The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-05
Colombia Had Advantage.

Soionlpld F1du advantage.
Such is the scheme to which it was
proposed that the United States should
be invited to become a party The con-
struction of the canal was to be relega-
ted to the indefinite future, while Colom-
bia was, by reason of her own delay, to
be placed in the more advantageous
position of claiming not merely the COM
pensation to be paid by the United States
for the privilege of completing the canal,
but also the forty millions authorized by
the act of 1902 to be paid for the property
of the New Panama Canal company.
That the attempt to carry out this scheme
would have brought Colombia into con-
fiict with the government of France can
not be doubted; nor could the United
States have counted 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 appearance of
danger to Colombia this government
would have been summoned to interpose,
in order to give effect to the guarantees
of the treaty of 1886: and all this in sup
port of a plan which. while characterized
in it's first stage by the wanton disregard
of our own highest interests, was fifty
to end in further injury to the citizens of
friendly nation. whose enormous losses
iri their generous efforts to pierce the
isthmus have become a matter of his
tory.
In the third place I confidently main
tain that the recognition of the republic
of Panama was an act justified by the
interests of collective civilization. If
ever a government could be said to have
received a mandate from civilization to
effect object the accomplishment of
which was demanded in the interest of
mankind, the United States holds that
position with regard to the interoceanic
canal. Since our purpose to build the
canal was definitely announced there
have come from all quarters assurances
of approval and encouragement, in
which even Colombia herself at one time
participated; and to general assurances
were added specific acts and declarations.
In order that no obstacle might stand in
our way, Great Britain renowned impor-
tant rights under the Clayton Bulwer
treaty and agreed to it's abrogation, re-
receiving in return nothing but our hon.
orable 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 1t immediate
effect that the second Pan-A merican con-
ference. at the City of Mexico. on January
%, 1902. adopted the following resolu-
ton:
"The republics assembled at the inter-
the purpose of the United States govern
ment to construct an interoceanie canal
and acknowledge that this work will not
only be worthy of the greatness of the
American people. but also in the highest
sense a work of civilization. and to the
greatest degree beneficial to the develop
ment of commerce between the American
states and the other countries of the
world"
bp cfo Il
ton On behalf of their respective govern
ments was General REYES. the delegate
of Colombia. Little could it have been
foreseen that two years later the Colom-
bian government led astray by false al
lurements of selfish advantage and for
getful alike of its international obliga-
tions and of the duties and responsible
ties of sovereignty. would thwart the eff
forts of the United States TO enter upon
and complete work which the nations
of America. re-echoing the sentiment of
the nations of Europe. had pronounced to
be not only worthy of the greatness of
the American people," but also 'in the
highest sense work of civilization"
Endorsed BY Powers.
That our position as the mandatory of
civilization has been by no means mis-
conceived is shown by the promptitude
with which the powers have, one after
another. followed our lead In recognizing
Panama an independent state. Our
action in recognizing the new republic
has been followed by like recognition on
the part of France. Germany. Denmark.
Russia. Sweden and Norway. Nicaragua.
Peru. China, Cuba, Great Britain. Italy,
Costa Rica, Japan, and Austria-Hun-
gary.
In view of the manifold considerations
of treaty right and obligation. of ma
al "a
tive civilization. by which our govern
ment was constrained to act. | am at a