davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
CHAPTER Ill.


"Dr. ElfenStein," said Mr.. Gray, my
client and friend, Mr.. Leon Rappelye.
is. as you see. extremely ILL., Our friend
is lonely man, having no relatives liv-
ing to whom he wishes to leave his large
fortune. He has dictated his hast will
and testament, and as he desires to sign
it before he may be unable to do SO. it
was necessary for him to see you per-
sonally, previous TO placing his name to
the document, in which. may add, you
are deeply interested"
Earle ElfenStein started as he heard
these words, and looked from the lawyer
to the invalid beside him.
You are surprised. naturally" again
resumed Mr.. Gray, "and probably won
der what Mr.. Rappelye knows of you.
| will explain this at once. Your father
was George Elfenstein, well-known
banker; in years gone by he did Mr..
Happelye never o-be-forgotten service
His arrival In this country was follow
ed by a long and dangerous illness, when
he lay alone among strangers, almost
neglected. and he attended TO his wants
like brother. until he was entirely con
yalescent. They met often afterward
and then lost sight of each other. Years
of silence passed, when accidentally he
learned about three months since that
his benefactor was dead, and his only
son was a struggling physician in New
York. He has heard of your fearless
conscientious manner of meeting your en-
gagements, and this was a characteristic
he particularly wished to find In some
young friend. When. therefore. hil
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

Precautionary measure: Mrs. new
ed Ia bride Of six weeks)-And how
long will you be away. dearestf Mr..
Newed-AbOut ten days. Mrs. Viewed
Well. think I'll learn to cook while
you are absent. Mr.. Newed-Thats 4
good Idea. And I'll take the dog over
and leave him with one Of the neigh
bors.-Ex.
Nellie (sympathetically)-You poor
dear! What a narrow escape! And
what started the horse? Gert1e dndig-
nantly)-Well-you know. Will was
just helping me out Of the trap. and
the stupid horse could not tell the diff
ference between a-good-night-kiss
and signal to start. And he-start-
ed. Some horses have so little
sense"
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
An Americanislrl.

It takes two to make bargain. but
sometimes one finds bargain so thor
oughly bad that II is hard to believe
two people combined their Intelligence
In uaking it.--BaltimOre American
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
A Heavy Claim.

81 see that Boston claims she'll have
a population of "a, 1885, 1884 in 21O4."
"Fifty-four million what?"
what? Why men. women and chit
dren."
"Oh, l thought you meant beans"
Cleveland Plain Dealer.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
Very Odd.

Jinks-Remarkable thing In the pa
per this morning an account Of an
American citizen who has been i'll.
treated by foreign government.
Winks-What's remarkable about
it?
Jinks--He has a name | can pro-
nOunce.-New York Weekly.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

Great minds must be ready not only
to take opportunities. but to max,
them.-Colton.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
Salt Lake Note.

Deacon Melick moved yesterday to
his new twelve-story residence in Sa.
line avenue. The family was an houf
and ten minutes passing the postoffice
Newark News.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
Up to Date.

winning the euchre trophy was
er, wasn't it?"
Yes; quite bird in her hat"-New
Orleans Times Democrat.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

When a girl angles In the matrimo-
NAL sea she is apt to catch sucker
instead Of a goldfish.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

Winkie-I have been over In En-
gland visiting the nobility, Van Anter
What did you think of our Ameri'
can girls?
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25
Minerals In Montana.

Montana has produced in copper
$3.50, 100000; IN silver, 1857 900, OOci In
gold. s2s2,OO0,OOO.
The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1904-06-25

The street is full of humiliations to
the proud.-Emerson.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
The Executive Lays Before Congress a
Statement of His Action for the Construc-
ton of a Canal Connecting the Atlantic
and Pacific Oceans---Control of the Nee
essary Territory Obtained Legislative
Enactment Fully Complied With

In a special message to the Senate and
House of Representatives the President
lays before Congress for its information
% statement of his action no to this
time in executing the act entitled An
act to provide for the construction OF a
canal connecting the waters OF the At
lantic and Pacific oceans approved
June 2s, 1902.
The provisions OF the act are summar.
lied in the message. by which the Elk
ecutive was authorized to secure for
the United States the property OF the
Panama Canal Company and the per
petual control of a strip six miles wide
across the Isthmus of Panama: and, in
the event that he should be unable TO
obtain satisfactory title TO the property
and territory within a reasonable time
and upon reasonable terms, empowering
him to endeavor to provide for a canal
by the Nicaraguan route.
The message continues:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Propriety of Attitude
The message continues:

