The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-11-10
Tuesday, November 10, 1908.
WHY ROOSEVELT WAITED.

w ~ .e .os 20.
Rapidly transpiring events at Colon
during the latter days of last week
explain the delay of President Roose-
welt in availing himself of the alterna-
tive provided for in the isthmian canal
make public his purpose in not enter
ing into negotiations with the govern
ment of Nicaragua and was compelled
to remain silent under the severe crit
icisms of Senator Morgan and other
friends of the Nicaraguan route. Now
the whole matter is out. The presi-
dent had been advised that an out
break was coming in Panama and
he awaited the results. Confidential
agents hal informed him that events
would soon some to pass on the 18TH
mus that we're likely to place a differ
ent face on the canal negotiations,
and he simply waited, knowing that
if the predictions made should prove
to be wrong he woul still have time to
take up the matter of a canal route
with the other republic.
The administration did not, as has
been intimated and even openly de-
clared in some directions, encourage
the revolutionists in any way. 1t re-
manned neutral and as long as it
could recognize the de facto govern
ment, meanwhile advising and urging
both sides to the quarrel to effect a
peaceful settlement of their difficult
ties and avoid unnecessary bloodshed.
In fulfllment of it's treaty obligations,
the government took the necessary
steps to have a force on hand suffi-
GENTLY large to keep transit across
the isthmus open, and also at the same
time protect American interests in
the disturbed zone. That it trans
crossed none of the rights of the
Colombian government or took ad-
vantage of it's position to increase it's
embarrassment is shown by the COM
ments and attitude of the foreign pow
ers. All express themselves as salts
fed and recognize the correctness OF
our attitude maintained during the
days that the revolution was in pro-
press. Even the limitations that this
government brought about the revolt
did not cause Germany or France,
usually quick to speak up when they
consider that American aggressive
ness has gone too far, to become ex-
cited. On the contrary, German feel
ing was clearly expressed in. the
Frankfurter Zeitung, which said:
However that may be, it is not strik-
ing, nor does it give occasion for spe-
state will not permit itself to be
thwarted in it's civilizing work through
the stubobrnness of a land three
iourths barbarous."
The revolution now so happily and
satisfactorily ended was different
from those usual in that part of the
WO1IO. IL was uOC Cu0 ICVOlL VI d
man ambitious to hold Office and be.
come the dictator of a state, but an
uprising of a state that felt it had a
grievance. When the Colombian con
gress adjourned without having taken
any action on the canal treaty or in
any way indicating it's future inten
lions in that respect, the people o.
Panama, who long had felt aggrievee
at the central government for. tn,
manner in which they were treated
decided to cut loose from Colombia
and set up a state of their own. The.
had been taxed without stint for tn
benefit of Bogota with no return goo'
to themselves and when the govern
ment refused to enter into the cana
treaty, q the Panamans re
rlxded as of especial good to thei
&5ntfon Of the so-calIed republic, the,
rS6ognlxed the arrival OF the psyche
logical moment." and awaited then
selves Of it: The principal losers. Q