The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1903-12-05
The PANAMA AFFAIR.
Anerican Rights and Interests Jus-
tify the Chief Executive's
Action.

When the people of Panama revoited
against the venal and injurious control
of Colombia It was Inevitable that the
United States should recognize the au-
thoSity they might set up for them
selves. There has not yet been distinct
and categorical recognition OF an In
dependent republic OF Panama There
has been only the anticipation of do
facto government which would be en-
titled to such treatment when II should
be created. and meanwhile an acknowi-
edgment that the provisional authorities
of the revolutionists are the only au-
thorities on the ground. says the Phila-
delphia Press.
What less could our government dot
There Is no representative or emblem Of
Colombian authority left In Panama.
The only authority IL that Of the revo-
lutionary force. II Is In possession. Il
has already created provisional gov
eminent. What else can be dealt WITH
It will promptly establish regular gov
eminent. What else can be recognized?
The full recognition Ii sure to como
when an undisputed de facto govern
ment shall be In full control: and the
measure Of recognition which the presi-
dent has extended was inevitable AZ
soon as any matters came up which re-
Quired dealing with the authorities In
possession. The only question 10 wheth-
er the president has been undufy pre-
cipitate. We do not see that he has
been. He has done only what would
have been unavoidable soon at the
latest. and his prompt and vigorous ac-
tion has doubtless conduced to speedy
and peaceful solution.
II Is said that our government has in
| tefposed In conflict between friendly
republic and one Of Its own states, and
that the interference is as unjustifable
as would have been the threatened Eu-
ropean Intervention In our civil war
against which we SO vigorously protest.
ed. But there is no parallelism between
the two cases. Our relation to Colombia
and the isthmian territory Is wholly ex-
ceptional. We are bound by treaty to
see that the traffic OF the world across
the Isthmus of Panama shall be free
and open. For more than half century
we have discharged that duty. BY vir-
tue Of It we have repeatedly put our
hand on the isthmus. The president is
entirely right In saying that we have
not only a treaty obligation. but an OBJ
legation to civilization In the matter.
We are trustee OF the world of isthmian
transit. That responsibility compels US
to interpose In the present issue be-
tween Colombia and Panama. II we did
not there would be struggle which
would obstruct and imperil the transit.
and to allow this would be to renounce
our obligation as protector.
The United States IL the primate Of
this continent and in the common inter-
est It exercises the right of primacy.
1t has protected American nations from
European aggression. 1t has thrown the
panoply of the Monroe doctrine around
the continent. There has been grow
Ing feeling In Thoughtful minds that the
nature OF our leadership required larg-
er degree Of authority and influence over
the relations of the countries which en-
Joy our protection. However this may
ultimately work out. II is certain that
we must be entirely secure in the terri
tory which shall be trayerssd by the
canal into which the United States will
put many millions Of dollars. The presi-
dent is rightly taking thought and caro-
on this point. In spite of the venality
and stupidity Of the conspirators at Bo-
gotta, the way is opening up for the con-
struction Of the Panama canal. and the
president Is acting for the American
people in making the most OF the OPP
portunity.