The Washington times., 1904-02-24
The Case Of Panama.
Exposition of the ADMINISTRATOR
Policy by ex-Secretary Root.

why ~ hOSI.
The speech of Elihu Root before
the Union League Club, in Chicago.
or Monday, explaining the case of
Panama for the benefit Of homes,
critics and inquirers, is one of the
noteworthy speeches Of the year. Mr.
Root Is NOT a man who opens fire
without having all his guns loaded, or
allows them to 20 off at half-eock for
trHlng reasons. His keen, forceful
and comprehensive arguments will be
tard for the critics TO answer. while
they viii satisfy the souls of many
people who approved of what was
done ON general principles, but are
glad to know all the good reasons for
approval.
All honest Americans should be
glad that This speech was made. In
matters SO momentous as the decision
Of question involving not only the
future of the United States. but many
international relations and the COM
merce of the world in general, it is
best 10 have all facts known. and all
arguments based on sound reasoning
and thorough knowledge rather than
On prejudice. Those who opposed the
recognition of Panama on the ground
that we were bullying Colombia"
and those who supported it on the
ground that what Is done is DONE"
were alike guilty of the hasty iudg-
ments which make political life in this
country so much a matter of lodging
prejudiees. SO little matter of sober
reason and solid information.
Secretary Root addressed himself
not to constitutional critics or politi-
cal faultfnders actuated by self-in-
terest, but 10 honest thinkers who
want 10 know the facts. He first
pointed out the fact that experience.
let theory. Is the great teacher of
governments, and that what may seem
/" be contrary TO law may neverthe-
less be IN accordance with the spirit
Cf that law. He then went on to ex-
plain that the general rule Of respect
ing the technical rights Of each nation
has, more than once, been abrogated
III favor of some course of action
which would benefit all nations. The
world has long demanded Panama
transit. We have denied other pow
ers the right to supply this need. We
have tacitly assumed the responsible
r. ourselves. Like the passage of the
Dardanelles and the naturalization of
the Black Sea. the Panama canal was
au International necessity. The posi-
tim Of Colombia In the matter was
analogous to that Of some pig-headed
farmer wbo, owning the particular
bit of land known as Cumberland
Cap, might have attempted to hold
up a railroad corporation which
planned to connect the great States
on either side Of that pass through
the mountains. Such a farmer nigh.
have disregarded the advantage TO
himself and his neighbors in the
building Of the railway and demand
C. an evorbitant sum for his land.
hcggiing, postponing decision aad
Interfering vi.h the interests Of few
million people concerned in The road.
j. that ease the right of eminent do
main would have disposed Of the
farmers individual right. Something
Ike this right OF eminent domain has
come to be a tacit law in international
relations. Il is defined by Mr.. Root
o. follows:
Tl Monroe Doctrine itself. upon which we
rau' nrmlr. is sn assertion of our right
i- 9us own interest TO interfere with the
action % every other nation In those paris
a. iIs hemisphere where others are sovereign
ana ri..r ve have no sovereignty OF claim
20 sovcfr'gutr. and 10 say ~ you do thus
ari -u, even bv the consent OF jhe sovereign
-'ai regard IL IS an unfrcndly act because
t9lct ~ iuiriously. u is said that
ans Monroe Doctrine is not a rule Of inter
rational lsw- Il is not a rule AZ an. Il is
an assertion II a right under the universal
RUE ulat an sovereignty is held subject 70
tmiatioas IN lis exercise arising from lie
i'al interests Of other nations.
The next strong point made BIZ Mr..
Root was that Colombia, having failed
10 dead straightforwardly with us.
could not expect the consideration
due an honest power: that, IN short.
VIC had 10 act not on what she said.
bHt on what she apparently meant
She showed a very plain desire to
Loid mp the United States for as large
q sum as she could obtain, and this in
spite of the fact that the building Of
the canal would do her more good
than any other country.
After reviewing the history Of Pan