Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-22
UNION IS PROPOSED
Panama and Costa RIGA May
i. Become Union.
ADVANTAGE TO BOTH
THEIR REPRESENTATIVES HERE
IGNORANT OF THE PROJECT.
Consul General Lee Reports the Inten-
(, tion-Conference on the Matter
-. at Sycamore Hill.
ADVANTAGE TO BOTH

There Is reason for the statement that
the president of the new republic of Pan
anna has decided to open negotiations with
the president OF Costa Rica for a union Of
the two governments for mutual benefit
and protection. 1t is. however exceedingly
dincult to obtain official Information on
the subject The belief obtains that 1t
was the intention of the parties In interest
to. keep the matter from the public until
the negotiations had reached a stage in
surfing complete success.
Report From Consul General Lee.
Although not admitted at the State De-
partment. 1t Is said that 1t has received
definite Information of the proposed an
nexation Of Panama to Costa RIGA from
Mr.. Lee. the newly appointed minister of
Ecuador. and until recently United States
consul general at Panama It Is said that
ne mas reported that Senior de la Guardia.
Fanaman minister OF foreign affairs is
about to visit San Jose. capital of Costa
hica, Tor the purpose Of negotiating a
treaty OF annexation with Costa Rica That
report Is said to have been one of the
subjects of consideration by the President
and Secretary Root at their meeting at
oyster Bay yesterday. at which Senator
were present. but 1t is impossible to OBJ
tain here an official admission to that
effect.
Conserving American Interests.
Owing to its close relations with Panama
the United States government Is naturally
deeply interested In its welfare, and the
proposed construction OF the Panama canal
makes 1t highly important that the large
interests of the United States should be
fully conserved in any action taken by the
republic OF Panama. 1t Is contended that
the United States Is in an excellent posi-
ton to insist on the absolute safeguarding
OF Its rights on the isthmus. and might. il
deemed proper, prevent the proposed an
nexation of Panama with Costa Rica. This
protection Is said to be embodied in the
provisions OF the treaty with Panama.
Article "a Of that treaty. which Is believed
to cover a question like that now under
consideration, contains a clause as follows:
IF the Republic of Panama shall here
after enter constituent part into any
other government or into any union or con-
federation OF states. so as to merge her
sovereignty or independence in such gov
eminent, union or confederation, the rights
Of the United States under the convention
shall not be In any respect lessened or I'm
paired"
1t Is recognized by all that the United
States is vitality interested in any change in
the government of Panama. That fact was
recognized by the new government when it
accepted the treaty ceding the canal zone
to the United States. Article "a Of the
treaty declares that mo 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 under the pres
ent convention, or under any treaty stipu-
lation between the two countries that now
exists or that may hereafter exist touching
the matter of this convention"
Minister Calvo's Statement.
Senior Calvo. the Costa Rican minister to
the United States. declared emphatically
TOD hot hn hod pato IN,
formation from his government about
likely union of Costa Rica and Panama.
Should annexation occur said he, 1.-The
American people need not be assured by a
representative of Costa Rica that my coun-
try will do nothing that is harmful to their
interests. Annexation. which is doubtless
regarded with favor by the people Of both
Panama and Costa Rica, would be advan-
tageous to both nations. 1t would double
the territory of Costa Rica. increase our
credit and assure to us 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 regulations affecting hygiene. and
would soon result in the stamping out of
yellow fever and the bubonic plague. Pan
anna 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-gov-
erned and peaceful country. Order and
tranquility exist in Costa Rica. In all the
time that have represented Costa Rica at
Washington. thirteen years, there has not
been single instance Of complaint because
of denial of justice by Costa Rica to a
citizen OF the United States, or, for that
matter, OF any other country. And yet
there Is an immense amount of foreign cap
ital invested In Costa Rica.
Panama Minister'S View.
Senior Oba1dia. the Panaman minister,
and Senior Arosemena. secretary Of the le-
cation. are both in New York Senior
Arosemena. when seen in that city last even
ing, said that he had heard nothing of
the project, and doubted the report, be-
lieving 1t at least premature. while the
ed. Il cannot see how Panama could bene-
fit by political amalgamation with her sis
ter republic. Costa Rica Is undoubtedly a
country Of great resources, but we are yet
a young nation. We happy and our
prospects are good
Area Of the Two Countries.
The area Of Panama Is 81. $50 square miles.
that Of Costa RIGA $1,000 square miles, and
the proposed greater republic would thus
have total area Of $3.50 square miles.
The population of Panama is 100000 and
that OF Costa Riea 100000, so that the two
combined would have a population of 7OO-
600. Panama has great natural resources
which are in no way developed, and 1t is
reasonable to presume that with annexation
she would enjoy period Of prosperity such
a he haQ l-ro