L
This plain official account of the oc-
currences Of November shows that.
instead of there having been too much
provision by the America Government
for the maintenance of order and the
protection OF life and property on the
isthmus. the orders for the movement
of the American warships had been
too long delayed; so long. in fact that
there were but forty-two marines and
sailors available 20 land and protect the
lives of American men and women. II
was only the GOODNESS and gallantry
which this little band Of men wearing
the American uniform faced ten times
their number OF armed foes. bent on
carrying out the atrocious threat OF the
Colombian commander. that prevented
a murderous catastrophe.
At Panama. when the revolution
broke out. there was no American man
ofwar and no American troops or sail
ors. AT Colon. Commander Hubbard
acted with entire impartiality toward
both sides. DreRnting any movement,
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Unrest in Panama

A third possibility was that the pco-
pie OF the isthmus. who had formerly
constituted an Independent state. and
who until recently were united TO Co
lombia only by a loose tie OF federal
relationship. might take the protection
of their own vital interests into their
own hands, reassert their former rights.
declare their independence upon Just
grounds, and establish a government
competent and willing to do its share
in this great work for civilization. This
third possibility is what actually oc-
CURED.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Panama Route Fixed

Third Finally the Congress definitely
settled where the canal was 70 be built. II
was provided that a treaty should be
made for building the canal across the
Isthmus OF Panama: and IL. after reason
able time, II proved impossible 70 secure
such treaty. that then we should go to
Nicaragua. The treaty has been made;
for it needs no argument to show that
the intent of the Congress was to insure
a canal across Panama. and that
whether the republic granting the title
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Hay-Herran Treaty

When this Government submitted TO
Colombia the Hay-Herran treaty three
things were. therefore. already settled.
One was that the canal should be built.
The time for delay, the time for permit
ting the attempt 20 be made by pri-
vate enterprise. the time for permit
ting any government OF anti-social spir-
IL and OF imperfect development TO bar
the work was past The United States
had assumed. in connection with the
canal, certain responsibilities. not only
to it's own rpeople. but TO the civilized
world. which imperatively demanded
that there should no longer be delay
in beginning the work
SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY.
Second While It was settled that the
canal should be built without unnec-
essary or improper delay. IL was no
less clearly shown to be our purpose
10 deal not merely in a spirit OF JUS
tice. but in spirit Of generosity. with
the people through whose land we
might build H. The Hay-Rerran treaty
II IL erred at all. erred in the direction
Of an Over-generosity toward the CO.
lOmbian government In our anxiety 70
be fair we had gone to the very verge
in yielding 20 q weak nations demands
what that nation was helplessly unable
TO enforce from us against our will.
The only criticisms made upon the
Administration for the terms OF the
Hay-Herran treaty were for having
granted too much TO Colombia, not for
failure TO grant enough. Neither I'm the
Congress nor in the public press. at the
time this treaty was formulated was
there complaint that it did not in the
fullest and amplest manner guarantee
to Colombia everything she could by
any color OF title demand.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Our Duty 10 Civilization.

If ever government could be said to have re-
ceived a mandate from civilization TO effect object
the accomplishment of which is demanded in the in
terests of mankind the United States holds that pc
sion with regard to the interoceanc canal
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Ratification the OnIv Question.

The only question before is that of the
ratification of the treaty. For is to be remembered
that failure 10 1atify will not undo what has been
done, will not restore Panama to Colorndia and will
not alter our obligation to keep The transit open
the sthnsus and to prevent any outside power
from menacing this transit
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Nicaragua Route Dead.

This control (of isthmian territory has now
been obtained; the provision of the act has been com
piled with; it is no longer possible under existing
legislation to go to the Nicaragua route atena
tive.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
Colombian perfdY.

Colombia proposed to wait until, by the
enforcement Of forfeiture repugnant to the ideas of
justice which obtain in every civilized naion- the
property and rights of the new Panama Canal Com
pany should be ccnfscated.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
TOFOrCc The issue.

My intention to consult Congress to
whether il would not be proper to announce
that the canal would be dug forthwith that would
give the terms we had offered and none Others .
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
OVerqenerOuS TO Colombia.

In anxiety to be fair we had gone to the very
verge in yielding to weak nations demands what
that nation heplessly unable to enforce from us
against our will
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04

was called New Granada, Colombia, or
Panama mattered not one whit.
As events turned out. the question OF
reasonable time" did not enter into
the matter at all. Although. as the
months went by, it became Increasingly
improbable that the Colombian con-
gress would ratify 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 October; and with
In three days thereafter the revolution
in Panama had broken out. Panama
became an independent state. and the
control Of the territory necessary for
building the canal then became obtain
able
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
IInpOrt0nCe oil the CondI.

