New-York tribune., 1904-10-21
CANAL. NOR CoLOu.

The United States wants q canal aeross the
Isthmus of Panama. II does not want colony
there beyond the extent Of such an establish
nent as may be necessary for the construction.
maintenance, control and protection Of the
canal. Such were the desires of this govern
lnent and this country last winter, when the
canal treaty with Panama was made. Such
have been their desires and their intentions ever
since. in the making Of preparations 10 begin
work On sthe canal. Such IS the end which is
now and, we doubt not, will lsstingly be held
IN view.
That is The purport Of the Presidents letter
10 the Secretary Of War. and Il is-smong other
things-to make that fact clearly known 10 au
men that Mr.. TAFT IS about 10 make an Official
visit 10 Panama. There are other reasons for
bis going. Since The canal Is 10 be constructed
under the supervision Of the War Department.
il ts obviously fitting that the Secretary Of
War should make himself personally acauatnt-
Cd with the scene and circumstances Of that
enterprise. Nevertheless. this one especial rea-
son IS conspicuous. There IS. as the President
says. ground for believing that the people Of
Panama, or some Of them, are Unduly alarmed
81 the possible effect Of our operations 1t IS
not surprising thar such IS the case, seeing the
amount Of misinfoTnaLon and uendaciCy thar
has been put forth in this country for factionaI
purposes. But such alarm. however groundless.
should be net with consideration and should
be, as II Is about 10 be, dispelled in the most
authoritative manner
Il must be borne IN mind that an absolute es-
sential Of The canal IS thar il shall be "an Amer
lean canal under American control" There IS
nothing in the treaty reasonably interpreted,
calling for more than that. II is inconceivable
that any nation would undertake the construc-
tion and guarantee the security and neutrality
Of the canal on q ground Of less authority.
strip Of land five miles wide on each side Of
the canal is not TOO much for the purposes OF
constructing and maintaining the canal, and it
is obvious that such strip must be under our
absolute control. The terminals Of free canal
must, Of course be free ports; but that fact
viii not at au interfere with the Panaman Gus
toms service on all goods imported for consump-
ton in Panama
There is, in brief no menace whatever 10
either the political integrity or the fiscal pros
perity Of the isrhmisn republic On the con
rary, there IS safeguard for both. The Presi-
dent truly observes that this country, IN the
construction Of the canal is about TO confer q
great favor upon Panama Nor viii that
favor be limited by the time of construction or
by the amount expended thereon, but il will
continue as long as the canal is highway for
the commerce Of the world. That fact must be
realized By the Panamans, and, having II IN
view. they viii not denlur ar such minor details
OF administration as may be necessary 10 secure
70 them so great q benefit II is as the su-
pegvisor ~ the canal and the foreFunner of lis
inesrmable benefits. and not as the founder OF
q colony or as g political aggressor, that the
Secretary OF War viii so 70 Panama, and IN
that capacity his mission should be productive
Of mnch mutual good