Evening journal., 1904-01-04


I lay before the congress for its in.
formation a statement OF my action
up TO this time in executing the act en-
titled IAN act 10 provide for the con
struction of a canal connecting the
waters of the Atlantic and Pacific
oceans approved June IS. 1902
ssy the said act the president was au-
thorized 20 secure for the United States
me property OF the Panams Canal com.
pany and tho perpetual control of a
STRIP six miles wide across the isthmus
81 Panama. II was further provided
that should the president be unable
70 obtain for the United States salts.
factory title to the property of the New
Panama Canal company and tho con-
troll Of the necessary territory Of the
republic of Colombia within n
reasonable time and upon reasonable
terms then the president" should en-
deavor to provide for a canal by the
Nicaragua route The language quoted
defines with exactness and precision
what was 20 be done and what as a
matter OF fact has been done. The
president was authorized 10 90 to the
Nicaragua route only if within a rea-
sonable time he could not obtain econ
troll of tie necessary territory Of the
republic of Colombia" This control
has now boon obtained, the provision
Of the act has been complied with. it
IS no longer possible under existing
legislation to go TO the Nicaragua route
az an alternative.
Climax Of Canal Legislation.
This act marked the climax Of the
Effort on the part Of the United States
10 secure. so far as legislation was
concerned, an interoceanlc canal across
the isthmus. The effort TO secure a
treaty for this purpose with one of the
Central American republics did not
stand on the same footing with the Of
fort TO secure a treaty under any ordl-
nary conditions. The proper position
for the United States 10 assume in
reference to this canal and therefore
20 the governments Of the isthmus had
been clearly set forth by Secretary
Cass in 1858. IN my annual message
have already quoted what Secretary
Cass said. but | repeat the quotation
here because the principle it states is
fundamental:
While the rights OF sovereignty Of the
states occupying this region Central
America) should always be respected. We
shall expect that these rights De exercised
IN spirit betting the occasion and the
wants ana circumstances that have aris-
hr ffn
its rights, and none OF these local govern
mentg. even II administered with more re
GaTd to the just demands Of other nations
than they have been would be permitted.
IN spirit OF eastern Isolation to close
the gates o. intercourse on the rreat hirh
ways OF the world and iustif, the act hv
the pretension that these avenues OF trade
nnd travel belong 20 them and that they
choose TO shut them. or. what Is almost
equivalent. 10 incumber them wlsh such
unjust relations as would prevent their
general use.
The principle thus enunciated by Sec.
rotary Cass was sound then. and il is
sound now. The United States has
taken the position that no other gov
ernment is TO build the canal. In 1889.
when France proposed to come TO the
aid Of the French Panama company by
guaranteeing their bonds, the senate OF
the United States in executive session.
with only some three votes dissenting.
passed resolution as follows:
That tho government Of the United
States will look with serious concern and
diaapproVal upon any connection OF any
European government with the construc-
zion or control OF any ship canal across
the isthmus OF Darien or across Central
America and must regard any such con
nscuon or control as Injurious to the jus,
rights and interests Of the United states
and as menace to their welfare.
The Hay Pauneefoto Treaty.
Under the hay -Pauncefote treaty Il
was explicitly provided that the Unit.
Cd States should control police and
protect the canal which was to be
bosl: keeping &c open for the vessels
q I'll nations on equal terms. The
United States thus assumed the posi-.
tan o. guarautor OF the canal ana Of
lie peaceful use by all the world. The
auc rantee included as matter of
course the building Of the canal. Tho
enterprise was recognized as respond.
ing 10 an International need, and II
would be the veriest travesty OH right
ADD justice 10 treat the governments ia
possession Of the isthmus as havinr
the right, in the language Of Mr.. Cass
TO close the gateA OF Intercourse on
the great highways Of the world and
justify the act by the pretcnsion that
these avenues o. trade and travel be
long TO them and that they cheese tc
nhut them"
When this goVcrnment submitted Z
Colombia the Hay-Herrsn treaty. thre,
things were therefore already settled.
Ono was that the canal should b.
built. The time for delay. the time 70,
permitting the attempt TO be made b,
private enterprise. the time for per
hitting any government OF antisocla
spirit and or Imperfect DEVELOPMENT Il
bar the work WAS past. The Unite,
States had assumed ~ connection Wild
the canal certain responsibilities NO
only TO 10 own people. Dot to the CIV
lied world which inporauvely d,
lnandsd that there should no longer b
delay IN beginning the work
Second. While Il WAS settled this
tho canal should be built without NJ
necessary or improper delay. it was n
Less clearly shown 70 be our purpose {
deal not merely IN a spirit OF justice
hut IN a spirit OF generosity. with n
people through whose land we migl
build H. The Hay-Herrnn treaty, n
erred Al all. erred in the direction OF a