The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-04-25
Colombia and the Canal
Setting Forth ldme
That Has Been Acquired Honorubly In

Kansas City Star: The Star be-
lieves the United States Is not indebt-
ed to Colombia, that the payment made
by this government to the republic Of
that the course adopted by President
Roosevelt. under which the canal was
constructed, was thoroughly honorable
and in the interest Of civilization.
Colombia had its chance to cooper
ate on favorable terms In the construc-
ton Of the great short cut. It refused
the opportunity. and the incident is
closed. There 10 no ground for the
payment Of an indemnity to the South
American republic.
It will be recalled that for many
years the Nicaragua route was the only
canal route considered by the United
States. One reason for this was that
the French company which had made
futile attempt to cash tho 1sthmus,
was in possession Of the Panama route
and refused to part with its franchise
on reasonable terms.
Then came the French company's Of
fer to sell out for 10 millions. which
was accepted by the United States. and
the negotiation OF the Hay-Paunce-
fote treaty to get rid of the old Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty. which blocked ca
nal work. When It became evident
that the United States was turning
from Nicaragua to Panama, the CO.
lombian politicians saw a great oppor-
tunity to make their country-and its
political leaders-gloriously rich.
The canal was to cost several hum
dred million dollars. For many years
it must be operated at . loss. 1t was.
and Is, exceedingly doubtful whether
1t ever will meet running expenses, in
terest on the investment and a sink
ing fund. But the Colombians began
negotiations on the theory that it was
to be an immensely profitable enter
prise. A plan proposed by Colombia
agent in Paris was that the United
States pay 20 million dollars in gold at
/nce and an annuity beginning at
million dollars and gradually increas-
ing to IL millions.
What Colombia Really Wanted.
1t was averred frankly by the Col
ombian minister at Washington that
his government desired to realize
enough from the sale Of canal rights
to redeem the paper currency. to pay
the interest on the national debt and
calm the susceptibilities of political
parties"
What the United States offered
through Secretary Hay was a cash
rental of Y million dollars a yea
after nine years, when the canal was
expected to be in operation.
This offer was accepted by the Col
ombian government, but was rejected
by the Colombian senate. The revolu-
and the canal treaty and payment fell
to the new republic of Panama.
History OF Panama.
The state OF Panama had had va
ried history. For time in the first
half Of the century 1t was under the
government of Bogota. Then for many
years it was virtually Independent. In
1885 Colombia again established its
authority over the isthmus.
The country was always in q tur-
MOL. Between May. 1850. and July,
1902, there were fifty-three more or
less serious disturbances there. Six
times in that period the United States
was forced to land marines to preserve
order. When word reached the 18TH
mus in 1903 that Colombia had reject
ed the proposed treaty. a group of dis
affected politicians decided on another
revolution.
Their Motives.
Their motives were doubtless partly