Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-20
DeIayinq the Canal Treaty.

treaty in the senate of the United
States of Columbia did not come as a
surprise to this country. 1t was uh-
questionably a disappointment. now
ever, for in spite of the long delay
over the matter by the Columbian
statesmen there had been at least d
hone that there would, in the end De
sensible enough to ratify the treaty.
Various causes have contributed TO It's
defeat, and many people profess 10 see
az the chief of these the activity OF
the transcontinental railway lobby.
We do not profess to question the ac-
curacy Of their vision, but whetnef
the money which these gentlemen have
spent at Bogata is responsible Tor the
defeat of the treaty, or whether Co
lumbia is simply holding up this gov
eminent for more money. the fact re-
mains. However we can all agree that
the action of the Columbian senate is
not 10 be accepted as final.
In most countries the defeat of a
treaty by the legislative body would
settle the matter but Columbia is not
like most countries. Territorially, it IS
o large republic-fully one-siXth as
large as the United States, but the
states of which it is composed lack
cohesion. Revolution is always in the
air, and the action of it's Congress and
public sentiment are often apt to be
very different matters. We may be
very sure that neither the Columbian
Congress, nor the Columbian people
are really opposed to the ultimate con-
struction and control of the Panama
canal by this government. Such a
canal really means more to their
country than it does to any other but
lions out of this country by holding up
a treaty, they look upon it as policy to
do so. 1t is a pity that there should
be any more delay, but there is really
nothing which our government can
now do but to wait patiently and let
things simmer in Columbia.
All authorities are we'll agreed that
the Panama route is the more desirable
one; ard when the canal is built, as it
surely will be- it will be there rather
than at Nicaragua. This last route
once enjoyed popular favor, but it is
now looked upon as last resort and
will not be considered until every
legitimate resource in regard to the
Panama route has been exhausted and
shown to be hopeless.
Ever since Balboa first looked out on
the waters of the Pacific almost four
centuries ago the dream Of q water
way to connect the two great oceans
has agitated the mind of man. That
dream is fast approaching its realiza-
ton. The movement for this inter
oceanic waterway to which the adj
ministrations of Mckinley and Roose-
welt have given such impetus is not tc
| be stopped by the peanut politics
| or the aVarice of Central American
| politicians. No railroad lobby car
stop it, and neither can pessimistic
wailings of little Americans at home
| Nothing in the future is more certain
than that such a canal will be built
a stupendous monument to American
enterprise and energy, and a blessing
through all the ages to come, to this
and every other land. And not only
will the canal be American built bu
it will be American in ownership anC
control as much as is the harbor o.
| New York, or that of San Francisco
The world has waited long for such 8
canal and the action of Columbia, thi:
week, simply means, that we mus
| wait little longer.