New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
CHARGES REFUTFD.

call especial attention 10 tbs co-,cI,df,. n.y.
tion OF this interview, which states the willing
ness OF the Panama people to fight the Colo-n-
bian troops and the refusal OF Commander Hub
bard 10 permit them 20 use the railroad and
therefore to get into position where the fight
could take place. 1t thus clearly appears that
the fact that there no bloodshed on the
isthmus was directly due-ard only due-to the
prompt and firm enforcement by the United
States OF It's traditional policy. Durin, the last
forty years revolutions and atternDts az revolu-
ton have succeeded one another with nOnoto-
nous regularity on the isthmus and again and
again United States sailors and marines have
been landed they were landed in This iusta nce
and under similar instructions to protect the
transit. one or these revolutions resulted in
three years OF warfare: and the ascregate OF
oloodshed and misery caused by them has been
incalCuiable. The fact that In This LAST ravoIu-
tion not HE was lost, save that OF the man
killed by the shells OF the Colombian gunboat
and no property destroyed. was due 70 the ac-
tlon which have described. We In effect DO
hceu the lsthmuS In the interest OF its inhab-
itants and Of own national neads ana FOR
the good OF the entire civilized world Failure
10 act as the administration acted would have
meant great waste Of life great suffering great
destruction OF property. all OF which was avoided
by the hrmness and prudence With which Com
mandcr Hubbard carried out his orders and pre-
vented either party from attacking the other
Our action was for the peace borb Of Colombia
ana OF fahaina 1t Is earnestly to be hoped that
ulere VIII &c no unwise conduct on our part
which may encourage Colombia 10 embark on a
war winch cannot result In her re-aining con-
troll OF the isthmus. but which NAV cause much
oloodshed and suffering.
THERE WAS NO CO,,p1rr,rry
I hesitate 10 refer to the Injurious insinuations
whlch nave peen made OF compIlcity by this
government In the revolutionary tnoyar7ent i'm
Panama They are as destitUta ~ fonnd9tion a
OF proprIety. The only excuse for nv mentions
Ing them Is the fear lest minimizing persons
might mistake for acquiescence fine silence OF
mere seIf-respect. l think proper to say. there
fore, that no one connected v.ftb This govern
meht had any part IN preparing melting or en-
couraSinS the late revolution on the Isthmus OF
fallalha ana that. save from the reports OF
military and naval officers. given above no one
connected with this governTDaDF b,d any pre-
VIous knowledge of the revolution except such
as was accessible to any person of ordinary in
teAseAce VINO read The newspapers and kept up
a current acquaintance with public affairs
BY the unanimous zion OF its people with
out the hrlnS or a shot-With a unanimity hard
~ before recorded In any similar case-the peo-
pie on Panama declared themselves an independ-
ent republic. Their recognition by this govern
ment was based upon n state 81 f9cts in no way
dependent FOR IT'S Justification upon our action
in ordinary cases. 1 have not denied. nor do l
wish TO deny. either the validity or the propriety
be recognized as Independent tiu il has shown
its ability TO maintain it's indepeudeuce. This
rule Is derived from the prInctDle of nOn-inter-
NehtIon; ana as a Corollary of that principle has
generally been observed by the United States.
But, like the principle from which II is deduced
the rule is subject 10 exceptions: and there
IN my opinion clear and imperative reasons why
departure from 1t was Justified and even re-
CURED In the present Instance These reasons
embrace hrst our treaty rights; second. our
national interests and safety: and, third. the
interests of collective civilization.
AN ERRONEOUS SUPERSTITION.
have already adverted to the treaty OF 1916,
by the thirJyhfth article OF which the United
states secured the right 10 a free and open
'4N'is1' actoss the lsthmus of Panama, and to