 Mr.. Everett assured
the Peruvian minister that We should
not hesitate to maintain the neutrality
of the isthmus in the case of war be-
tween Peru and Colombia. In 1864 Co
lombia which has always been vigiiant
to avail itself OF it's privileges conferred
by the treaty. expressed It's expectation
that In the event of war between Peru
and Spain the United States would carry
l,.tn ha ruo nf ne
There have been few administrations OF
the State Department In which this
treaty has not. either by the one side
or the other. been used as a basis Of
more or less important demands. 1t was
| said by Mr.. Fish In 1871 that the Depart
| ment of State had reason to believe that
an attack upon Colombian sovereignty
| on the isthmus had. on several occa-
sions. been ayerted Nv warning from this
Government In 1856. when Colombia was
under the menace OF hostiiitles from
| Italy In the Cerruti case. Mr.. Bayard ex-
pressed the serious concern that tho
United States could not but feel. that .
| European power should resort TO force
| against a sister republic Of this henis-
| phcre. AZ to the sovereign and uninter-
rupted use OF part OF whose territory
we are gnarantors under the solemn faith
| of n treaty.
Treaty With Republic Of Panama.
Every effort has been made by tho Gov
ernment OF the United States to persuade
Colombia to follow n course which WAS
essentially not only to our interests and
| to tho interests OF the world. but to the
| interests of Colombia Itself. These ef-
forts have failed: and Colombia, by her
| persistence In repulsins the advances that
have been made. has forced US. for the
| sake OF our own honor. and OF the inter
| est and well-being. not merely of our own
| people. but Of the people Of the Isthmus
| OF Panama and the people of tho civilized
| countries of the world. to take decisive
4! steps to bring to end a condition OF
| affairs which had become intolernbla-
The new Republic of Panama Immediate
| ly offered to negotiate n treaty with IN.
This treaty herewith submit BY " our
| interests are better safeguarded than in
the treaty with Colombia which was rail-
| fed by the Senate mt Its last session. IT 10
| better in its terms than the treaties Of
fered to US by the Republics OF Nicara-
qua and Costa Rica- AZ last the right
| to begin this great undertaking IL made
| avniiabis Panama has done her part
| All that remains Is for the American Con-
| gress to do its part md forthwith this
| Republic will enter upon the execution
| of a project colossal In its Size and OF
| well mig. incalcuiabie possibilities for thu
| good of this country and the nations Of
mankind.
Provisions Of Treaty.
BY the provisions Of the treaty the
| United States guarantees and viii main
| tain the Independence Of the Republic Of
Panama. There IL granted to the United
| States in perpetuity the use. occupation.
| and control OF n strip ten miles wide and
| extending three nautical miles into the
/ sea at either terminal with all lands 1y-
/ Ing outside of the zone necessary for the
| construction of the canal or for its suI
| iliary works. and with the islam In the
| Bay of Panama The cities Of Panana
i and Colon are not embraced in the canal
i zone. but the United States assumes
| their sanitation and. in case Of need. the
/ maintenance Of order therein. the United
i States enjoys within the granted limits
/ all the rights. power. and authority which
| IL would possess were u the sovereign %
| the territory to the exclusion Of tho ex-
| ercise Of sovereign rights by the Repub,ta.
/ All railway and canal property rights b.
i longing to Panama and needed for The
canal pass to the United States. inclo1-