Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1904-01-08

way dependent for its Justification upon
our action in ordinary cases l have not
denied, nor do l wish to deny, either the
validity or the propriety OF, the general
ognized as Independent till 1t has shown
Its ability to maintain its independence.
This rule Is derived from the principle of
principle has generally been observed by
the United States But, like the principle
from which 1t is deduced. the rule is SUBJ
ject to exceptions; and there are in my
opinion clear and imperative reasons why
departure from 1t was justified and even
REQUIRED In the present instance. These
second, our national interests and safety;
and. third, the Interests of collective civili-
cation"
Reasons for Ratification.
He reviews these reasons at considerable
length and justities the speedy recognition
on either and all of them. He refers to
precedents to show that treaties concluded
with one nation are binding upon the sue
1876 with New Granada was transferred
first TO Colombia and nowto Panama. or
tn second reason he says:
This recognition was, IN the second
place further justified by the highest con-
safety. In all the range OF our interna-
tional relations, do not hesitate TO al
firm that there is nothing of greater or
more pressing Importance than the con-
struction of an interoceanic canal, Long
acknowledged to be essential to our COM
mercial development, it has become. as
the result of the recent extension of our
territorial dominion, more lnan ever es-
sential to our national self-defense.
In the light of our present situation, the
establishment of easy and speedy com
munication by sea between the Atlantic
and the Pacific presents itself not simply
as something to be desired, but as an OBJ
tained Reasons of convenience have been
superseded by reasons of vital necessity,
which do not admit of indefinite delays.
In the same connection he charges Co.
attending
ratification of any canal treaty us to
place that government in position not
only to secure the $10,O00,0O0 offered 1t
compensation by this government, but to
secure the $iOOOO.o0o promised the Panama
Canal company for its franchise and
ber 81, 1904. the franchise or the Panama
company would have expired, and the
Colombian government be in a position
isthmus, and then be in a position to de-
mand of the United States the payment
to that government of both sums. In
this connection he says:
Such is the scheme to which 1t was
proposed that the United States should
be invited to become party. The con-
gated to the indefinite future, while CO.
lombia was. by reason of her own delay,
position of claiming not merely the COM
pensation to be paid by the United States
for the privilege Of completing the canal,
but also the S40,O0o,eO0 authorized by the
act of 1902 to be paid for the property OF
the New Panama Canal company That
the attempt to carry out this scheme
would have brought Colombia into con-
tiict with the government OF France can
not be doubted nor could the United
States have counted upon immunity from
the consequences of the attempt, even
apart from the indefinite delays to which
the construction of the canal was to be
subjected. On the first. appearance of
would have been summoned to interpose.
in order to give effect to the guarantees
/ of ha fT-faa fNFf \ all
port of plan which while characto~-
lied in its first stage by the wanton dis
regard Of our own highest interes $
1Zens of a friendly nation. whose enor-
nous losses in their generous efforts 70
pierce the tsthmus have become mat
or the third reason for speedy recog-
milton the president says in part:
I'm .t the third THU place; confidently maiq.
| of Panama was an act Justified by the
interests of collective civilization. If ever
government could be said to have r"-
effect object the accomplishment OF
which was demanded in the interest of
position with regard 70 the int"ro~ ~ Ito
canal. Since our purpose to build the
canal was definitely announced there
of approval and encouragement. in which
even Colombia herself at one time par
ticipated; and to general assurances were
added specific acts and declarations. In
order that no obstacle might stand IN n''-
way, Great Britain renowned important
and agreed to its abrogation. ra""iv'r~ in
return nothing but our honorable pledge
| to build the canal and protect 1t an
| open highway.
Justified by Collective Civilization.
THAT our position as the mandatory Of
| civilization has been by no Ineans mis-
conceived is shown by the prompttude
with which the powers have one after
another. followed our lead in recognizing
Panama as an independent state. Our
action IN recognizing the new republic
| has been followed by Ike recognit on on
the part OF France Germany. Denmark,
| feru, China, Cuba, Great Britain, Italy.
| Costa Rica, Japan and Austria HungttI y.
In view of the manifold considerat lns
of treaty right and obligation, of national
interest and safety, and of collective CIV
| ilizatlon, by which our govsrnme. :
constrained to act. ! am at a loss to
can discern in the recognition of the re-
! public of Panama only genera 10
! proval of the principle of revolution by
which u given government Is OVet .urlel
| or portion of a country separated
from another. Only the amplest just!-
movement of either kind. But hero =
no fixed rule which can be applied to all
such movements. Each case must be
| judged on It's own merits. Thel, q"
| peen many revolutionary movements,
many movements for the dismemberment
! OIL countries. Wnlcn We're evil, tried Ly
| any standard. But in my opinion no s.
interested and fair minded observer ac-
| quadnted with the circumstances can tail
| to feel that Panama had the amp,est jus
| tltication for separation from Colombia
under the conditions existing, and, more
| over that its action was in the highest
degree beneficial to the interests of the
| entire civilized world by securing the
| immediate opportunity for the building
| OF the interoceanic canal. The
| people of the isthmus. and as l firmlS,
believe OF the adjacent parts OF Central