New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-03-06

ton That treaty was then submitted 70 Coiom-
bia for approval, but ratification was refused
The crafty politicians then in control of the
Colombian administration thought they per
ceived opportunity to eXtort from the United
States not only the S10O0OO0O which had been
agreed upon IS the price of the canal zone, but
in addition the $40O00.OO0 which this country
had offered TO the Panama Canal Company of
France for its franchise and construction plant.
This was TO be accomplished by postponement
of an agreement with the United States until the
franchise of the French company had expired, at
which time the companys right and title were to
be forfeited to Colombia, and then the entire
100000 would be demanded from the United
States. But the Colombian oligarchy counted
without its host. The adjournment Of its Con-
gress without ratifying the Hay-Herran. treaty
precipitated revolution. Panama had long
suffered every injustice which had been perpe-
trated by George III on the unfortunate Amer
lean colonies; the constitution TO which Panama
had given her consent had been abrogated with
out her consent, and she had been taxed TO the
full extent of her capacity without receiving tbs
slightest return for the funds which she had un-
willingly contributed to the BogCta administra-
ton, a full ten days journey away. The re-
fusal TO ratify the Hay-Herran treaty proved
the last straw, and President Roosevelt, whose
sympathy is always with the weak and the
wronged, and who was compelled to land forces
TO maintain free transit across the isthmus rec
ognized the infant republic, and accepted her
proposition to transfer this country sufficient
of her territory to permit the construction Of
the canal. In vain did the advocates Of the
Nicaraguan route storm. Futile the par
tisan attempt to discredit the action of the
President. The leadership of Senator German
suffered crushing defeat in tie Senate, and on
February %, 1904, after contest lasting nearly
afu
| Senators voted for the Panama convention,
seventeen Democrats adding their votes to this
! handsome ratification of the Presidents policy.
ALASKAN BOUNDARY FINED.
The story of President Roosevets achieve
ments in the realm Of foreign relations is a long
and important one Long had the definition of
the boundary between Alaska and Canada per-
picked the brains of the most astute statesmen
in this country, in Canada and in Great Britain.
In q modified form Of arbitration Mr.. RoOse-
welt found the solution. By the provisions Of a
treaty signed by Secretary Hay and Ambassa-
dor Herbert on January y, 1903 It was deter
mined submit the disputed question TO a
tribunal Of six eminent jurists three to be Sc
! lected by the United States and three by Great
Britain. Secretary Root and Senators Lodge
and Turner We're selected by the President as
members of this tribunal and on October il a
/ decision was reached whereby the United States
was accorded practically all the territory it had
/ claimed and the chief cause of friction with
/ Great Britain and Canada was permanently
eliminated.
/ THE VENEZUELAN INCIDENT.
In January 1903. three great European pow
ers. Great Britain. Germany and Italy, eXas-
( perated beyond measure by the dilatory and
evasive tactics Of the Venezuelan government
J in meeting the just claims of their citizens, sent
fleets to establish peaceful blockade OF Vene-
zuela's ports. and for q time serious infringe
ment of the Monroe Doctrine seemed imminent.
but the diplomacy OF Secretary Hay aad Of Presi-
/ dent Roosevelt conquered the situation. Within
a short time the fleets withdrawn, an
agreement was reached whereby stipulated
portion of Venezuela's customs receipts was
nIedged 10 defray her Indebtedness, and some
/ remaining differences proving too difficult for
/ settlement by diplomatic methods. President
Roosevelt was appealed TO 10 arbitrate the
questions at issue This he declined to do. but
instead urged the powers to resort to The Hague
tribunal whose Permanent Court of Arbitration
never had been utilized by the European ma
tions that established it, His recommendation
was sdopted The Hague court settled all re-
naming differences. and "A great victory for the
principle OF arbitration was effected, involving
a striking demonstration Of the utility OF The
Hague tribunal an object lesson not likely soon
to be forgotten.
THE KISHINEFF PETITION.
An Incident in the foreign policy OF Preslaeh'
Roosevelt perhaps chiefly noteworthy Tor th'
ingenuity displayed and the quiet nunor WHICH
sometimts characteIizes the President meth'
DDS occurred IN The presentation Of The kish
inen pethion The fearful massacre of jews
In Kishineff Russia. which occurred early IL