The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-07
PRESIDENTS PANAMA MESSAGE.

rected to endeavOr To provide Tor
canal by the Nicaragua route. The
president argues that a canal treaty
has been secured now, subject to rati-
fication by this government, Tor the
Panama route, and that the Mica
ragua route is out of the question
lie quotes Secretary OF State Cass'
in 1853, as to the right OF SOW
ereignty of the Central American
States in justification OF his position
that Colombia had no fright to stand
in the way of the avenues OF the
worlds trade. He holds that the
United States is the only country
that can build the canal, and that TO
allow it to he built by any other
country would be violative OF the
spirit of the Monroe Doctrine. The
president sets out that when the
Hay-Herran treaty was submitted
to Colombia, three things were al
ready settled. First, that the canal
should be built; second, that we
would deal generously with any peo-
pie through whose lands the canal
might pass. Then follows a lengthy
argument in substantiatiOn OF this
second claim. Third, that Congress
definitely settled where the canal was
to be built; that it should be across
the lsthmus OF Panama; and il, after
a reasonable time, it was Impossible
to secure treaty for the Panama
route. then We should go to Mica
ragua. The president argues that
the treaty for the Panama route has
been made; it matters not with what
country it was made. The Colomoi-
an Congress adjourned without ratl-
Tying the treaty. and within three
DAYS the Panama revolution broke
out. Panama became an independent
nation and control Of the canal ter
ritory became obtainable The pres
ident states that he had considered
revolution on the part OF Panama as
probable on account OF the failure OF
Panama to ratiiy the canal treaty,
but that the information came
through newspaper, United States
military aud naval and unofficial re-
ports. Then follow newspaper clip
pings tending to show that the fact
was generally known. Thepresident
saws that when these reports were
confirmed by naval officers who had
been stationed in the vicinity OF Pan
ANA, he directed that war ships be
sent to the isthmus with orders TO
maintain uninterrupted transit
across the isthmus, as had been the
policy OF this government all along.
Then follows an explanation OF the
dispatches between Washington and
the consul-general at Panama, in
which the president says that the
first dispatch was sent on account
OF the receipt OF bulletin by the
Associated Press in Washington,
stating that revolution had broken
out in Panama. A letter from Com
mander Hubbard, in which the Co
lombians are charged with wanton
insult and threats against American
citizens, and in which Commander
Hubbard charges that the Colon
bians practically made war upon the
United States, and showing what
part the marines under hiscOmmaDd
played in the protection OF Ameri-
cans in Colombia, then follows. The
president states that there were no
American men-of-war and no Ameri-
can sailors or soldiers at Panama
when the revolution broke out, and
that Commander Hubbard acted at
Colon with entire impartiality TO
both sides, and seeks to substan-
tiate this by quotation from ma
tive Panamaian- The president de-
clares that no one connected with
this government had any part in
preparing, melting or encouraging
the late revolution on the lsthmus
of Panama, or had any previous
knowledge OF it, except from the re-
port OF our military and naval Off
GERS. He recognizes the rule that
new states should not be recognized
until they have shown ability Tor
self-governmeDt, but declares that
for three reasOns-viz a. our treaty
rights; (2), our national interests
and safety, and (3), the interests OF
collective Observation-Disclosures af-
fords an exception. After enlarging
upon the three reasons given, the
president seeks to justify recognition
and sets out the fact that France,
Germany, Denmark, Russia, Sweden
and Norway, Nicaragua, Peru, China,
Cuba, Great Britain, Italy, Costa
Rics, Japan and Austria Hungary
followed with recognition OF Panama.
The message closes with plea for
the ratification OF the treaty with
Panama.
------
The Russian press, pending the war
excitement and restless feeling 10 the
East, is discussing the attitude OF
the United States in the event OF war
between Russia and Japan. Some OF
the leading dailies take a cOnserva-