The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1904-01-20

trusts that that government, which has
so many times surprised the world by
its wisdom, will on this occasion as.
tonish it by its example,
Gen. Reyes cities the 35th article of
the treaty Of 1876, providing that when
either country feels itself offended it
shall lay before the other a statement
of such injury or damages. and con-
cludes by proposing that the Colon
bian controversy be laid before The
Hague.
Secretary Hay answered this note
Jan. 5. He says the government has
carefully considered the grave com
plants made and assures General
Reyt~~S our most friendly sentiments
for Colombia. The questions submit
ted, he says, can be considered only
in the light of accomplished facts, of
which one is that the republic of Pan
ANA has become a member of the fam
ily of nations.
THE department has read with sur
prise" Mr.. Hay comments, your rep
etition of gross imputations upon the
ment which are said to have appeared
in reputable American newspapers"
Secretary Hay says the United
States has faithfully borne during the
long period since the treaty of 1876
was completed the full burden of its
responsibilities. Meanwhile" he con-
tinues, "the great design of the treaty
of 1916 remained unfulfilled. and in the
end it became apparent, as has here
tofore been shown. that it could be
fulfilled only by the construction Of
canal by the government of the United
States.
A New Situation Created.
''By the declaration of independence
of the republic of Panama new sit
uation was created On the one hand
stood the government of Colombia in
voking in the name of the treaty of
1876 the aid of this government in its
efforts to suppress the revolution. On
the other hand stood Panama that had
come into being in order that the great
design of that treaty might not be
forever frustrated but might be ful.
filled The isthmus was threatened
with desolation by another civil war.
Nor were the rights and interests
of the United States alone at stake
The interests of the whole civilized
world were involved. The republic of
Panama stood for these interests; the
Colombian government opposed them.
Compelled to choose between these
two alternatives, the government Of
the United States, in nowise RESPONSE
did not hesitate. 1t recognized the in
dependence of the republic of Panama.
and upon its Judgment and action in
the emergency the powers of the world
have set the seal of their approval"
Under all the circumstances, says
the secretary, the department is un-
able to regard the complaints of Col
ombia against this government as hav'
ing any valid foundation.
The government of the United
States, he continues, in common with
the whole civilized world, shares in
sentiment of sorrow in the unfortunate
conditions which have long existed in
the republic of Colombia by reason of
the factional and fratricidal wars.
Entertaining these feelings" Sec.
retary Hay says, "the government of
the United States would gladly eXer.
else its good offices with the republic
of Panama with a view to bringing
about some arrangement on a fair and
equitable basis.
Reference to The Hague Declined.
For the acceptance of your proposal
of a resort to The Hague tribunal, this
government perceives no occasion. In
deed, the questions presented in your
statement of grievances are of a po-
litical nature, such as nations even of
the most advanced ideas as to inter
national arbitration have not proposed
to deal with by that process"