The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE TO 58TH C0NGRES

tfy the act by the pretension that these
avenues OF trade and travel belong to
them aud that they choose 20 shut them
or. what Is almost equivalent, 90 encum-
bcr them with such unjust relations as
would prevent their general use
Seven years later In 1865. Mr.. Seward
I'm different communicable took the fol-
lowing position.
'srhe United States have taken and will
take 10 interest I'm any question OF intern-
al revolution in the state OF Panama, or
any state OF the United states OF Colom-
bia but will maintain a perfect neutral
ity in connection with such domestic al
terca lions. The United states will. never
theless hold themselves ready 20 protect
the transit trade across the isthmus
against invasion OF either domestic or
foreign disturpers OF the peace OF the
state of Panama Neither the text
nor the spirit Of the stipulation In that
article by which the United States en-
cages 10 preserve the neutrality of the
| Isthmus OF Panama, imposes an obligation
| ON this government to comply WIFI me
| requisition Tof the president OF the United
states OF Colombia for a force 10 protect
the IsthmuS OF Panama from a body OF
insurgents OF that countryl The pur-
pose OF the stipulation was TO guarantee
| the isthmus against seizure or invasion
by a foreign power only
Attorney General Speed. under date OF
| Nov !, 1865 advised Secretary Seward as
| follows:
From this treaty It can not be sup
| posed that New Granada invited the
| United states TO become party 10 the IN
testne troubles of that government. nor
did the United States become bound 90
take sides I'm the domestic broils OF New
Granada The United States did g'Iaran-
! tee New Granada fl the sovereignty and
| property over the territory. This was
as against other and foreign govern
nents."
For four hundred years ever since
| shortly after tho discovery OF this hemis-
phere. the canal across the isthmus mas
been planned. For two score years II
has been worked at. When made II is Ia
last for the ages II IS 10 alter tho
| geography of n continent and the trade
| routes OF the world. VIC have shown by
every treaty we have negotiated or at
| tempted 10 negotiate with the peoples IL
control Of the isthmus and with foreign
! nations I'm reference thereto our consist
| ent faith I'm observing our obligations
ON ;he ono hand to the peoples of the 18th
| mus. and on the other hand 20 the clvi
lizcd world whose commercial rights We
are safeguarding and guaranteeing 10y
our action We have done our duty tC
| others I'm letter and I'm spirit and w
have shown the utmost forbearance II
| exacting our own rights.
Last spring. under the act above re-
ferred TO. treaty concluded between th'
representatives of the Republic OF Co
| lombia and OF our government was IN Il
fed by the senate. This treaty was en-
tered into at the urgent solicitation o.
! the people OF Colombia and after body
of experts appointed by our government
especially TO go Into tho matter OF th'
routes across tho isthmus had pronounced
unanimously I'm favor OF the Panama
route In drawing up this treaty cvcr'
concession WAS made to tho people an'
10 tho government OF Colombia. We wer
moro than lust i'm dealing with them
our generosity was shch "a TO max
| it a serious question whether we ha'
not gone too far i'm their interest at IN
! expense Of our own; for IN our scrupuiou
desire TO pay all possible heed not mere
Is 10 the real but even TO the fancic'
rights OF our weaker neighbor. who al
ready owed so much TO our protectio
and forbearance. we yielded In all posSi
blc WAYS to her desires I'm drawing N
the treaty Nevertheless the govern
ment %. Colombia not merely repudiate
the treaty, but repudiated II In such
manner as 10 make 1t evident by the tim
the Colombian congress adjourned tina
not the scantiest hope remained OF eve
, getting satisfactory treaty from then
: The government OF Colombia made IN
, treaty. and yet when the Colombian con
, gress was called TO ratify II the Not
against ratification was unanimous
: does not appear that the governmer
, made any real effort TO secure rati1ca
? ton
PANAMA REVOLUTION
Immediately after the adjournment {
the congress a revolution broke out J
Panama. The people of Panama ha
long been discontented with the rcput
lie OF Colombia. and they had been ker
: Quiet only by the prospect OF the con
, clusion OF the treaty, which was 10 thei
I n matter of vital concern. When II be
came evident that tho treaty was hope
? lessly lost, the people OF Panama ros
? literally as one man. Not shot wa
: fired by q single man on the isthmu
Z I'm the interest of the Colombian govern
ment Not life was. lost I'm the accom-
. plishment OF the revolution. The Colon
Y bian troops stationed on the isthmus VIII
@ had long been unpaid. made commo
D cause with the people OF Panama. an
r with astonishing unanimity the new r.
e public was started. The duty Of III
{ United States in tho premises WAS clea
Y In strict accordance with the principle
4 laid down by Secretaries Cass and Sew
c ard in tho official documents above quo
Y cd the United States government gay
s notice that Il would permit the hndiu
\. Of no oxpeditionary force the arrival
q which would mean chaos and destructio
along tho line OF tho railroad and tho pr,
!, | posed canal. and an interruption
> transit as an inevitable consequence. TT
/. dc facto government of Panama wS
:, recognized In tho following telegram
Z MIR. Ehrman
:, The people of Panama have. by ~
! psreutly unanimous movement. dissolve
their political connection With the r.
!. public Of Colombia and resumed heir n
dependence. When YOU arc satisfied th;
n do facto government republican
. .orm and without substantial opposite
:. from It's own people. has been cstahlisht
= I'm tho state of Panama. YOU will cnt
: into relations with II as tho responsib
:. government ~ the territory and look
> II for all due action toSVrotect the pc
! sons and property Of citizens of II
y United states and TO keep open the istl
- mian transit. iu accordance with tho obi
IA tions OF existing treaties governing NJ
. relations Of tho United states 10 that &c