The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-17
Republic Of Panama, a BABY Among
the Nations, Is Both Enviea and Pihed

administration 1t is to this sentiment that
the certainty of immediate ratification OF the
treaty is due.
AFRAID OF TOO MUCH MONEY.
The Panamaians wish to be relieved or
responsibility for the integrity and security
of the republic they have created, and, al
though the treaty is more liberal in it's con-
cessions to the United States than was ever
anticipated it would be, the junta has not
for a moment considered such a thinS as
rejecting il or caviiing over its terms.
we would have been entirely willing TO
have signed our names to blank paper"
said a member of the junta last evening,
land to have left il to Secretary Hay TO
fill in over our signatures whatever he
wished TO write, stipulating only, upon our
part, that the covenant should contain a
pledge by the United States 10 build the
canal" That statement exactly expresses
the state Of affairs in Panama to-day, and
In the hope that subsequent negotiations
with the United States may result in that
government assuming even more RESPONSE
bility than IL has assumed under the canal
treaty the Panamaian revolutionistS are
proceeding with hating steps toward the
organization of the republic.
They are afraid of themselves, of the peo-
pie with whom they will have to deal, and
thoroughly suspicious of their own abilities.
Senior Espanoza, one of the members of the
junta, exposed the nature of this trepida-
ton yesterday when he said to your cOrre-
spondent that Panama has only one sub
stantial objection to the canal treaty.
1--WE are in a dilemma" said Senior Es-
panoza, because our revenues will De re-
duced about three-flfths by that clause Of
the treaty which makes Colon and Panama
free ports, thereby cutting off the import
taxes now collected, but our chief objection
to the treaty is that by it's terms we are
compelled to accept the S10,O0O,O canal pay
ment in cash. We must. in some way or
other, by subsequent negotiations relieve
ourselves of that requirement. 1t Is too
much money for US to undertake to handle;
IN ic aarfafn IN no uyocfod and miConaut III IN
is turned over in bulk to the government,
and in self-protection we must devise some
scheme whereby not more than S2,0OO,OOO
In cash comes into our hands for current
use. The remainder must be so invested
and so secured and held out of the country
that 1t will stand as a revenue-producing
asset for the government, no matter what
changes may take place or who may be
in charge"
THEIR UNUSUAL POSITION.
The spectacle of an independent nation
being afraid TO assume responsibility for
the handling of such a sum as s10.0O0.00 in
cash is doubtless unique in the history of
governments, but 1t affords an accurate key
to the situation on the isthmus of Panama.
Starting with that sum in its treasury,
having no funded debt. and but $4,000 Of
a floating debt, with the taxes at a NOM
inal figure, revenues sufficient for all re-
quirements guaranteed by the canal treaty.
and the peace and integrity of its domain
4 " nilC olobC pIOtCCtiOb, Il dA-
anna Is actually helpless. Her helplessness
is born of an absence of patriotism; knowl-
edge among the most intelligent classes OF
the corrupt and INSCRIPTIONS character of
the majority of the people of all Latin
J American countries, and of the thoroughly
mercenary motives for her own creation
into n republic. Envy and pity must, there
fore, play equal parts in any consideration
OF the state of affairs on the isthmus.
Envy for the opportunity which stretches
away before a people whose independence
= has been so easily won; pity for the moral,
f, physical and personal conditions which
combine to make IL almost impossible for
this people to avail themselves of their op-
pOrtunity.
Any other people would, under such cir
cumstances, bring themselves very quickly
TO the enjoyment Of an indeterminate sea.
SON OF prosperity and dignity. Cuba, with
fewer substantial advantages than Panaina
enjoys, Is doing that very thing, while here
In Panama there is nothing more inspiring
or admirable than an alleged republic in
which the leaders have no more patriotic
sentiment than a wish to avoid RESPONSE
bility and a hope that the United States
may do for them that which other people
from the beginning Of time nave gloried In
doing for themselves-secure and preserve
their political independence.
MERRILL A. LEAGUE.