Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-01-07
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE ON PANAMA.

plans, and its necessity Is ruIly recognized
In the Hay-Pauncefote treaty. The con.
gress In providing that such control
pie, but only Incorporated In It's legisla-
tion a condition the Importance and pro-
priety Of which were universally recog-
nized, During all the years Of negotiation
and discussion that preceded the conclu-
sion Of the Hay-Herran treaty, Colombia
never intimated that the requirement by
the United States of control over the ca
nal strip would render unattainable the
construction of canal by way Of the
Isthmus of Panama; nor were we advised,
during the months when legislation Of 1909
was pending before. the congress-, that the
terms which It embodied would render me-
gotiadons with Colombo impracticabls
II is plain that no nation could construct
and guarantee the neutrality OF the canal
! with a less degree Of control than was
stipulated for in the Hay-Herran treaty.
A refusal to grant such degree Of control
practicable treaty at all such refusal
! therefore squarely raised the question
! whether Colombia was entitled to bar the
transit Of the worlds traffic across the
THAT the canal itself was eagerly de-
i manded by the people OF the locality
| through which 1t was to pass. and that
the people Of this locality no less eagerly
lean control. are shown by the unanin-
| lty of action in the new Panama repub-
! he. Furthermore. Colombo, after having
4 rejected the treaty IN spite Of our pro-
power to accept II, has since shown the
utmost eagerness to accept the same
treaty II only the status que could be re-
stored. One Of the men standing highest
vemberss 6, addressed the American min
lister at Bogota, saying that III the gov
ernment of the United States would land
troops to preserve Colombian sovereignty
and the transit. the Colombiapy govern
ment would declare martial law; and.
by virtue of vested constitutional author
ity, when public order IL disturbed,
[would] approve by decree the rRtlfica-
ton of the canal treaty as signed; or.
If the government of the United States
prefers, [wouldl call extra session of the
congress-with new and friendly MEM
bers-next May to approve the treaty.
/, Having these facts IN view. there is no
shadow OF question that the government
Of the United States proposed a treaty
which was not merely just, but generous
to Colombia, which our people regarded
as erring, II at all, on the side of over
generosity; which was hailed with de-
light by the people OF the immediate
locality through which the canal was to
pass who were most concerned as to the
new order of things, and which the Co.
lombian authorities now recognize as be-
ise its unconditional ratification If only
we will desert those who have shown
themselves our friends and restore to
those who have shown themselves un-
friendly the power to undo what they dtd
/ pass by the question es to what aasur-
arce we have that they would now keep
their pledge and not again refuse to
ratify the treaty II they had the power;
for, OF course, | will not for one moment
States committing an act Of such base
ness as to abandon the new republic q
Panama
'"Third. Finally the congress definitely
settled where the canal was TO be built.
made for building the .canal across the
u thmus Of Panana; and II. after reason-
able time, 1t proved impossible to secure
such treaty. that then we should go to
for It needs no argument to show that
the intent Of the congress was to Insure
q canal across Panama. and that whether
the republic granting the title was called
tered not one whit. As events turned
out, the question Of reasonable time did |
not enter into the matter at all, Al
though, as the months went by, II be-
came increasingly improbable that the
treaty or take steps which would be
equivalent thereto yet all chance for |
such action on their part did not vanish
until the congress closed at the end OF
after the revolution in Panama had
broken out. Panama became an inde-
pendent state, and the control Of the ter:
ritory necessary for building the canal
then became obtalnabie. The condition
uunder which alone we could have gone
to Nicaragua thereby became impossible
Of fulfillment II the pending treaty with
Panama should not be ratified by the
senate, this would not alter the fact that
gress has decided the route. and there is
no alternative under existing legislation"
The president SAYS that after the
failure Of the Colombian congress to
.rnment would have to 20. to N. Vice.
lRua route. and that he had made the
original draft Of hts message N rcn--e
liong that line This was one Of three
that confronted the govern;
Panama might take the protection ~
heir own interests into their own hands
md establts.- government competent
md willing to DO Its share In the con-
,urred. and made the reverting 70. the
1icaragnan route unnecessary. and. In
act, Impossible under the authority .ot
ne president a. vested in him by the
Iction Of congress-
Report Of Commander Hubbard.
The president emphatically denies that
his government had any hand In the
n6uBaunB OF tuib IcNoiuhVh- NAo AhSW' |
: ali the world did. that such was Inn
ninent and the navy department took
measures 10 protect American
interests, but nothing further He gives
opfes OF the orders sent 70 commanding
Ulcers Of American warships, and their
arfous reports upon the situation. He
harRes Colombia with virtually making
var upon the United States at Colon, and
uotes the report Of Commander Hub
ard. Of the Nashville. dated November
10 sustain this charge. In this report
Hubbard. says in part:
"PNlding a complete repbrt OF the oc-
urr gees Of the last three days in Colon.
olombda most respectfully invite the
attention TO those OF the
ate OF Wednesday, November 4, which
10 practically the making OF
ar against the United States by the
nicer in command OF the Colombian
roops IN Colon. At one o'clock D. m on
aat date l was summoned on shore by q
le United States consul. vice nsul and
oil shaler. the general sup intendent
the Panama railroad. The consul In
lrmed me that he had received notice
ON the oficer commanding the Colom-
an troops Col Torres, through the
reject Of Colon. TO the effect that II the
olombinn ofiicera, Gems. Tobal and
maya who had been Beized In Panama
1 the evening Of the ID OF November BY
= indepsndents and held as prisoners.
ere not released By two O'Clock D. m, I
!, Torrea, would open Ere on the town
Colon and kll every United states
fiaen IN the place. and my advice and
,fion were requested. I advised that all
Z United 9tatea citizens should take
fure in the shed Of the Pansma Rail-
.ad company. q stone bu.ldine suscept-