Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-11-10
Down on the Isthmus.

things with regard to the proposed
canal. The outlook was indeed a dark
one when the Colombian government
in it's folly rejected the treaty. in the
hope of extorting from this govern
ment larger sum of money than the
treaty had provided for and the ACTON
seemed to mean more long delays be-
fore any other step could be made.
Then all of sudden came the ploodiess
revolution by which the people OF Fan
ANA threw off the yoke of Colombia,
and set I'D an independent republic.
So completely in secret had their plans
been made that the government at b.
gaia. as well as the world in general.
was taken completely unawares.
OF course the main cause of the rev.
olution was the refusal Of Colombia to
ratifv the canal treaty. The building
of the canal means everything to Pan
ANA. It's whole future is at stake in
the success of this enterprise, but back
of this, and also counted among the
causes of the overturn are many griev-
ances of long standing which the peo-
pie of the Isthmus have against the
Bogota government. A manifesto is
sued by the new government at Pana-
ma is remarkably moderate and digni-
fed in tone, compared with those which
have accompanied most Latin Ameri-
can revolutions, and it presents an
impressive argument why Panama
should be free and independent, wholly
apart from the disappointment caused
by the rejection of the treaty.
SO complete was the revolution that
at present Colombia is without YES
tige of authority on the Isthmus. The
revolutionists are in complete control.
and if popular feeling is as strongly be-
hind the leaders as the correspondents
eminent seems assured. There is lit
tie prospect that Colombia, which has
no real war strength and no money in
it's treasury can overthrow the new re-
public and bring it again into subjec-
ton. Our government has given
strength to the revolutionists by recog-
nizing them, at least as far as business
purposes are concerned. Political rec
ognition is yet to come, but if the
new government shows that it can
stand on it's feet, that will unquestion-
ably soon follow. 1t is to be noted that
the powers of Europe respect the attl-
tude taken by the United States in this
crisis, and are not questioning either
no reason why they should.
Our treaty compels us to see that
the railroad traffic across the isthmus
is not interrupted. The United States
is the only government with authority
to deal with that question, and if we
had neither warships nor troops there
no other powers would have the right
to step in and interfere. Our course
means protection to all foreign inter-
ests on the isthmus and will benefit
all of them. With our warships in the
harbors of Colon and Panama there is
protection for life and property in both
cities and the certainty of uninter-
rupted communication across the 18TH
mus. But Notwithstanding that there
is no occasion for suspicion or uneasi-
ness it will be very strange if our gov
,ernment is not criticised both abroad
and by certain elements in this country.
1t will be said that we have melted the
revolution for purposes of our own, and
the old charges will be made that were
made in the case of Hawaii and OF
Cuba. The enemies of the admins
tration will again shout land piracy"
and "imperialism' at the top of their
shril voices. but they will not deter
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay
from doing their full duty promptly
and fearlessly.
If the new republic of Panama
proves a success, negotiation with it
for the canal treaty will be made in
due time, but there will be no unseemly
haste in the matter. If Colombia at
tempts to coerce Panama, she will be
allowed every opportunity to do SO ex-
cept ttat the railroad traffic across the
| isthmus will be maintained uninter-
rupted by our government, and not CIV
ell over to her use for transportation
of troops. Coombia's only hope in
crushing the republic of Panama will
be in the aid which might be given
by the trans-continental rail-
| way companies which have fought
so long and so successfully against the
building of the canal. and it is very
doubtful if they are willing to furnish
the money and build a navy and sup
port the armies which would be neces-
| sarv to invade Panama and overthrow