The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1914-07-16
TAYLOR DEFENDS HIS
COURSE IN COLOMBIA
Former Minister Issues State
ment Supporting Proposed
Treaty Payment.

HaInis Taylor. former minister to
Spain. recognized authority on inter-
national law and cousel for the United
States of Columbia in the latter's claim
against the United States as the result
of the Panama canal territory acquisi-
ton. issued an interesting pamphlet to-
day on the Columbia treaty situation.
THE dominating fact. which throws
more light than all others upon the
real nature of the transaction" SAYS
the statement in its opening para
graphs. was thus stated by Colonel
Roosevelt himself. in notable speech
made al the University of California.
on March %. 1911: I am interested in
the Panama Canal because | started
II. If | had followed traditional con-
sentative methods, | should have sub
mitted a dignified state paper of prob
ably zoo pages to the Congress and
the debate would have been going on
yet. But | took the Canal Zone and
let Congress debate. and while the
debate goes on the Canal does also
The DamDhlet continues with declara-
tons that The Taft Administration,
knowing that President Roosevelt took
the Canal Zone made an earnest eff
fort to settle the damages upon A just
and honorable basis" a communication
OF Secretary of State Knox. indorsed
bv President Taft and forwarded by
him to Congress. in which IL is suggest
ed that Colombia be offered IS. 900, 900.
Is cited as an Illustration of the good
intentions of the Taft regime.
The writer then cites the speech of
Senator Bacon. favOring arbitration of
the differences existing between Col
ombia and the United States as the
result of the canal territory acquisition
The Georgian statesman. at the time
the speech was made. was chairman
of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations Mr. Taylor gives in detail
the events leading up to and succeeding
the treaty made with Colombia. then
New Granada, in 1916. He goes over
The "Spooner act" providing for the
construction Of an Isthmian canal.
with details of the "Hay-Herran con-
vention' of 1893
Following this, four uages are de-
voted to The Opera Bouff,. Revolution
of November. l90i." which ending in tn.
secession of Panama from Colombia
and the recognition % that strip of ter
ritory as an Independent country by the
United States Government.
Mr.. Taylor declares il is hard for one
familiar with TIE rules OF international
law to record the details OF this strange
transaction with a straight face"
1t is hard not to gasp at this UMPIRE
cedented process OF nation making"
says the writer. at a process whereby
the President of the guaranteeing ma
ton. itself unavoidably included In the
treaty's provision. forcibly disabled CO.
lumbia from taking the slightest pre-
cautionary measures against secession;
continued and expended his hostility,
and then. in one day, seventeen hours.
and forty-one minutes from the is
suance in the city of Panama of an
insurgent proclamation of independence,
recognized a new sovereignty.
An attempt has been made to create
prejudice AGAINST the treaty by the false
statement that Colombia has agreed 10
pay me a contingent fee of 81, 10000 upon
Its ratification" says the writer in con
clusion.
Il am her counsel. and our contract is
In writing and subject to inspection by
the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
lions, whenever that body may see At
to call for It."