New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08

peatedly exercised this control by intervening in
the course of domestic dissension and by pro-
tecting the territory from foreign invasion. In
1870 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 Colombia.
which has always been vigilant to avail itself OF
us privileges conferred by the treaty, expressed
It's expectation that in the event Of war between
Peru and Spain the United States would carry
INTO effect the guarantee OF neutrality. There
nave been few administrations of the State De-
partment in which this treaty has not, either by
the one side or the other. been used as basis
OF more or less important demands. 1t was said
by Mr.. Fish in 1871 that the Department Of
state had reason to believe that attack upon
Colombian sovereignty on the isthmus had on
several occasions been averted by warning from
this government. In 1886. when Colombia was
under the menace of hostilities from Italy in
the Cerruti case. Mr.. Bayard expressed the seri-
Gus concern that the United States could not
but feel that European power should resort 10
force against sister republic of this heTni-
sphere, as to the sovereign and uninterrupted
use of part of whose territory are guar
antors under the solemn faith Of treaty
GOOD. FAITH ALWAYS OBSERVED
The above recital of facts establishes beyond
question:
First-That the United States has for over
half century patiently and in good faith car
ried out its obligations under the treaty OF 1916
SecOnd-That when for the first time II became
possible for Colombia to do anything in requital
of the services thus repeatedly rendered TO II Tor
hfty-seven years by the United states the
colombian government perenptOrly ana OMEN
sively refused thus to do its part. even though
TO do so would have been TO its advantage ana
irnmeasura bly, to the advantage of the state OF
Panama. at that time under its Jurisdiction
Third-That throughout this period TeVoLu-
tions. riots and factional disturbances OF every
kind have occurred one after the other In almost
uninterrupted succession. some of them lasting
for months and even for years. while the central
government was unable to put them down or 10
make peace with the rebels.
Fourth-That these disturbances. instead OF
on nj
grow more numerous and more serious In the
immediate past.
Fifth-That the control of Colombia over the
Isthmus of Panama could not be maintained
without the armed intervention and ASSISTANCE
OF the United States.
In other words. the government or ColoIhD ia,
though wholly unable to maintain order on ik the
isthmus. has nevertheless declined 10 IalilS Z, a
treaty the conclusion of which opened the oIIS
chance to secure its own stability and 10 guar
antee permanent peace on and the construction
OF a canal across the isthmus
NO OTHER COURSE OPEN
Under such circumstances the government OF
the United States would have been guilty OF
folly and weakness amounting IN their sum 10
q crime against the nation had II acteu olheI-
wise than it did when the revolution OF Novenl-
Der 3 last took place in Panama. rms great
enterprise of building the nteroceanic cahal can
not be held UP to crafty the Whinis, OF out Oh
respect TO the governmental Impotence OF ~
the even more sinister and evil poitlca4 pecuI-
off vet against the wish of the actual dweIIers
on the isthmus, assert unreal supremacy
over the territory. The possession OF terrltoIy
fraught with such peculiar capacities as the
isthmus in question carries with II obligations 70
mankind. The course Of events has shown that
this canal cannot be built by private enterprise
or by any other nation than our own therefore
it must be built by the United states