The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1904-01-07
THE PANAMA M ESSAGE.

which the administration took in the
Panama matter and is largely supple
mental to that portion of the regular
message at the opening of the session
which treated of the same subject.
Presumably the message and the docu-
ments which accompany it are in
tended to anticipate the possibility
OF the adoption of the Hoar resolution,
or some other resolution calling for
more information regarding the act
ions of the United States ON the 18TH
mus and the reasons for them. its
work is we'll done, for the message
should establish beyond question the
fact that the United States was inno-
cent of any instigation of the revolu-
tion in Panama but, on the other
hand, maintained the strictest neutral
ity and enforced the avoidance of
hostilities along the line of the rail-
way according 10 treaty obligation.
The President states that in Aug
ust, when it began to appear probable
that the Colombian Congress would
not ratify the treaty. it became incum-
bent upon him to consider we'll the
situation and be ready to advise Con.
gress as to the alternatives of action
that might be chosen. There were
three alternatives that appeared prom
inent: First, Colombia might at the
last minute sec her error and decide
to ratify the treaty; 2nd, that at the
opening of the regular session of Con-
gress there might have been no ratfi-
cation of the treaty and yet no such
rejection or lapse of time as would
warrant proceeding under the canal
act of June 1902 to abandon the Pana-
ma route and to adopt the Nicarau-
guam; 3rd, the treaty might be re-
jected ano the inhabitants of Panama
in their anger might revolt-just
what has actually happened. 1t was
the second alternative that at the time
appeared to the President most likely
to occur, and he states he had actually
made the original draft OF his message
to Congress upon that basis, when the
rejection of the treaty came and the
resolution followed. He was preparing
to consult Congress as to whether the
canal should not be dug forthwith and
notice be served upon Colombia that
no better terms would be given, and
that if those we're not accepted ar
rangements with Panama direct would
be made
The President goes ON to relate
the events that followed and quotes
official reports to show how the few
American marines by determined but
careful action kept the trans. isthmus
railway running and prevented conflict
when it seemed imminent between
the Colombian and revolutionary
forces in the canal territory. He
sums it up in these words:
This plain official account of the
occurrences of November shows
that, instead of there having been too
much provision by the American Gov
eminent for the maintenance of order
and the protection of life and property
on the Isthmus, the orders for the
movement of the American war ships
had been too long delayed; SO long, in
fact, that there were but forty two
marines and sailors available to land
and protect the lives of American
men and women. 1t was only the
GOODNESS and gallantry with which
this little band of men wearing the
American uniform faced ten times
their number of armed foes, bent on
carrying out the atroclous threat of
the Coz ombian commander, that pre-
vented "A murderous catastrophe. AT
Panama, when the revolution broke
out, there was no American man of
war and no American troops or sail
ors AT Colon, Commander Hubbard
acted with entire impartiality towards
both sides, preventing any movement,
whether by the Jolombians or the
Panamans. which would tend to pro-
duce bloodshed. On November he
prevented body of the revolutionists
from landing at Colon. Throughout
he behaved in the most creditable
manner.
OF the insinuat:ons which have
been made of completely of this gov
eminent in the revolutionary move
meDt in Panama, he says. They are
as destitute of foundation as of pro-
priety. The only excuse for my men,
tioning them is the fear lest unthink.
ing persons might mistake for acquies
cence the silence of mere self-respect
think proper to say, therefore, that
no one connected with this Govern
ment had any part in preparing. in
citing, or encouraging the late revolu
ton ON the Isthmus of Panama, ant
that, save from the reports of oul
military and naval officers, giver
above, no one connected with THU
Government had any previous knowl
edge of the revolution except such a