The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-01
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PAGE.)

hand in bringing the revolution about, and
that il acted only when the Colombian
commander at this port threatened TO
slaughter Americans 1t is only proper 10
say, too. that If the question of the right
eousness of American interference should
! be put to vote on the isthmus 1t would
be sustained by the unanimous voice OF the
people.
Panama knows, as does the world at large,
just what motives influenced Colombia TO
reject the Hay-Herran treaty. Panama
has had more experience than has all the
rest of the world with Colombian greed and
unscrupulousness This little republic while
a state of the Colombian federation was
systematically mulcted its citizens were po-
litely pilfered of their substance, and for
many long years the whole state paid trib-
ute to that rapacity which affiicts the gov
eminent at Bogota. With this experience
Panama knows that when Colombia re-
Jected the treaty, upon which every hope
of isthmian prosperity was pinned, she did
so in the belief that she could drive a
better bargain for herself. No thought OF
Panama's interests entered into the consid-
erations at Bogota, for had $i0O00,OO0 instead
of S1OO00,000 been the price we agreed to
pay Colombia for transfer of the con-
cession, Panama would never have seen a
cent OF that sum. And with all Panama s
future hopes staxed on the transfer of that
concession to the United States She, more
than any other people government, has
felt the evil effects of Colombias obstruct-
i've tactics. That is the reason this republic
TO a man approves American interference;
that is the reason the treaty we have ne
gotiated with Panama was so quickly ac-
cepted by the junta.
Looking at the situation from our own
standpoint, in full realization of the causes
Panama had to revolt against Colombia, we
would have been foolish, indeed had we
not acted as we did. Speedy recognition of
the republic. thereby aiding IL to gain its
feet has given the United States a more
perfect control over the isthmus than 1t
could have secured by the payment of
$5O,OOO,OOO to Colombia.
WHAT WE GAIN.
In the first place, the people here look
upon us as their friend and are ready to
rely upon and trust us implicitly. In the
second place. as the canal treaty is so liberal
in it's grants to us that we could not have
asked more, except we had asked a cession
of the entire territory. We are free under
the treaty. and in return for the same terms
offered Colombia. to do exactly as we please
over the canal strip; to make and enforce
sanitary regulations over the zone and in
the cities of Panama and Colon; to bring
into these ports free of duty all the supplies
needed in the canal work. and we secure the
ISLANDS In Panama bay, lying just of the
entrance TO the canal, and little work will
convert these islands into yeritable Gibral-
tars. Our dominion over the canal strip is.
in short. %irtIally complete. This we could
not have secured from Colombia In secur-
ing ii we have done we not only get that.
but at the same time we get a dominating
try through which the canal is TO run That
We could not have secured from Colombia
for the government, had the Hay-Herran
treaty been ratified and the revolution Of
Nov. never taken place, would have CEN
tered at Bogota. far from our influence and
control. To anybody familiar with the craft
mess and trickery of Latin-American poli-
tics, this advantage will appear as a most
important one.
That we shall ever have occasion TO take
up arms against Colombia to sustain this re
DlhliC "A suggestion haar ~,
isthmus save among the members of the
American colony in this city. Rumors of all
sorts are current in this regard. but none of
them are definite. IL is said that Colombians
are already moving toward Panama; their
camps have in fact, been located. and tales
of invasion and coming warfare are circu-
lated.
WAR NOT THOUGHT OF.
The knowing-the native Panamaians-
only shrug their shoulders al these tales.
In government circles there is some little
show OF activity in preparing for resist
ance; but this Is a bluff equal in size to that
which Senior Jose Agustin Arrange passed
TO Colonel Torres over the telephone wire
between Panama and this city on the even
ing OF the 4th of November. Colonel Tor
res had been demanding that he be allowed
TO communicate with Generals Tovar and
Amaya. The demand was refused. but as
a substitute he was allowed 10 talk to
Senior Arrange. After a little preliminary
palavar Colonel Torres, in trying 10 con-
vince Senior Arrange OF the folly OF the rev.
olution. said:
Il have 1890 troops"
I'VE have 1900" answered Arrange. quick
as a flash: ''all armed and equipped for ac-
tive service"
Il snail march upon Panama tomorrow, 9"
said Torres.
"Why wait until tomorrow" asked
arrange. awe are not waiting AS l talk
our 1900 nsen are marching past this build
ing taking the road for Colon TO attack
you and give you out OF the country
Very VI. said Torres, 81 shall move