Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-07

not be doubted; nor could the United
States have counted upon immunity
from the consequences of the attempt
even apart from the indefinite delays,
to which the construction of the canal
was to be subjected. On the first APP
pearance of danger to Colombia, this
government would have been summons
ed to interpose, in order to give effect.
to the guarantees of the treaty of
1916; and all this In support of a
plan which. while characterized in its
first stage by the wanton disregard
of, our own highest interests, was fifty
to end in further injury to the citi-
zens of a friendly nation, whose enor-l
nous losses IN their generous effort
TO pierce the isthfnus have become
matter of history.
Recognition of Panama.
In the third place, confidently
MAINTAIN that the recognition of the
republic OF Panama was an act JUS
tined by the interests of collective civ
ilization. If ever q government could
pc said to have received a mandate
from civilization to effect an object
the accomplishment of which was de-
manded in the interest OF mankind,
the. United States holds that position
with regard to the interoceanic ca
maj. Since our purpose to build the
canal was definitely announced, there
ances of approval and encouragement,
IN which even Colombia herself at one
time participated; and to general as
surances We're added specific acts and
declarations. In order that no obsta-
Gle might stand in our way, Great
Britain renowned important rights
under the Clayton Bulwer treaty and
agreed to it's abrogation, receiving in
return nothing but our honorable
pledge to build the canal and. pro-
tect 1t as an open highway. 1t was
In view of this pledge, and of the
proposed enactment by the congress
of the United States of legislation TO
give IT immediate effect that the sec
ond Pan-American conference, at the
City of Mexico, on January 20, 1902,
adopted the following resolutions:
The republics assembled at the
international conference of Mexico APP
plaud the purpose q of the United
States government to construct an in
teroceanic canal, and acknowledge that
This work will not only be worthy of the
greatness of the American people, but
also IN the highest sense work OF
civilization, and to the greatest degree
beneficial to the development Of COM
meree between the American states
| and the other countries of the
| world" M
Reyes Change of Heart.
Among those who signed this res
olution on behalf of their respective
| governments was General Reyes, the
delegate of Colombia Little could
1t have been foreseen that two years
later the Colombian government. led
astray by false allurements of sell
| fish advantage, and forgetful alike OF
ats international obligations and of the
duties and responsibilities of sover-
| eighty, would thwart the efforts of the
| United States to enter upon and COM
plete a work which the nations oil
| America, re-echoing the sentiment OF
the nations OF Europe, had pronounced
to be not only worthy of the great
ness of the American people," but al
SO In the highest sense a work OF
| civilization ~
That our position as the mandatory
Of civilization has been by no means
misconceiyed is shown by the promp-
| tltude with which the powers have
one after another, followed in otli
lead in recognizing Parma as an in
dependent state. Our action In rec
ognizing the new republic has beer
followed by like recognition on the
part OF France, Germany, Denmark
Russia, Sweden and Norway, Nicar.
aqua, Peru, China, Cuba, Great Brit.
ain, Italy, Costa RIGA. Japan, and Au.
| stria- Hungary
In view of the manifold considera.
lions of treaty right and obligation
of national interest and safety, an6
| Of collective civilization, by which oui
government was constrained to act
! am at a loss to comprehend the at.
| titude of those who can discern in thu
| recognition of the republic of Pana.
| ma only a general approval of TIL,
principle of revolution" by which {
given government is overturned or pns
I1portion of a country separated from
another. Only the amplest justifica.
ton can warrant a revolutionary move.
4 ment of either kind. But there is nj
fixed rule which can be applied to al
such movements. Each case must bt
! Judged on it's own merits. There have
| been many revolutionary movements
many movements for the dismember.
Inents OF countries, which were evil
| tried by any standard. But in. my
/ opinion no disinterested and fair.
i minded observer acquainted with the
1 circumstances can fail to feel thai
! Panama had the amplest justification
! for separation from Colombia under
4 the conditions existing, and, morrow.
i er, that it's action was in the highes
4 degree beneficial to the interests O.
| the entire civilized world by securing
the Immediate opportunity for thu
building of the interoceanic canal
1t would be well for those who ar,
(. pessimistic as to our action In peace
fully recognizing the republic of Pan
anna. while we lawfully protected tn,
| transit from invasion and disturb
ance to recall what has been done ii
Cuba. where; we interviewed by fore
| on general grounds Of national inter
/ est and duty. When we interferet
| 1t was freely prophesied that we in
| tended TO keep Cuba and administe
4 it for our own interests. The resul
has demonstrated in singularly con
elusive fashion the falsity OF thes,
| prophesies. Cuba is now an independ
ent republic. We governed 1t In it
own interests for a few years, till !
was able to stand alone, and thel
started 1t upon its career Of self gov
eminent and independence, granting |
all necessary aid We have receive,
from Cuba a grant of two naval sta
1 tons, SO situated that they In no pos
sible way menace the liberty Of tn
island and yet serve as important de
lenses for the Cuban people, as wei
4 as for our own people, against possibl
foreign attack. The people OF Cub
have been immeasureably benefited b,
our interference in their behalf, an,
our own gain has been great. So viii
1t be with Panama. The people 0
the isthmus, and as firmly believ
Il of the Adjacent parts of Central an