Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1904-01-08
Nothing Else So Important.


"This recognition the President con-
tinues, twas, in the second place, further
justified by the highest considerations of
our national interests and safety. In all
the range of our international relations,
l do not hesitate to affirm that there is
nothing of greater or more pressing I'M
portance than the construction of an inter
oceanic 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
defense In the light of our pres
and 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 ard promptly
attained. Reasons Of convenience have been
superseded by reasons of vital necessity,
which do not admit Of indefinite delays"
But Colombia was going to prevent this
in order to confscate the property OF the
canal company, when the concession should
have expired next year, and then claim the
$40, 009C00 voted by the United states 10
pay for the canal company's property as
well as the compensation to be paid by the
United States fer the privilege of complet-
ing the canal This might have involved
us in war with France, now friendly ma,
ton, and we were justified III employing all
proper means to avoid 1t.
tIuterest, of Collective Civilization"
In the third place." says the President
IT confidently maintain that the recogn1-
ton of the republic of Panama was an act
justified by the interests OF coliectlve CIV ~
i1ization If ever 4 government could De
sGfd to have received mandate from clv-
iIiZ2tion to effect an object the accomplish
lpent of which was demanded III the IN
terest of mankind. the United states Eolus
that position with regard to the inter,
oceanic canal. Since our purpose TO pulid
the canal was definitely announced, there
have come from all quarters assurances o.
onnroyal and encouragement, In Whlch even
Colombia herself at one time participates;
and to general assurances were adQeu spe.
cifc acts and declaration. In order tnaI
no obstacle might stand In our way GrSa.
Rritafn renowned important rights under
fine Clayton Bulwer treaty ana agreed TO lts
ahrogation, receiving in return nothing put
orr honorable pledge to build the canal
and protect it rs an open hlghWay. IT,,
orr position as the mandatory OF CIV
ilization'' is further shown by the prompt
i-1oenition by many powers of the indie
ncujieEce of Panama.
As in Cuba, So in Panama
The President cannot see how ne can pc
CHARGED with o "a gfngr'i In his opinion,
..no disinterested and fair minded observer
Acquainted with the circumstances San IA! !ali
to feel that Panama had the nl ipl0is; Jus
tifco+ion for separation from COLOMBIA un-
dar +he conditions existing, and, moreover,
that its action was in the hlghest uesIee
BENEFICIAL to the interest OF the enIlre CIV
ilized world by secnrl ;1S, tue Of 1t the inter
ppo oo canal" Then the President cites
tbe henefcial results of our. interference
n Cnha, and predicts that similar re .sr,s
viii follow HEe action IN Fanaha a.,,r h me
reonlc of TIE isthmus and as l nrinly pe
I;eye Of the adjacent parts OF Ienlral e any
South America, will be Sreatly pehen. 49,
10 the huilding Of the canal ana the guar
34oa of peace and order along IT'S me,
and hand in hand with the benent 70 tnetn
Iii 90 the benefit to us and 10 man u
~ =. o,7r nrompt and decisive action. not oniy
- orr interests and those or the Worlu
10 ,orge been conserved but we nave Iore-
etaiiad complications which were hkely 10
- fru;t fnl in loss to ourselves ana III
bpfgoodshed md suffering to the people OF
...1nsfead of using our forces, as we Wers
,p,ited by Colombia to do, for the tWoioIu
nurnose of defeating our own rights an NJ IN !,
forests and the interests OF tne cltlinze 81
world and of compelling the SUBMISSIVE "a
thn neople of the isthmus TO those WnoIR
thev regarded as oppressors, we snah, as
~ Suty bound keep the transit open ana
nreyent its invasion ,4h
..Meanwhile." adds the President, WitF
immense significance, the oniy quesIiof
NOW before us is that of the ratification q
| the treaty For 1t is to be rememberec
thet = failure to ratify the treaty will not
i,ndo what has been done, Will not restors
Panama to Colombia, and Will not alteI
onr obligation to keep the transit open
ocross the isthmus, and to prevent any OUT
side mower from menacing this transit