In all the range of national relations | do
hesitate affirm that there is nothing of greater
more pressing Importance than the construction of
on nteroceanie caral.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04

policy was exhibited in the orders. Civ
en- under somewhat similar circum-
stances last year and the year before
and the year before that.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
His Task Accomplished

The language quoted defines with ex-
actness and precision what was to be
done. and what as a matter of fact has
been done. The President was author
lied to go to the Nicara qua route only
IL within a reasonable time he could
not obtain control Of the necessary
territory Of the Republic of Colombia. q"
This control has now been obtained; the
provision of the act has been complied
with: it is no longer possible under ex-
listing legislation to go to the Nicaragua
route as an alternative.
This act marked the climax of the af-
fort on the part of the United States
TO secure. so far as legislation was con-
cerned. an interoceanic canal across the
isthmus. The effort to secure q treaty
for this purpose with one Of the Cen
trail American republics did not stand
on the same footing with the effort to
secure a treaty under any ordinary con-
ditions. The proper position Tor the
United States TO assume in reference TO
tliis canal. and therefore to the govern
ments of the isthmus. had been clearly
set forth by Secretary Cass in 1888.
The President quotes the opinion OF
Mr.. Cass. enunciating the opinion that
the Central America States should MOI
be permitted Ito close the gates of in
tercourse on the great highways of the
WORLD
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
REVOLT PEACEFULLY EFFECTED.

Immediately afterward he sent an
other dispatch, which was received at
$50 D. m, saying that the uprising had
occurred, and had been successful. with
no bloodshed. The Colombian gunbOat
Bogota next day began to shell the city
of Panama. with the result of killing
one Chinaman- The consul general was
directed 10 notify her TO stop firing.
Meanwhile, on November 4. Commander
Hubbard notified the department that
he had landed a force to protect the
lives and property OF American citizens
against the threats of the Colombian
soldiery.
Before any step whatever had been
taken by the United States troops to
restore order, the commander of the
newly landed Colombian troops had in
dulged in wanton and violent threats
against American citizens, which Gre
ated serious apprehension. AS Com
mander Hubbard reported i'm his letter
Of November 3. this officer and his
troops practically began war against
the United States. and only the for
bearance and GOODNESS of our officers
and men prevented bleodshed.
AN ACT OF WAR.
The letter of Commander Hubbard is
. VI SuCd interest Indt IL deserves quota
( ton i'm full, and runs as follows:
Sir; Pending complete report of the
occurrences of the last three days in
| Colon, Colombia. most respectfully in
vite the department attention TO those
of the date of Wednesday. November
4, which amounted TO practically the
making of war against the United
States by the officer in command of the
Colombian troops in Colon.
At l o'clock y. m. on that date / was
summoned on shore by a preconcerted
signal and on landing met the United
States consul, vice consul, and Colonel
Shaler. the general superintendent Of
the Panama Railroad. The consul in
formed me that he had received notice
from the officer commanding the Co
lombian troops. Colonel Torres. through
the project of Colon, TO the effect that
II the Colombian officers. Generals Tobal
and Amaya. who had been seized IN
Panama on the evening of November .
by the independents and held as pris-
oners. were not released by , o'clock
p. m, he. Torres would open fire on
the town of Colon and kin every United
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
No Completely in Revolt

| hesitate to refer TO the injurious in
situations sshieh, have been made OF
completely by this Government in the
revolutionary movement in Panama
They are as destitute Of foundation as
of propriety. The only excuse for my
mentioning them is the fear lest IN
thinking persons might mistake for ac-
ouiescence the silence OF mere self-re-
soect.
I think proper to say. therefore, that
no one connected with this Government
had any part in preparing. melting, or
encouraging the late revolution on the
Isthmus of Parma. and that save from
the reports of our military and naval
officers. given above. no one connected
with this Government had any previous
knowledge of the revolution except such
as was accessible to any person OF or
binary intelligence who read the news
papers and kent 10 a current acquaint-
ance with public affairs
BY the unanimous action of it's people,
without the firing of a shOt-with a
unanimity hardly before recorded in any
similar case-the people of Panama de-
clared themselves an independent re-
public. Their recognition by this Gov
eminent was based upon state OF
facts Is no way dependent for its jus
tiAcation upon our action in ordinary
cases.
RECOGNITION JUSTIFIED.
I have not denied. nor do I wish 70
deny. either the validity or the pro-
priety Of TIE general rule that a new
state should not be recognized as in
dependent till IL has shown its ability
to maintain its independence. This rule
Is derived from the principle of nonin-
PREVENTION. and as a corollary Of that
principle has generally been observed
by the United States. But. like the
principle from which IL is deduced. the
rule is subject TO exceptions; and there
are in my opinion clear and Imperative
reasons why a departure from il was
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
No Part in the Revolution.

