New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-05
R4TIFTC1TION URGED.

Instead Of using our forces, were in
N!ted ny Colombia 20 do, for the twofold pur-
pose Of defeating our own rights and interests
ard the interests Of the civilized world and Of
compelling the submission Of the people OF the
isthmus 10 those whom they regarded as OPP
presSorS, we shall. as IN duty bound, keep the
transit open and prevent its invasion. Mean
while the only question GOw before uS IS that
Of the ratification Of the treaty For Il Is 10 he
rcmeu heged that a failure 10 ratify the treaty
viii not undo what has been done, w!ll not re-
store Panama 10 Colombia. and VIII not alter
our obligation keep the transit open across
the isthmus, and 70 prevent any outside power
from ueuacing this transit.
+ seems to have been assumed In certain
quarters that the proposition that the ob!iga,
Hrz 10 be considered as adhering to and follow
3UE :he sovereignty Of the isthmus. 50 long as
thar sovere:E nty IS not absorbed by the United
States rests upon some novel theory. No as
sumption could be further from the fact. 1t IS
i.y no means true that State in declaring its
Independence rds itself Of all the treaty obliga-
lions entered into by the parent governn'e nt II
IS q mere coincidence that this question Was
once raised IN 4 case involving the Obligations
- Colombia os an independent state under a
treaty which Spain had made with the United
States many years before Spanish American in
dependence IN that case Mr. John Quincy
Adams, Secretary Of state, In an iHstru2tion TO
NJ Anderson, our MiniCter 10 Colombia, OF
Nay -. 1893 said:
R,, a treaty between the United States and Spain
concluded NJ a time when Colombia was a part Of
Tree ships make free goods was expressly recog-
declaration o. Independence Colombia has been en-
trcly released from all the obligations by which
as part Il the Spanish nation. she was bound TO
other nations. This pTlnaple Is not tenabIe. To
nl the errarcrEeuts Of Spain with other nations.
affecting shelr rights and interests. Colombia, 50
Gar as she affected by them. remains bound in
ferred 10 is Of ia, character.
The principle thus asserted by Mr. Adams was
HfterWard sustained BY an international COM
mission in respect 10 the precise stipulation to
which he referred; ard similar position was
taken by The United States With regard 10 the
binding obligation upon the independent State
az Texas cC commercial stipula lions embodied
N prtor treaties between rEC United States and
Mckee when Teas formed part Of the latter
c9r.t~-. Bur in the present case il is unneces-
Fary to go so Ia. Even y - he admitted that
iFic- treaties 4 a polittca! and commercial com
1LcXo1 generally do not bind a new State
FORMED by separation. il is underiab bic that stip
nations having p local application to the terri
tory embraced IT. The new State continue IN
tofce and are binding upon The new sovereign.
ih2s T. Is o. al hands conceded that treaties
relating 10 boundaries and To rights Of nayi2a-
uon continue in for @ X thOUt regard 10 changes
II government o. IN sovereignty. This pTin-
cipie ohv.oEsly applies to shat part OF the
treaty - 1876 which relates 10 :he Isthmus OF
Panama.
r. conclusion let me repeat tia, the question
hctual4y before this government IS not that OF
M recognition % Panama indepen tent
ieprplc- That is already al accomplished fact.
- 22fstcn, ard the only question, IS whether
o. DOL Sc shs! build 81 iSthTian canal
L2nslnl' herewith copies O. the latest notes
from lhe minister OF thc Republic OF Panama 10
ms KoNernncut. ana Of certain notes which
nave passed between the special envoy OF the
AepJo1c % Coor-l!a and this government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
"fite House. January 4. 1904.