The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-01-08

construction OF the canal was Co be
relegated to the indefinite future.
while Colombo was. by reason OF her
own delay. to be placed In the more
advantageous position Of claiming
not merely the compensation TO be
paid by the United States for the
privilege OF completing the canal. but
also the forty millions authorized by
the act OF 1909 TO be paid for the
property Of the New Panama Canal
Company. That the attempt to carry
out this scheme would n brought
Colombia into conflict with the Gov
eminent of France can not be doubt
ed; nor could the United States have
counted upon immunity from the con-
sequences 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 danger to Colombia. this Govern
ment would nave been summoned TO
interpose, in order to give effect to
the guarantees Of the treaty Of 1886.
and all this In support Of a plan
which. while characterized in its first
stage by. the wanton disregard Of our
own highest interests. was fifty to end
in further injury TO the citizens OF a
friendly nation. whose enormous losses
in their generous efforts to pierce the
Isthmus have become a matter Of his
tory.
In the third place. 1 confidently
maintain that the recognition OF the
Republic OF Panama was an act jusIf-
fed by the interest OF collective civif-
Zation- II ever a government could
be said to have received a mandate
from civilization to effect an object
the accomplishment OF which was de-
manded in the interest OF mankind. the
IA
regard to the interoceanic canal.
Since our purpose to build the cana
was definitely annocnced, there have
come from all quarters OF
approval and encouragement, in which
Colombia herself at one time par
ticipated; and to general assurances
were added specific acts and declare
tions. In order that no obstacle might
stand in our way. Great Britain re-
nounced important rights under tn.
Clayton-Bulwer treaty and agreed 10
its a~brogation, receiving in return
nothing but our honorable pledge to
build the canal and protect il as AZ
highway. 1t was in view OF this
pledge, and OF the proposed enactmen.
by the congress of the United States of
legislation to give it immediate eff >ct.
ference. at the City OF Mexico, OH
January %, 1902. adopted the following
resolution:
The Republics assembled at the In
ternational Conference Of Mexico ap-
plaud the purpose Of the United States
Government to construct an inter
oceanic canal. and acknowledge, that
this work will not only be worthy of
the greatness Of the American people
but also in the highest sense a work
of civilization. and to the greatest de-
gree beneficial to the development of
commerce between the American states
and the other countries OF the world -
Among those who signed this resOlu-
ton on behalf of their respective gov
was General Reyes, the dele
gate Of Columbia. Little could it have
been foreseen that two years later the
Colombian Government, led astray by
false alurements of selfish advantage
and forgetful alike of it's internati ,nal
obligations and of the duties and re-
Sponsibilities of sovereignty, would
the efforts of the United States
to enter upon and complete a work
which the nations of America, reech-
DING the sentiment Of the nations of
Europe. had pronounced to be not only
worthy Of the greatness of the Amer
lean people," but also lin the highest
sense a work of civilization"
That u position as the mandatory
of civilization has been by no meals
misconceived is shown by the prompt
tude with which the powers have, one
after another. followed our lead in re-
cognizing Panama as an Independent
State. Our action in recognizing the
new Republic has been followed by
like recognition on the part Of France,
Germany. Denmark, Russia. Sweden
n Norway. Nicaragua, Peru, China
Cuba. Great Britain, Italy, Costa Rica.
Japan and Austria-Hungary.
In view Of the manifold considera-
tions of treaty right and obligation. Of
interest and safety. and Of
collective civilization. ny which our
am at a loss to comprehend the atti-
tude Of those who can discern N the
recognition of the Republic of Panama
only q general approval of the princi-
pie of revolution" by which 4 given
government is overturned or one por-
ton OF a country separated from an.
other. Only the amplest Justification
can warrant a revolutionary move
ment Of either kind. But there Is no
fixed rule which can be applied to all
such movements. Each case must be-
judged on its own merits. There have
many revolutionary movements
many movements for the dismember-l
ment of countries, which were evil.
by any standard. But In my op-l
in1on no disinterested n fair-mindedl
observer acquainted with the circum-I
car fail to feel hat Panama.
had the amplest justification for sep. ]
from Colombia under the con-'
existing. and. moreover, that
its action was in the highest degTee
beneficial to the interest Of the entirai
world by securing the immed-
late opportunity for h building Of the
canal. 1t would be we'll
for those who are pessimistic as to our
in peacefully recognizing the
Republic OF Panama. while we lawfully
the transit from invasion and
to recall what las bsenI
done in Cuba. where we INTERVIEWED
even by force on general grounds of
interest and duty When We
lnterferred 1t was freely protested that
intended to keep Cuba and admin
it for our own interests. The result
has demonstrated IL ~singularly conclu-i
sive fashion the falsity of these prophe-i
cies. Cuba is now an Independent repub-I
l.o wv q - 80. l