The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-13
BRYAN URGES PROPOSED
TREATY WITH COLOMBIA
Would Assist Public I'm Forming
Opinion on Merits Of
Convention.
REAL ENHANCEMENT EXISTS
Secretary OF State Wants to Settle
Differences Growing Out Of Sepa-
ration OF Panamn-EXprcssion OF
Regret Like That of Dubois.

Panama. The treaty has me, vigorous
opposition In the Senate. and former
President Roosevelt has attacked it AZ
"A vehicle for the payment of "black-
mail"
MIR. Bryan declared that it was neccs-
ssry to discuss only the fact that an
estranSeinent exists. and not tho events
which gave rise 10 the differences, and
that regardless Of whether Colon bia
has a just grievance against her moro
powerful neighbor. no one would deny
that the former country sustained
great financial loss. considerably more
than the $4,000 900 which the United
states would pay under the treaty
through the separation OF Panama. AS
TO the expression OF regret on the part
Of the American government. 20 which
opponents OF the pending convention
offer their bitterest objection, the sec
rotary said this was almost identical
with similar expression in the Du
which the Taft administration unsuc-
cessfully fought to placate Colombia.
STATEMENT IN FULL.
BY SECRETARY OF STATE
The statement in full follows:
AS the terms OF the Colombian
treaty have been published. and il Is
now before the Senate for ratification,
the following statement may assist the
public 10 form an opinion upon the
merits Of the question:
The present administra ton found an
estranGement existing between the
United States and Colombia-an es-
arrangement that has continued for
nearly thirteen years. AS the normal
relation between nations Is one for
friendship. il is desirable that differ
ences shall be adjusted and cordial re-
lations resumed. Ii is not necessary to
discuss the events which gave rise to
this enlargement, because II does not
inlttpr which ~ nil ha
ca!'; ngcment exists. and this is the
fact that must be dealt with.
Colombia has all along insisted upon
arbitration. If this nation were will
inG 10 arbitrate. it would not be nee
eSsary TO discuss terms OF settlement
because in the case of arbitration the
parties accept the finding OF the arbi-
traitors and settle their differences &C
cording 10 the terms prescribed. 1t
Is not the policy of nations, however
to settle by arbitration questions like
those arising between the United States
and Colombia. and as arbitration is
not resorted to, the settlement must he
made by direct negotiations. Our ma
ton, being much the larger nation,
and having refused to arbitrate. takes
upon Itself the responsibility OF doing
justice TO Colombia Not only Is II our
duty to 10 Justice 10 Colombia, but in
case OF doubt as To what Is just, wc
must resolve that doubt against our
selves and in favor or Colombia
GREAT FINANCIAL
Loss Is SUSTAINED
Colombia feels that she has been
aggrievcd. and whatever may be said Il
10 whether or not this feeling is jus
sustained great financial loss In the
separation OF Panama from her. Be
fore the separation took place. this
government offered Colombia 10000
200 for the canal route and 100000 a
year for 100 years. This annuity might
be capitalized at about S7.50o.000. go
that this governments estimate OF the
loss suffered by Colombia could not
be less than about sl7,500.0O0 But
that estimate was made upon the sup
position that Colombia would retain
the state or Department Of Panama.
The retention of Panama would have
given 10 Colombia not only the value
OF Panama. but the Incidental benefits
To be derived from proximity to the
canal We cannot deny, therefore, that
the actual loss TO Colombia was con-
siderably more than $25.0o0o0o.
But we have a later estimate to
consider namely, that placed upon the
loss by the preceding administration
While there is a dispute as 10 whether
Mr.. Dubois exceeded his authority In
the proposition that he made. there is
no douh; that he was authorized to
make known TO Colombia that the
United States would offer as the basis
or treaty. ii assured of acceptance by
Colombia, S1o.00O.0o0 for the Atrata
River canal route and arbitration of
the reversionary interest OF Colon bia
in the railroad This reversionary in
tercst was valued At about $4,000, 900,
which would have been the sam ava I'd =
cd 10 Colombia ii the arbitration was
decided in her favor The $4,000. 900
IN 20 ira IA a ha
900 was evidently intended more as
liquidated damages than as the price
OF the canal route-togcther with the
value OF the revcrsionary interest in
the railroad would amount to s26,-
600, 900.
WILLING TO 60 FURTHER
THAN IT'S FORMAL OFFER
But Mr.. Dubois went further than
this, and suggested arbitration OF Il
canal lease. which might have added
some Sl7.00D.000 more, and then, upon
his own responsibility. In order to
sound Colombia as to her demand,
asked if she would consider $4,000,
900 with the arbitration OF the rever-
sionary interest i'll the railroad and
without granting any privileges what
ever This question, while unauthor
ICED. could not but create in the minds
OF the people Of Colombia the idea tina;
this government was willing To go
reference is made TO what has been
done because former estimates ere
atcd expectations which made IL i'm
possible to secure treaty on more
favorable terms than those embodied
in the present treaty The Canal
Zone concessions contained in the
treaty are substantially those en-
! bodied IA the Root -Cortez treaty. which
Was not ratified by Colombia. and the
expression OF regret is Identical in
meaning and almost identical In words
with the expression of regret to be
found In the Dubois mem orar.l,Im.
"if cordial relations are to he re-
stored with Colombia, they must be
| restored on Il basis that is satisfactory
to Colombia Friendships cannot rest
| upon force. neither can they rest upon
acquiescencc in the power OF might.
! Even If Colombia, Under protest and
against the Judgment Of her people.
accepted less sum than that which
/ we offer. IL wJold not rectore the re-
! lations that Ought To exist. We must
| satisfy their sense of justice. although
| Il less sum might satisfy our sense of