Noone connected with this Government
had any part IN preparing, melting, eneour-
aging the late revolution of the Isthmus of
Panama; one had any previous knowl-
edge of the revolution except such as accessible
to any person who read the newspapers.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04

No Longer Possible, Under Existing Legs
Iation, to Go to the Nicaragua Route as
an ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Responsible for
the Failure of the Hay-Heran Treaty.
Part Played by the United States in the
Revolution of Panama.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO BUILD.


The principle thus euunciated by Sec
rotary Cass aslspund then. and it is
sound now The United States has
taken the position that no. other gov
eminent is TO build the canal In 1889,
when France proposed to come to the
aid of the French Panama Company
by guaranteeing their bonds. the Sen
ate OF the United States in executive
session. with only three votes dissent
ing. passed a resolution as follows:
THAT the Government Of the United
States will look with serious concern
and disapproval upon any connection
of any European government with the
construction or control Of any ship
canal across the Isthmus Of Darien or
across Central America. and must re-
gard any such connection or control
as Injurious to the just rights and in
terests Of the United States and as
menace to their welfare"
RESPONSIBILITY RECOGNIZED.
Under the Hay-Pauncefote treaty il
was explicitly provided that the United
States should control. police, and pro-
tect the canal which was TO be built
keeping II open for vessels of all ma
tons on equal terms. The United States
thus assumed the position of guarantoI
or the canal. ana OF It's peacefui use d
all the world The guaranty included
as a matter OF course the building Of
the canal
The enterprise was recognized as re
spending to an International need; an,
il would be the vefiest travesty 81
right and justice to treat the govern
ments in possession of the isthmus a
having the right. in the language Of Mr.
Cass. "to close the gates OF intercours
on the great highways of the world
and Justify the act by the pretensior
that these avenues of trade and trave
belong to them and that they choos'
to shut them"
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
A CANAL WITH OR WITHOUT A
TREATY.

II was the opinion Of eminent inter
national jurists that i'm view Of the fact
that the great design of our guarantee
under the treaty OF 1916 was to dedi-
cate the isthmus TO the purposes Of in
teroceanic transit. and above all to Sc
cure the construction Of an interoceaaic
canal. Colombia could not under exist
ing conditions refuse 20 enter into a
proper arrangement with the United
States to that end. without violating
the spirit and substantially repudiat-
ing the obligations OF a treaty the full
benefits Of which she had enjoyed for
over fifty years.
My intention was TO consult the Con
gress as TO whether under such cir
cumstances IL would not be proper TO
announce that the canal was to be dug
forthwith; that we would give the
terms that we had offered and no 9th
ers; and that if such terms were not
agreed TO we would enter into an agree
ment with Panama direct, or take what
other steps were needful I'm order TO
begin the enterprise.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
CANNOT GO TO NICARAGUA.

The condition undeJ which alone we
could have gone to Nicaragua thereby
became impossible Of fulfillment. If the
pending treaty with Panama should not
be ratified by the Senate this would not
alter the fact that we could not go to
Nicaragua. The Congress has decided
the route. and there is no alterna tive
under existing legislation
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
COLOMBIA WARNED.

When in August II began TO appear
probable that the Colombian legislature
would not ratify the treaty it became
incumbent upon me 10 consider well
what the situation was and to be ready
to advise the Congress as TO what were
the various alternatives of action open
TO US There were several possibilities.
One was that Colombia would at the
last moment see the unwisdom of her
position.
That there might be nothing omitted.
Secretary Hay. through the minister at
Bogota, repeatedly warned Colombia
that grave consequences might follow
from her rejection Of the treaty. Al
though il was a constantly diminishing
chance, yet the possibility OF ratihca-
ton did not wholly pass away until the
close Of the session Of the Colombian
congress.
A second alternative was that by the
close Of the session on the last day OF
October, without the ratification of the
| treaty by Colombia and without any
/ steps taken by Panama. the American
! Congress on assembling early in No.
vember would be confronted with a sit.
uation in which there had been fail
ure 10 come TO terms as to building tn,
/ canal along the Panama route. and We
! there had not been a lapse OF a reason
/ able time-using the word reasonable il
! any proper sense-such as would Jus.
| tify the Administration going to tn,
1 Nicaragua route. This situation SCENE,
| on the whole the most likely and as Z
/ matter Of fact ] had made the origina
/ draft Of my message to the Congress
| with view TO it's existence.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-01-04
SOME IMPRESSIVE UTTERANCES
IN THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
The prOpriety Of Recognition.

have nos denied nor do i wish to deny, either
the validity or the proprety of the general rule that
a new State should not be recognized independent
tall 1t has shown It's ability to maintain Its independ
ence But ike the principle from which 1t
is deduced, the rule is subject to exceptions, and
there are IN my opinion clear and imperative rea-
sons why departure from it was justified and even
required i'll the present instance