New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-22
NAP. OF PANAMA AND COSTA RIGA.
Which may he united into a single republic,

Almost as soon as the independence of Panama
was recognized, however. annexation to Costa
Rica was discussed by the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of both countries, and the examna-
ton of the project went far ar that time that
Sefor Calvo. Costa Rican Minister az Washing
ton. sounded this government regarding its atu-
tuda toward the suggested coalition The State
Department however. being without official ad-
vices from Panama on the subject did not COM
NIT. itself
TO GUARD AMERICAN INTERESTS.
It is now assumed that the meeting at Oys-
ter Bay last night st which the Secretary OF
State, ex-Ambassador Choate and Senator Lodge
were present, was called by the President for
the purpose of discussing the report of Consul
General Lee and determining to what extent
and in what manner the interests Of the United
states might be involved by such annexation.
OF course this country is vitality interested in
any change in the government Of Panama, this
fact having been recognized by Panama when
r. accepted the treaty, ceding the canal zone to
tba Tinted States Article % of this treaty de-
clares that no change either in the government
! or in the laws and treaties of the Republic OF
Panama shall, without the consent Of the United
States affect any right of the United States un-
| der the present convention, or under any treaty
! stipulation between the two countries that now
| exists or that may hereafter exist touching the
! matter of this convention
The United States is, therefore. in a position
70 insist on the absolute safeguarding of its
rights and might, If it saw fit, veto the proposed
! annexation Moreover, when the treaty was ne
| gotiated Secretary Hay evidently perceived the
| possibility Of Pana1na's returning in time to
! Colombia or combining its interests and terri
! tory with Costa Riva and that farseeing states
| man caused to be inserted in the convention
| with Panama. also in Article d, the following
| clause:
If the Republic of Panama shall hereafter en-
| ter as a constituent part into any other gov
| ernment into any union or confederation OF
| states so as to merge her sovereignty or lnde-
! pendence in such government, union or conIed-
| GRAFTON, the rights Of the United states under
the convention shall not be in any respect les
! sened or impaired
Minister Calvo said this evening that he was
! sure the Droposal of Panama would be most
| welcome in Costa Rica, and that whatever
| might be the outcome Of the negotiations at
San Jose, Costa Rica. which had always sus-
tanned the most cordial relations with this coun-
! try would, of course. guard the interests or the
! United States in every way.
Should annexation occur" said Sehor Calvo
''the American people need not be assured by
representative of Costa Rica that my country
will do nothing that is harmful to their interests
| Annexation, which is doubtless regarded with
| favor by the people Of both Panama and Costa
| Rca, would be advantageous to both nations
| It would double the territory of Costa Rica, IN
| crease our credit. and assure powerful
| influence in Central America Annexation would
| be most advantageous to Panama, because 1t
| would give to that country the benefit OF our
| experience in government, OF our laws and regu-
| lations affecting hygiene, and would soon result
in the stamping out Of yellow fever and the
| bubonic plague. Panama would further enjoy
| the advantages of our educational system, of
our excellent commercial relations, and of our
advanced ideas generally. The United States
would profit by the amalgamation, because the
canal would then run through a well governed
opd peaceful country. Order and tranquility
ex,s+ in Costa Rica- In all the time that have
rorresanted Costa Rica at Washington, thirteen
,,ears there has not been a single instance Of
o,,,,rIaint because of a denial of justice by
costa R;ca TO a citizen of the United States, or
4o- that matter, of any other country. And yet
tt,ere Is an immense amount OF foreign capital
invested In Costa Plea"
WOULD AVOID A BOUNDARY DISPUTE
rf undoubted influence in determining Pan
80 n omen negotiations with a view to an
,,exa+,on to Costa Rica is the fact that con-
siderable portion OF the citizens of Panama are.
Continued on fourth page