The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-01
OLD YEAR JOINS NEW
IN PROBLEMS OF STATE
Secretary Hays Diplomatic
Work Is Unending.
GREAT PROGRESS IN EAST
Outlook Shows Many Complications
Existing in Neatly Every Part
of the World.

With the Panama Canal treaty nego-
tiations still incomplete, and the Chi
nese commercial treaty imperiled by
Russia's encroachments in the Far
East, il is impossible to discuss the
work of the State Department for 1906
without looking into the future and
considering the dangers which threaten
to undo all Secretary Hay has accom-
plished in the last twelve months.
Secretary Hays ambition is to have
an isthmian canal built and to preserve
China intact and open it to American
commerce while he is at the head of
the State Department. He is believed
TO have done more than any other man
to prevent European nations from COB
bling up China three years ago, and
within the last few months has had the
satisfaction OF seeing the commercial
treaty ratified which provides for the
opening of the two Manchurian ports,
Mukden and Antung, to the commerce
of the world.
Trouble in the East.
Russia now threatens to grab Man
churia, but in case she does the United
States viii insist that the concessions
made in the treaty with China shall be
respected by Russia. This Government
will demand that the open door policy
shall obtain at both Mukden and An
tung.
With Russia and Japan at war. and
/ war now seems inevitable the United
| States will have tasks in the Far East
Hay. The protection of American rights
| without violation of neutrality Will re-
quire diplomacy of the highest order.
Quiet at Panama.
/ The situation in Panama is less alarm
ing than in the Far East. Although Co
| lombia threatens to make war against
Panama. and thus against the United
States, which is pledged to protect the
canal zone and maintain free transit
) across the isthmus, war with Colom-
bia is not feared by this country.
Europe has shown its approval Of the
| action the United States has taken in
the isthmus, and a conflict between the
| United States and Colombia, If not as
sisted by other powers. would be so I'M
/ for this country. Then IL is believed
General Reyes will do all in his power
to avert clash, and the Administra-
4 ton hopes to bring the trouble with
| Panama TO a peaceful end.
The Alaskan Verdict.
In the favorable settlement OF the
Alaskan boundary dispute by the COM
mission which met In London the State
Department achieved a great victory,
a victory which overshadows all other
work actually accomplished.
The preservation of peace in the Latin
American republics is a great problem
with which the State Department must
| deal in 1904. Ii is feared that Venezuela
| will fail to pay the claims after The
Hague tribunal shall have decided the
order in which they are to be paid.
| Should this happen, European powers
| viii probably invade Venezuela and the
| United States will again be face TO face
with the problem Of protecting the Mon
roe doctrine without abridging the
| rights Of creditors who have a perfect
right to recover money due them.
The International Policeman.
Venezuela and Santo Domingo are the
two republics which are causing the
| United States the most trouble. Europe
looks to the United States TO preserve
peace in these republics and protect for
eign interests. With revolutions COM
ing frequently it has been suggested by
a prominent State Department official
that the United States assume the task
of policing all Latin-American republics
which give trouble, and some step to-
ward this end may be taken in 1904
Never has the State Department en-
tered upon a new year when so many
problems of international Importance
are 10 be dealt with. With Germany ne
gotiating for the Danish West Indies,
with Canada threatening tariff changes
designed to cut off goods from the
| United States, with Russia threatening
10 abridge American commercial rights
in the Far East, and with Colombia
showing its teeth on the south, a man
less trained than Secretary Hay in
handling the affairs OF nations would
not welcome the opening OF a new year.