Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-07-31
BRYAN STANDS BY
COLOMBIAN PACT
Secretary Issues Statement in
Which Name of Roosevelt
Is Not Mentioned.

Washington, D. C. July 31.-,A sec.
ond formal statement in defense OF the
proposed Colombian treaty was issued
last night by Secretary Bryan. With
out mentioning Colonel Roosevelt. Mr..
Bryan replied to arguments advanced
by the former president in his attacks
upon the administrator proposal to
pay Colombia S25.0OO. 900 in settlement
Of claims growing out OF the separa-
ton OF Panama and acquisition OF the
canal zone by the United States.
Reiterating his declaration that in
considering the treaty it is not neces-
sary TO examine into the merits OF the
controversy over the action OF the
United States IN 1908. the secretary
urged that even II the United States
in acquiring the canal zone was exer-
cising 4 right of eminent domain, II
was not relieved OF liability for ac-
tual damages resulting to Colombia.
Colonel Roosevelt recently asked
the senate foreign relations commit
tee TO hear a statement from him be-
fore reporting the pending treaty.
Chairman Stone replied that II the
committee decided TO pass upon the
convention ct this session IL would be
glad to hear from the colonel, but the
general understanding is that the mat
ter will go over until December.
Secretary Bryans statement fol
lows:
IN considering the treaty with Col
ombia, laid before the senate for rati-
fcation, IL is not necessary TO exam
inc into the merits Of the controversy
relating TO the action OF the United
States in 1903. The preseEt treaty
deals with the situation as it presents
itself today. and is fully justified. no
matter what theory one may adopt as
10 the course pursued by our nation
IN connection with the separation of
Panama from Colombia. Il is contend
ed by some that the action taken by
the United States was based upon the
necessities CT the case, and those ne
cessities. as stated by those who take
this position are. that Colombia was
not able TO build the canal herself and
was not willing 20 sell 20 the United
States upon reasonable terms the
right 10 build the canal
Those who take this position put
the United States in the attitude OF
exercising the right or eminent domain
in the interests OF the worlds com
merce: but the exercise OF the right
OF eminent domain does not relieve
those who exercise IL o. liability for
actual damages suffered. Take. for
illustration. the condemnins OF block
Of ground for a public building Sup
pose that every lot owner excepting
one IS willing TO sell his land TO the |
government ar its market value. but /
that one OF the lot owners. whose lot /
IS necessary TO the erection CT the
building, asks more than the land IS
worth The government proceeds TO
condemn the property. but IL does not
attempt to escape from the payment
OF what the land is actually worth,
and the actual value OF the property is
not reduced one dollar by an effort
that the owner may make 20 obtain
for Il more than IL is worth.
IF il is contended that the price o.
fcred by the United States prior to
Panama's separation was q reasonable
one. and that Columbia ought 20 have
it, that valuation cannot be
reduced merely because Colombia was
not willing 70 accept the offer. The
price then offered was approximately
sI7.50O. 900 100000 cash and $3.50
300 q year for a hundred years, which
could be capitalized at $7,5O5.00OJ. But
when this price was offered il was IN ,
ferstood that Colombia would retain
he state o. Panama and have the ad- :
10 be derived from proximity !
o the canal What justice or fairness i
an there be in the proposition that /
colombia, having refused 10 accept a {
air price, is not entitled TO any dam I