The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-04

anna mad broken out. Panama became
an independent state, and the control of
the territory necessary for building the
canal then became obtainable. The con-
dition under which alone we could have
gone to Nicaragua thereby became i'm
possible of fulillment If the pending
treaty with Panama should not be rati-
fed by the senate this would not alter
the fact that we could not go to Mica
fagua- The congress has decided the
route, and there is no alternative under
existing legislation.
When in August il began to appear
probable that the Colombian legisla-
ture would not ratify the treaty it be-
came incumbent upon me to consider
well what the situation was and to be
ready to advise the congress as to what
were the various alternatives of action
open to us. There were several posi-
bilities. One was that Colombia would
at the last moment see the unwisdom
of her position. That there might be
nothing omitted. Secretary Hay,
through the minister at Bogota, repeat
eddy warned Colombia that grave con-
sequences might follow from her re-
lection of the treaty. Although it was
a constantly diminishing chance, yet
the possibility of ratification did not
wholly pass away until the close of the
session of the Colombian congress.
A Second Alternative.
a second alternative was that by the
October, without the ratification of the
treaty by Colombia and without any
steps taken by Panama, the American
congress on assembling early in No
vember would be confronted with a sit
uatiOn in which there had been a fall
ure to come to terms as to building the
canal along the Panama route, and yet
there had not been a lapse of a reason
able time-using the word reasonable
in any proper sense-such as would JUS
f,.ss- >
Nicaragua route. This situation SEEM
ed on the whole the most likely. and as
a matter of fact I had made the origi-
nal draft of my message to the con-
gress with view to its existence.
1t was the opinion of eminent inter
national jurists that in view of the
fact that the great design of our guar
antee under the treaty of 1876 was to
dedicate the isthmuS to the purposes
of interoceanic transit, and above all to
secure the construction of an inter-
oceanic canal, Colombia could not I'M
der existing conditions refuse to enter
into a proper arrangement with the
United States to that end, without vio-
lating the spirit and substantially re-
pudiating the obligations of a treaty
the full benefits of which she had en-
joyed for over so years. My intention
was to consult the congress as to
whether under such circumstances it
would not be proper to announce that
the canal was TO De Qu8 1OIIHWlLls
that we would give the terms that we
had offered and no others; and that If
such terms were not agreed to we
would enter into an arrangement with
Panam direct, or take what other
steps were needful in order to begin
the enterprise.
A third possibility was that the peo-
pie of the isthmus, who had formerly
constituted an independent state, and
who until recently were united to Col
ombia only by a loose tie of federal
relationship might take the protection
of their own vital interests into their
own hands reassert their former rights,
declare their independence upon just
grounds, and establish a government
competent and willing to do its share
in this great work for civilization. This
third possibility is what actually Oc-
CURED. Everyone knew that it was a
possibility, but it was not until
towards the end of October that 1t ap-
peared to be an imminent probability
Although the administration, of course
had special means of knowledge, nc
such means were necessary in order &c
appreciate the possibility, and toward
the end the likelihood, of such a revo-
lutiOnary outbreak and of its success
It was a matter of common notoflely
Quotations from the daily papers coulo
be indefinitely multiplied to show this
state of affairs; a very few will sut-
fee. From Costa Rica on August 81 q
special was sent to the Washington
Post. running as follows;
San Jose, Costa Rica, Aug. 81
Travellers from Panama report the 18th
mus alive with fires of a new revolution
It is inspired, it IS believed, by men VINO
In Panama and Colon, have systematlcal-
" engendered the prO-Amerlcan feeling
to secure the building of the 1sthmlan
canal by the United States.
The Indians have risen and the late
followers of Gen. Benjamin Herrera arc
mastering in the mountain villages, pre-
paratOry to joining in an organized reVOI.
caused by the rejection OF the canal
treaty.
by the Colombian government at the
close of the last revolutions have reap
peared from some mysterious source and
thousands of rifles that look suspicio1siy
like the Mausers the United States cap
tured in Cuba are issuing to the gather
iner forces from central points of dis
tribution. With the arms goes arnTnlnl L
ton fresh from factories, showing the
movement is not spasmodic, but is care
fully planned
The government forces in Panama and
Colon, numbering less than 500 men, arc
to the revolutionary spirit. They have
been i'll paid since the revolution closed
and their only hope of prompt payment
General Huertes. commander of the
forces who is ostensibly loyal to The
Bogota government, is said to be secret
" friendly to the proposed revolution. Al
least. all his personal friends are open
in denunciation of the Bogota govern
ment and the failure OF the Colombian
congress to ratify the canal treaty.
The consensus Of opinion gathered from 1,5I,
late arrivals from the isthmus IS thai
the revolution is coming, and that il
will succeed.
A special dispatch to the Washing
ton Post, under date of New York, Sep
TENDER 1, runs as follows:
B. G. Duque. editor and proprietor OF
the Panama Star and Herald a resident
Of the isthmus during the past q years
who arrived today in New York. declared
that if the canal treaty fell through {
revolution would be likely to follow.
There is a very strong feeling in Pan
anna" said Mr.. Duque, that Colombia
in negotiating the sale of the canal con
cession in Panama. is looking for profits
that might just as well go to Panama
/ herself.
s'The Colombian government. only th'
other day, suppressed newspaper thai
dared to speak of Independence for Pan,
anna A while ago there was q secret
plan afoot to cut loose from Colombo