Evening star., 1904-02-23

Company refused to transport the $50 Co
lombian soldiers to Panama to attack the
Ib00 insurgents in arms there. and that
the officers of the American government
were directed to prevent any troops of
either party from making the line of the
railroad the theater Of hostilities; but this
was no new policy devised or applied for
this occasion; and 1t was impartial as to
both parties to- the controversy.
The insurgents were anxious that the
transportation should be given. for they
outnumbered the Colombians more than
three to one, and when 1t was refused they
asked for transportation for themselves to
attack the Colombians in Colon. and that
was refused.
'The things done by our officers might
not have been permissible in the territory
OF a country Of strong and orderly govern
ment possessing and exercising the power
to prevent lawless violence and to protect
the lives and property Of citizens and for
eigners alike; but action Of this character
Is. according to the universal rules OBJ
tanning among civilized nations, not only
permissible. but duty of the highest obli-
cation In countries whose feeble govern
ments exercise imperfect control in their
own territory and fail to perform the
duties Of sovereignty for the protection of
life and property.
Colombia's Incapacity.
In the category of incapacity to protect
the rights of others, Colombia has placed
herself as to the Isthmus of Panama by
the record of the past years. She could
not maintain order upon the isthmus be-
cause she did not seek to maintain justice:
she could not command respect for her
laws because she had abandoned the rule
OF law and submitted to the control Of an
arbitrary dictator
The right of self-protection for Ameri-
can interests rested upon these facts en-
phasized and enforced by the grant of
power In the treaty of 1916, and by Colom-
bias own appeals to the American govern
ment TO intervene for the maintenance of
order.
1t was not the neutral force of forty-two
marines and blue Jackets or anything that
the American government or American Of
ncers said or did. that led the 450 Colom-
bians to retire from Colon; it was the fact
that they found themselves alone among
a hostile and unanimous people with an
overwhelming insurgent force in arms
against them which left no alternative but
capture or retreat.
Real Grounds of Complaint.
The recognition of independence and the
treaty with Panama are the real grounds
of Colombias complaint and upon the JUS
tice of those acts America stands. fairly,
openly, with full disclosure of every step
taken and every object sought.
Upon the firm foundation of that right
eous action. with the willing authority
or the lawful owners of the soil, we will
dig the canal. not for selfish reasons, not
for greed of gain. but for the worlds COM
merce. benefitting Colombia most of ALL
We shall not get back the money we spend
upon the canal any more than we shall
get back the money we have expended to
make Cuba free and Independent repub-
nc, or the money we have expended to set
the people of the Philippines on the path
of ordered liberty and competency for self
government
But we shall promote our commerce, we
shall unite our Atlantic and Pacific coasts
we shall render inestimabIe service to man.
kind. and we shall grow in greatness and
honor and in the strength that comes from
difhcult tasks accomplished and from the
exercise of the power that strives in the
nature of a great constructive people.