Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1911-11-30
DID, But WHAT OF ~:
IT MAD TO CONE OUT

of discussion. 1t seems to turn upon
this question: could an enemy easier
surprise us and destroy the locks or
gates of the canal IN case of war or
anticipated war with the zone remain
ing an inpassablc jungle as II now is.
or With the lands cultivated and with
good roads through the zone
On the orc hand it is claimed that
the jungle affords shelter to the
enemy; that they might find their way
through singly or in small groups so
as to take our forces guarding the locks
by complete surprise. On the other hand.
it is claimed that an enemy desiring to
attack the locks would like open
country with good roads. so that artil-
lery could be brought into play and
larger number of troops brought to bear
upon our defences than could be done
were the country 10 remain a Jungle
col Goethal believes strongly that the
zone should be continued in It's present
Jungle condition. col Sibert, who stands
next to Col. Goethal and who has had
experience in campaigning in the jungles
of The Philippines IS very strongly Of
the opinion that We should be safer with
the country cleared up and occupied by
American citizens
/ Touching the third point TO wilt. the
form Of government 20 be adopted. it
MAY be said that much depends upon
how we shall settle the second point. If
Col. Goethal's views are adopted, it is
probable that the government should be
largely like that of military post. but
If per contra We decided to open up the
! zone to American settlers, and especially
| ln If m he
such as to build up cities Of commercial
importance Al either or both ends OF
the canal. then it is probable that a
civil rather than milt9ry government
must be provided There are many who
believe tina, the absorption Of the re-
public OF Panama by tho United States
cannot long be delayed.
We are likely to develop some highly
interesting discussions on these lines
this winter and collateral issues are
hkelr to play no inconsiderablc part in
reaching conclusions as 20 what
must lie done at Panama.
should the pending treaties with Eng
land and France looking to universal
peace be ratified and should Ike treaties
be concluded with the other stronger
powers Of the world. the necessities for
ance of 4 large force t, pfotect the canal
would disappear.
| believe all experimental stages have
been passed so far as canal consJruc-
ton is concerned. It is bound to be a
grand success. When completed and for
tifiei it viii have cost our country abou,
four hundred million dollars. AS loyal
Americans having pat our hands ~
the plow We must not look back to in
Iourc whether IT is or is not worth what
1T has cost us No other nation could
have luiit t. ard that 1t will advance
Worldwide commerce and prosperity nc
lore today questions That II Will he
built and opened on time and within the
engineers estimates of cost is now al
assured fact. so let us tune our voice:
for "a grand hurrah' on the first day o
|January, 1915 The American eagle vii
then have n right to scream In voice
that shall be heard around the world
for the greatest problem ever conceive
by man will then have become an &C
: complished fact--a completed work.
J Yours truly,
CARROLL s. PAGE.
! Hyde Park, Vt, Nov. q, 1911.