New-York tribune., 1904-10-07
PRESIDENT AND PANAMA.
Beneficial Effect of His Wise,
Prompt and StatesmanIke Course.
TO the Editor az The 7,rih,,,a

SO4S'S anu oy their stump speakers. it is well to
know the facts as ascertained here in Panama
and in Colombia. where the full environment OF
what took place in November 1903. is understood
and appreciated.
never did later developments better prove the
prudence and Righteousness Of prompt action in a
crISS on the part OF a nations executive than
nave events on the isthmus demonstrated the
wisdom Of President Roosevelt's policy In the
matter OF the Panama revolution
tneSe were the exact words used by one OF the
aolest Foreign representatives stationed IN Panama
a d olhher given by the American Minister in the
American Legation. where men OF various na-
LIonaI Ties and political opinions were present
4nS foreign official. who has been located az MANY
PO9'9 ~ South America and had lived in Panama
several years before the revolution was nresent
"neh II TOOK place. He has watched the progress
OF events since then with IA impartial eve and
!as no political connections in the United States
t1e went on to say in the presence Of men who
can eorroborate this quotation:
/ cannot possibly understand vbv The Der,o
craUc party in America. judging from the news
papers l see, dares make an issue OF President
I@ooseEe4t's attitude toward Panama and Colombia
at the time Of the revolution. II the facts were
AU'ly known IN the United States, these arguments
would become boomerang that would surely elect
aim. We unprejudiced judges. who are on the
ground and have concern in American politics
are convinced that the American President pursued
the only wise and prudent course open to him"
Ihese words. which were spoken in the presence OF
sympathies. Of other foreign representatives. and
Of prominent Americans on the isthmus reflect the
real sentiment not only Of Panama. but of all the
other South American countries excepting possibly.
Colombia. Despite Democratic contentious to the
contrary, all the great and influential newspapers
OF Argentina. Chilli and Brazil which first criticised
the United States and President Roosevelt during
the revolution, are now. when they understand the
facts openly admitting that the President displayed
profound craftsmanship at that critical moment
ha ErTf 70 Nha -.P-r rFr
newspapers the ''PTensa" and 'Nacion" in
BuenOs AyreS; the ''GIercLrto in Santiago and the
journal de Comercio in Rio Janeiro. which shape
the public opinion Of South America to note that
trey now concede the wisdom OF the steps taken by
the American President
In Panama to-day there IS absolute unanirnity OF
opinion. not only in pro-American but even in
called anti-Arnerlcan circles. that. II President
Roosevelt had not acted Just he did there would
have been political chaos bloody civil strife great
destruction OF property entire interruption Of tran
sit across the Isthmus-which the United States
guaranteed 10 the world-and probable be-
tween Colombia and the United States. which. from
its guerilla possibilities and the character OF the
country. would have lasted many years. Even
those IN Panama who at the moment are try
ing 70 make political capital out Of the practical.
but necessary. efforts OF the commission 70 organ
izs a good government stand by the President IN
the policy ne pursued At the time OF the revolution
One OF the principal Liberal leaders. who is op-
said recently that the New-York Constitutional
Club OF Democratic Lawyers would make great
mistake II it used the Presidents Panama policy
a constitutional argument against his cleo
ton II that club would investigate Just what went
on not only in Panama. but in Bosota, they would
soon learn that they had hold OF the hot end OF
the poker and had better drop IT,
Trustworthy reports that are now reaching here
from Cartagena, Barranquina. Buenaventura and
Bogota show a most remarkable change OF pubic
IN
and the CuIted States In general Instead OF bIam-
Ing the President for the loss OF Panama and the
canal. the Colombian people and papers are hlaTn-
Ing their political leaders who refused TO ratfy the
Hay-Herraa treaty in Congress at Bogota- openly
asserting that these leaders deliberately held up
the Unitee States IN the hope OF getting more
money. one Colombian orator OF the new regime.
who has large following. recently used the fol-
lowing words as published:
We cannot blame the American President and
Government They did what any President and
Government would have done under similar cir
cUmstances: but let US cry out vehemently. nay
more. protest vigorously sgainsL the real traitors
lie and sovereignty. were really lnCarna tlOnal
srsands and wao in trying ing to rob the U9ited
possession and oartered ColOmbias fair birthright
Up, citizens OF This great land, and nave tnsIr
s Sva Io1 tFat General Rafag Reves the
new, Prasidsnf 81 colombia warned his soyerr-
before the Panama revolution that what did
fed He could never have been elected President
and taken his seat unless there had been radical
change in sentiment IN Colomoia toward President
Roosevelt Reyes has always been known. and Is
man Of the Roosevelt type He never could have
officially received the American Secretary OF Lega-
unless popaiar feeling had begun TO turn. In
shoT colombia Is now now rS Sne 5h1o t besideIs
that the fault was its and not hs-desPite Demo |
cratic contentious that Roosevelt has ahenated |
South American sympathy!
The observations and reports OF visitors who |
have been through ali portions OF the lsthmus, as
wei! as the neighoorlnK coast OF CoioInnla and |
velS toward Panama and colombia has had a
and South American countries EVerywhere It is !
B9w te {Ha @ ba TeT eTa 1 r 9 58rt ~ 3Fe f
two Americas signs Of new material development
With Indications Of new ~ moral ana political spirit
annating the Lat people at large. II is theTefore
heir peoples are unanimous N their P5aise OF
nuence or elections Competent observers state J
that borh Panama and Colombia are on the eve |
f,oibi % SI bv he brinFiTp f6eet5er os her two
this vast undertaking. wih profit even more than |
hts viii come to Peru Chill Bolivia and Mexico.
Phey know II and hope fo5 the Sg rssieSton Of
from the tone Of their newspapers
newspapers to paint imaginary pictures Of what. IN
their biassed opinion, ought to have been done in /
happened il so and So had been the policy the |
RennbIiCan sueakers and newspapers per contra |
can describe actual conditions state real facts and
point out bona hde wholesome progress which has !,
resulted from what has been and Is being done by |
work ON the great isthmian waterway begun and /
petent chief engineer. John Findlay Wallace in the |
the canal zone started and being Justly adninisrat-
by that able solder-statesnlan, General George ,
scheme for joining the two oceans in which the /
American people are so deeply interested, being ]
go otsen commission eonsistng Of Rear hdmiraI
w.