Evening star., 1913-03-02

Iof the payment to that government of
$10.GOO,GOU for two coaling stations and
exclusive canal rights, and declares that
the government of Colombia would ap-
pear to have closed the door to any fur
ther overtures on the part of the United
States
Substance of Knox Report.
In beginning his report, Secretary Knox
states that the efforts of the State De-
partment to replace the relations of the
two countries in a state OF cordial friend
ship and mutual confidence was inspired
by the Presidents conviction that to do
so. far as consistent with the dignity
and honor of the United States and with
the principles of justice, was a plain duty.
But as the subject of arbitration is now
being urged by Colombia. it seems OBJ
vious that no terms of arbtral submis-
sion could be entertained which might
call in question the right of Panama to
exist as a sovereign state.
Supporting this view, he quotes from
Secretary Hay in declination to turn to
The Hague tribunal because the ques-
tions presented in the Colombian state
ment of grievances are of political ma
ture and not within the domain of a ju-
dicial decision. He also recalls Mr.. Hays s
Indignation at the aspersiOn cast upon the
honor and good faith Of the United States
in the Colombian charge that our govern
or melting the Panaman revolution, which
charge. as touching the honor of the
United States, could not be considered as
of a nature to be arbitrated.
Secretary Knox criticises the repeated
failures of the Colombian government to
carry out it's engagements during the
course of the negotiations, and asserts
that the Hay-Heran treaty of 1903 failed
because the Colombian president, by an
amazing departure from the practice of
q fn md fnr m
proval a treaty signed under the explicit
direction Of his predecessor.
Rejects Own Proposition.
Also he charges that the negotiations of
the subsequent treaties-those framed by
Secretary Root. for the adjustment of
all questions between the three cOun-
tries-actually We're proposed by the gov
ernment Of Colombia herself, which now
has refused to give them effect. Refer
ence is made to the very inconsistent
reversion of the Colombian representa-
tives to attempt to create false issues,
followed on one occasion by the virtual
recall of one of the plenipotentiaries.
Secretary Knox admits that Colombia
has suffered by her failure to reap her
share of the benefits of the canal, which,
in fact, was the explanation of the en-
deavor of the United States ito ac-
the three parties by the conventional
fixing of a just measure of cOmpensa-
ton. in money or in material equiva-
lence,' the course of the United States
being marked by kindly forbearance and
equitable generosity.
Secretary Knox touches with some feel
ing upon the Osrina incident when, on
the eve Of his departure on a mission OF
good will and earnest amity toward the
republics of the Caribbean a kindly per-
sonal intimation of the pleasure it would
afford him to include Colombia in his
itinerary was met by the assertion that
such visit would be 'inopportune.' with
accusations and arguments tending to
impugn the honor and good faith of the
United States
for an arbitration under the terms of the
old treaty of 1916. whereby the United
States guaranteed the neutrality of the
isthmus in consideration of enjoying the
right of free transit. the Secretary holds
that a decision on that point would re-
yive the old charges which as has been
pointed out were not subject to arbitra-
tion.
Latest Phase of Negotiations.
Coming down to the phases of the
as conducted by American
Minister Dubois, it is stated that a pro-
gram was evolved for this government
intended to demonstrate the sincere de-
sire Of the United States to allay once
for all the ill-feeling existing in Colombia
But because previous adjustments had
been twice shattered by the failure of