Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-03-14

mote shadow Of possibility that
Germany might provide herself with
naval stations within striking dis
tance of the northern entrance to the
Panama Canal. it is high time for us
To sit up awake. 1t is no time for
pig-headed denials on the strength OF
what we hope.
should Germany attempt what recent
dispatches intimate-to acquire GER
tain harbors or the Atlantic coast of
Colombia-Americans would have the
right to consider il an insolvent def
anee of the Monroe Doctrine
Might we not expect the next sem
sation to be the dropping of the Far
East Yankee on the soil of Mexico?
A Washington dispatch says.
This startling information has leak
ed out since Secretary of State Knox
sailed two weeks ago on his tour of
Central and South America and has
been fully confirmed in well-informed
naval circles. Ii throws light upon
the recent emphatic renewal of pres
sure brought to bear upon our Gov
eminent bv Colombia for a prompt
settlement of its claim for indemnity
now understood to amount to prdcti-
cally S1O0, 600, 000-for the alleged rape
of Panama
According to this information. Co
lombia. with the mailed fist of Ger
many behind her. is now backing up
her demands with the threat that If
our Government does not meet her
views, or at least agree to arbitrate,
Colombia will dispose of these harbors.
either ny lease or by outright sale, to
Germany. thus assuring to the latter
Power not only a base of supplies for
a fleet. but a foothold on American
soil such as has long been coveted and
planned for by tie Kaiser.
AS a matter of fact, there is the
best of reasons for believing that since
the knowledge OF Germany's negotia :
tons with Colombia reached the State
Department and the Navy Depart
ment from their confidential agents
abroad the Administration has
regarded the situation as one of
most serious significance. 1t is
even asserted that the princi-
pal reason for Secretary Knox
trip to enable him in person TO sound
the Colombian Government as to the
possibility of settlement of its claim,
and that whether or not MIR. Knox
actually sets foot on Colombian soil
an opportunity will be found TO talk
the matter over quietly with an au-
thoriZed representative of the BoSota
Government in some quiet spot far re-
moved from the haunts of newspaper
men or interested foreigners.
The appearance of Germany as a
possible supporter of Colombia is re-
garded here as the latest proof of the
Kaiser's willingness to challenge the
Monroe Doctrine. The history of Ger
many's intriguing 10 get a foothold ON
American soil, although 1t has not yet
been written. is, of course. well known
in naval circles here. The best m
formed officers of the navy have long
been convinced that the steady in
crease in the German fleet has been
aimed not at England, and not at
France. but at the United States, ana
that it is not Japan in the Pacific
whom we need to watch most closely,
but Germany in the Atlantic: that it
is with her rapidly increasing battle
ships that we shall eventually have TO
try conclusions.
Unless scares are to be avoided but
idiotic refusal to consider a vital pos
sibility is inexeusable. While the
Democratic lawmakers are yowling
about economy to befog the atmos-
phere as they form a partnership with
the sugar trust, they are also oppos-
ing the o-battleship plan because of
it's expense" At the same time the
Senate opens the other door by emas-
culating the arbitration treaties.