The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-05
We Hold the Way, Build
the Canal.
Continued from Third Page.)

Beaupre, which was sent later in the
DAY, this government was asked whether
il would take action ito maintain Co
IcmDian right and sovereignty on TIE
Isthmus in accordance with article 90 (oi)
the treaty of 1855" IN case Of the Coiom-
ban Government should be entirely TN
able to suppress the secession movement
there" Here was a direct solicitation TO
the United States to intervene Tor Tee
purpose Of suppressing, contrary to the
t1eaty OF 1876 as this government has
uniformly construed it, new reVolt
against Colombias authority brought
about by her own refusal to permit 3ho
fulflment Of the great design TOR when
that treaty was made. Ii was under these
circumstances that the United States, IL
stead OF using it's forces to destroy those
VINO sought to make the engagements OF
the treaty reality, recognized them as
the proper custodians OF the sovereignty
Of the Isthmus.
This recognition was, in the second
place, further justified by the highest
considerations Of our national interests
and safety. In all the range OF our inter
national relations, / do not hesitate 10
affirm that there is nothing of greater
O. more pressing !uiPO1 L>t4'OC SiAe~AA IA'N
construction OF an interoceanlc canal.
Long acknowledged to be essential to our
commercial development, it has become,
as the result of the recent extension OF
our territorial dominion, more than ever
essential to our national self-detense. In
transmitting to the Senate tle treaty OF
1916, resident Polk pointed out as the
principal reason for its ratification that
the passage of the Isthmus, which it was
designed to secure, would relieve us IRON
long and dangerous navigation OF more
than 9.0G0 miles around Cape Horn, ant
render cur communication with our own
possessions On the northwest coast Of
America comparatively easy and speedy
The events Of the past five years have
given to this consideration an Importance
UNNECESSARILY greater than 1t possessed
in 1916. In the light Of our present sit
uation, the establishment OF easy az
speedy communication by sea between the
Atlantic and the Pacific presents Itself
not simply as something to be desired.
but as an object to be positively and
promptly attained. Reasons of convenience
have been superseded by reasons CT vital
necessity, which do not admit Of indef-
mite delays.
To such delays the rejection by Co
ombia Of the Hay-Herran treaty d.rectle
exposed us. As proof of this fact l need
only refer to the programme outlined in
the report of the majority Of the Panan1
canal committee, read in the Colombian
Senate on the 18th of October last. In
this report, which recommended that the
discussion Of law to authorize the gov
eminent to enter upon new negotiations
should be Indefinitely postponed, it IS pro
posed that the consideration Of the sub
iect should be deferred till October 81,
1904, when the next Colombian Congress
should have met in ordinary session. BY
that time, as the report goes on to say,
the extension of time granted to the
New Panama Canal Company by treaty
in 1893 would have exp.red, and the new
Congress would be in position TO take
up the question whether the compan~ had
not. in spite of further extensions that
had been granted by legislative acts. for
feited all its property and rights. When
that time arrives" the report signlf,
cantly declares, "the Republic, without
any impeachment, will be able to contract,
and will be in more clear. more definite.
and moro advantageous possession, co..
legally and materially" The naked mean
ing Of this report is that Colombia pro
posed TO wait until, by the enforcement
of forfeiture repugnant 10 the ideas OF
Justice which obtain IN every civilized
nation. the property and rights of the
New Panama Canal Company could be
eonfiscated.
Such is the scheme 10 which it was
proposed that the United States snoula
be invited to become q party. The CO
struction OF the canal was to be TeleSa-
ted TO the indefinite future, while Colon
bia was, by reason of her own delay, to
be placed n the more advantageous
position Of claiming not merely the com
pensation to be paid by the United
States for the privilege Of complct.-
the canal. but also the forty millions au-
thorized by the act OF 1902 to be paid
for the property OF the New Panama
Canal Company That the attempt 60
carry out this scheme would have brought
Colombia into conflict with the govern
nent OF France can not be doubted; nor
could the United States have counted
upon immunity from the consequences CT
the attempt, even arart from the indeit-
mite delays to which the construction CT
the canal was to be subjected. On the
first appearance of danger to Colombia,
this government would have been sum
moned to interpose in order to give effect
to the guarantees of the treaty Of 1896
and all this in support of a plan which,
while characterized in its first stage pY
the wanton disregard Of our own highest
interests, was fifty to end in further IL
Jury to the citizens Of friendly nation.
whose enormous losses in their generous
efforts to pierce the Isthmus have 90
cCme matter of history.
In the third place, l confidently main
tain that the recognition CT the Republic
Of Panama was an act justified Dy the IN
terests Of collective civilization. II ever
government could be said to have e
ceived a mandate from civilization to ct
feet an object the accomplishment OF
which was demanded il the interest ot
mankind the United States holds that
position with regard to the interocesnie
canal. Since cur purpose to bulld the
canal was definitely announced, there
have come from all quarters assurances
OF approval and encourag cement, IN Wnleh
even Colombia herself at ono tine par
ticipated and IN general assurances
were added soccifc arts ard dcc!dra tl0Ds.