The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-19

rights in that strip of land which Colom- bia considers as Divine bequest for the innocent use for the American family of States, and finally because the gov ernment of the United States. invoking and putting into practice the right of might has taken from us by bloodless con- quest. but by conquest nevertheless. the most important part of the national ter ritory.
 A Hope for Justice. 'In this crisis of the life of my coun- try, as unlocked for as 1t Is terrible, Colombia rests it's most comforting hopes in the sentiments of justice. which animate the government of your excel lency, and confidently trusts that the government which has 90 many times sur prised the world by it's wisdom, will, on this occasion, astonish 1t by It's example"
 Generals Reyes cites the thirty-fifth article of the treaty of 1916. providing that when either country feels itself offended 1t shall lay before the other a statement of such injury or damages and con cludes:
 Since the aforesaid treaty is the law. which governs between the two countries, I propose that the claims which 1 make in the present note on account of the violation of the aforesaid treaty and all other claims which may hereafter be made in connection with tho events of Panama be submitted to the arbitration tribunal of The Hague"
 Secretary Hay answered this note under date of January 5. He says the govern ment has carefully considered the grave complaints made. and assures General Reyes of eur most friendly sentiments for the government and people of Colombia The questions submitted. he says. can be aA nN ~<.A c.. IL. ed facts, of which one Is that the Republic of Panama has become member of the family of nations.
 The department has read with sur prise." Mir. Hay comments. 'your repe- titlon of gross imputations upon the con- duct and motives of this government which are said to have appeared in repu- table American newspapers
 Necessity for Canal.
 MT. Hay reviews in detail, first, the nc- cessity of a waterway connecting the two ocears. and secondly, all the legislative and diplomatic procedure which has taken place to secure that end.
 Secretary Hay, says the United States had faithfully borne during the long pe- riod since the treaty of 1S4S was com pleted. the full burden of responsibilities. Meanwhile. he continues, ''the great de- sign of the treaty of 1846 remained un- fulfilled and in the end it became ap- parent as has heretofore been shown that 1t could be fulfilled only by the construc- ton of a canal by the United States. by reason of the action of the government at Bogota in repudiating the Hay-Herran convention and of the views and inten- tions disclosed in connection with that repudiation, the government was con- fronted. when the revolution at Panama took place. with the alternative of either abandoning the chief benefit which 1t ex- pected and was intended to derive from the treaty of 1s46 of resortlng to the meas ures, the necessity of which 1t could con template only with regret. By the declaration of independence of the Republic of Panama, a new situation was created. On the one hand stood the Government of Colombia, invoking in the name of the treaty of 1S46 the aid of this Government in its efforts to suppress the revolution; on the other hand stood the Republic of Panama that had come into being in order that the great design of the treaty might not Dc forever frustrated but might be fuinlied. The Isttmus was threatelieti with desolAtlon by another civil war Nor were the rights and iIi- 1 terests of the United States alone at stake. . Whole World Interested. "The interests of the whole civilized world were involved. The Republic of Panama stood for these interests, the Co., lombian Government opposed them. Cohl- pelled to choose between these two alter
 natives the Government of the United States, in no wise responsible for the sit | uation that had arisen. did not hesitate.
 It recognized the Independence of the Re- public of Panama and upon, its Judgment and action in the emergency the powers of the world have set the seal of their | approval" Under all the circumstances. says the Secretary. the Department is unable to regard the complaints of Colombia against this Government as having any valid foundation.