Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1913-03-02
Secretary Knox Details Long
and Unsatisfactory Effort to
PIacate Little Latin-Ameri-
can Republic,
PANAMA CANAL CAUSE
OF BITTER FEELING
Offended Government Prefers
to Argue Its Cause When
Democratic Administration
Is in Power,

NNlllVNi aiN NNllUllouQllV
Is In Power,
~, Morning journal special Leased Mire)
Washington, March lin spe-
cial message reviewing the controver-
sy with Colombia over the separation
of Panama President Taft today
transmitted To the senate a report By
Secretary Knox which declared that
Colomhia's nat rejection OF prelimi-
nary settlement proposals by the
United states had closed .he door TO
any further oNertures on the part OF
the United states.
The report suggested that hope
prevalent in Colombia that the in
coming democratic administration
would agree to settlement on more
liberal terms. WAS responsible for
Colonhias attitude al this time
American Minister Dubois learned
unofficinllX that this hope existed.
and that the Colombian government
desired to treat with the new admin
istration,
Secretary Knox stated IN hla report
that the efforts of the state depart
mcnt TO replace the relations Of the
two countries IN a state of cordial
friendship and mutual confidence was
inspired hy THE presidents conviction
! that To do 50. ~ far as consistent with
the dignity and honor of the United
States and with the principles of ius-
ticc. Was plain duty. He pointed out,
however that as the subject Of arb-
tration WIS now being urged by Co
iumbia. Il seemed obvious that NO
terms of arbltral submission could be
entertained when nisht c,tii IN dues-
tlon the right of Panama TO exist as
sovereign state.
supporting this view, nc quoted
from Secretary Hay deciination to
turn 10 Tie llaRur tribunal because
the questions presented IN the Col0m-
bans statement Of grievances. were
of political nature and not within
the domain of judicial decision. The
report criticised the Columbian gov
eminent for repeated failures 70 carry
NWN ilH NnkNktltfiltH WAAAHh tffN Ht4
of the negotiations and asserted that
the lluy-tlefrau treaty Of 1903 failed
because the Colombian president by
an umazing departure from the pracs
iice Of nations. declined to recon-
mend for approval a treaty signed un=
der the explicit direction Of his pre-
decessor. Hc charged that the neR04
81. .f uttfta
those framed by secretary Root for
the adjustment of all questions be-
tween the three countries actually
were proposed by the government of
Colombia itself. which now had rcfus-
ed to give them effect.
reference Is made to the very in-
consistent revcrsion Of the Colombian
representatives TO attempt to create
false issues. followed on one occasion
br the virtual recall Of one Of the
plenpotentinrlcs. The secretary ad-
mitted that colombia has suffered by
her failure to reap her share Of the
benefits Of the canal, saying this was
thc explanation Of the endeavor OF
the United States to accommodate
The conflicting interests OF the three
parties by the conventional fixation
Of Just measure of compensation,
IN money or In material equivalence.
The course Of the United states. hes
added was marked by kindly for
bearaneo and equitable generosity
Secretary KnoN touched upon the
Ospina incident when on the eve OF
his departure en- a mission OF good
will to the republics of the Caribbean.
a personal inumatlon OF the pleasure
II would afford him 10 include Eolom~
bia in his Itinerary was met by tho
assertion that such a visit would DO
"lnopportunc'
Turning no the latest Colombian rea
quest for an arbitration under the
terms uf the old treaty of 1916. where
br the United states guaranteed th8
neutrality of the iathmus Ia consider
alton Of enjoying the right OF FREQ
transit. the secretary held that de-
eison on that point would revive tho
old charges. which, as has been point
ed out were not subject to arbitra-
hOn Referring to the last phases of
die negotiations as conducted by
American Minister Du Bois, II was
stated that program was evolved I'M
tended to demonstrate the sincere de-
sire of the United states 20 ailay once
for an the III feeling existing IN co..
lombia Rut because previous adjust
ments had been shattered twice by the
failure of their final acceptance, at
Bogota. the report said, X was felt
that any fresh form Of proposals shalt
emanate from the Colombian governs
ment.
Therefore the minister was author
lied simply to make known through
informal and confidential conversa-
tlons certain basis, which II reduced
10 the form OF proposals made to the
United states by the government OF
Colombia. would receive sympathetic
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