The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1904-01-05

would have been summoned to inter-
pose. in order to give effect to the
guarantees OF the treaty of 1876; 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 matter Of
history.
} That our position as the mandatory
of civilization has been by no means
misconceived is shown by the prompt
tude with which the powers have. one
after another. followed our lead in
recognizing 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 and Norway, Nicaragua, Peru,
China, Cuba, Great Britain. Italy, Costa
Riea, japan and Austria Hungary.
In view of the manifold consider
ations of treaty right and obligation,
of national interest and safety. and of
collective civilization, by which our
government was constrained TO act,
am at loss to comprehend the at.
titude of those who can discern in
the recognition of the Republic OF Pan
anna only a general approval OF the
principle of revolution by which q
given government Is overturned or
one portion of a country separate from
another. Only the ampiest jnstliica-
ton can warrant revolutionary
movement 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 been many revolutionary
movements, many movements for the
ACKNOWLEDGMENT Of countries, which
were evil. tried by any standard. But
in my opinion no DISTINGUISHED and
fairminded observer acquainted with
the circumstances can fail To feel that
Panama had the ampiest Justification
for separation from Colombia under
the conditions existing. and, moreover,
that its action was in the highest de.
gree beneficial TO the interests of the
entire civilized world by securing the
immediate opportunity for the build
ing of the inter-oceaanic canal
Instead Of using our forces. as we
were invited by Colombia to do. for
the twofold purpose of defeating our
own rights and interests and the in
terests OF the civilized world, and Of
compelling the submission Of the peo-
pie Of the Isthmus to those whom they
regarded as onpressors, we shall, as
in duty bound, keep the transit open
and prevent invasion. Meanwhile the
only question now before us IL that
Of the ratification Of the treaty. For
it il To be remembered that failure
to ratify the treaty will not undo what
has been done. will not restore Pana
ma to Colombia, and will not alter our
obligation to keep the transit open
across the Isthmus, and to prevent
any outside power from menacing this
transit
In conclusion let me repeat that
the question actually before this gov
eminent is not that of the recognition
Of Panama as an Independent republic.
That Is already an accomplished fact.
The question, and the only question,
Is whether or not we shall build an
lsthman canal
| transmit herewith copies OF the
latest notes from the minister of the
Republic of Panama to this govern
ment, and of certain notes which
have passed between the special en-
voy of the Republic OF Panama and
this government.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
White House, Jan. 4. 1904