The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-25
The Panama Treaty.

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Republic OF Panama, under which the
iisthman canal Is to DO constructed, vas
forcgore conclusion. There was no no
disagreement at any time among senators
as to tho expedlency Of building this
canal. Some senators, however, felt that
the United States government had been
unjust In Its treatment Of Colombia;
had given It's tacit support to the revo-
Elution in Panama: had prevented Co
lombia from putting down the revolution;
had thrown the protection Of the United
States around this new-fledged repub-
5lic-n short, that our government had
done a great wrong to sister reptlb-
lie. and should not profit by its own
smtscorduct This was the view taken by
the senator's from Virginia and some
others, and therefore they refused to vote
for the ratification Of tho treaty. Nor
do we blame them. Other senators. who
agreed that our government had done
wrong. nevertheless took the ground that
Panama had seeded of Its own volltion,
and that, too, uEder great provocatton;
that the revolution had been accom-
plished: that the new republic OF Pan
ANA had been set up. and that IT was
perfectly competent TO recognize It and
to make treaty With 1t.
They did not see how what had been
done could be undone. They said that
the Dem ocratic party was in no way re-
sponsible for the secession; that the
President of the United States had pro-
tested that he had In no way tnsttgated
the revolution or encouraged It,, and ne
was to be taken at his word. In short,
they argued that they found a. situation
for which they were I'm 70 way responsi-
BILE, and that there was nothing for them
to do but to deal with the situation in a
practical way.
However this may be. :ne tact is that
| the treaty has been ratified. and that
question has been settled. It Is a liberal
treaty, and while we think the United
States government agreed to pay more
than it should pay IT. consideration Of the
| great benefit which 1t Is to confer upon
Panama, 1t must be admitted that Fan
ANA, on its part, has been liberal in its
concessions.
Under the treaty tho United States
I guarantees and pledges itself to main
tair the independence OF the Republic
| OF Panama. 1t also agrees to pay to thai
republic tho sum Of $10,0oo,0OO In gold
and an annual payment OF s25ooo0 durlnt
tho life OF the treaty, these annuities t
begin nine years after date, Our gov
/ ernment agrses to construct the cara
at its own expense, and to look after tn
sanitation of tho cities OF Colon ant
Panama. We agree also Of course, t
buy out the rights Of the old Panama
Canal Company.
In consideration. OF this. the Republi
OF Panama grants to the United States
III perpetuity the use. occupation an
control OF the zone OF land and Ian
under water for the construction, mair
tenance, operation. sanitation and pro
lection OF said canal, OF the width @
ten miles. extending to The distance 6
five miles on each side Of tho certe
limo OF the route OF the canal to be col
structed: the said zone beginning In tt
a
mean loW-water mark. and extendin
to and across the Isthmus OF Panama Int
tho Pacific ocean. to q distance of thrt
Marie miles from mean low-water mar
With The proviso that the cities OF PA
anna and Colon and the harbors adjacel
TO said cities. which are Included with
the boundaries OF the zone above d
scrIbed, shall not be included With
this grant.
Panama also comedies to US sever
: small Islands IN the bay Of Panama ar
Q tina right to draw water from streams
: supply the canal,
. While this cities OF Panama and colt
= are reserved to the Panama Republi
9 the United states government ~ given a
\ solqte control oyer the sanitation Of tho
{ cities,
i Tho carai when constructed. and Il
q entrance therato, shall be neutral
d perpetuity.
" There are many details. but the ma
q provisions are included In the abo
/ synopsis. The necessary appropriate
i. lhas already been made, and there
& nov - Sss19R Hhy tks HoEk e{ 60