The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-07-13
THROUGH SEPARATION
/, OF PANAMA |
Says Expression of Regret
Had Precedent in Taft's
Administration


ferences between the United States and
Colombia over the separation OF Panama.
The treaty has met vigorous opposition
in the Senate. and former President
Roosevelt has attacked it as a vehicle for
the payment of "blackmaif
Mr.. Bryan declared that it was neees-
sary to discuss only the fact that an
estranpement exists and not the events
which gave rise to the differences; and
that regardless Of whether Colombia has
lust grievance against her more pow
srful neighbor, no one would deny That
the former country sustained great finan
cial loss, considerably more than the
sos. 0o0.0O0 which the United States
would pay under the treaty, through the
separation of Panama. As to- the ex-
nression of regret ON the part OF the
American government, to which oppo-
nents of the pending convention offer
their bitterest objection, the secretary
said this was almost identical with a.
similar expression in the Dubois memo
randum Of the basis of which the Faft
administration msueeessfully sought to
plaeate Colombia.
The statement in full follows;
"As the terms OF the Colombian treaty
have been published and it is now before
the Senate for ratification, the follow
ing statement may assist the public to
form an opinion upon the merits OF the
question:
"The present administration found an
eetrangement existing between the
United States and Colombian es-
arrangement that has continued for near
lv I3 years. As the normal relation be-
tween the nations is one for friendship,
II is desirable that differences shall be
adjusted and cordial relations resumed.
1t is not necessary to discuss the events
which gave rise to this estrangement,
because it does not matter which party
was at fault The estrangement exists,
and this is the fact that must be dealt
with.
"CoIom bia has all along insisted upon
arbitration. If this nation were willing
to arbitrate. it would not be necessary
to discuss terms of settlement because
in the case of arbitration the parties
accept the finding of the arbitrators and
settle their differences according to the
terms prescribed. 1t is not the policy OF
nations, however, to settle by arbitra-
ton questions like those arising between
the United States and Colombia, and as
arbitration is not resorted to, the settle
ment must be made by direct negotia'
tions. Our nation, being much the lare
er nation, and having refused to arbl-
trate, takes upon itself the responsible
ity of doing justice to Colombia. Nos
only is it our duty to do justice to Co
Iombia. but in case of doubt as to what
is Just, we must resolve that doubt
against ourselves and in favor of Colom-
bia
COLOMBIA feels that she has been
aggrieved. and whatever may be said as
TO whether or not this feeling is justi-
fed, no one will deny that she has sus-
tanned great financial loss in the separa
ton of Panama from her. Before the
separation took place, this government
offered Colombia SlO,000,000 for the ca
nal route and S250,000 year for 100
years. This annuity might be capital
lied at about S7500,000, so that this
governments estimate of the loss suf-
fered by Colombia could not be less than
about Sl7. 100000. But that estimate |
was IHdut upOH blt HupIJo1tAAJh NAdt W /
lombia would retain the state or depart. |
ment of Panama. The retention of Pan !
anna would have given to Colombia not |
only the value of Panama, but the in |
cidental benefits to be derived from |
proximity to the canal. We cannot |
deny, therefore, that the actual loss to |
Colombia was considerably more than |
S25,000,000.
"But we have a later estimate to con-
slider, namely, that placed upon the loss
by the preceding administration. While |
there is a dispute as to whether Mr.. Du
Bots exceeded his authority in the prop |
osition that he made, there is no doubt /
that he was authorized 10 make known 4
to Colombia that the United States
would offer as the basis of a treaty. ii /
assured of acceptance by Colombia, Sl0,- t
100000 for the Atrata river canal route I
and arbitration of the reyersionary in
terest TO Colombia in the railroad. This
reversionary interest was valued at
about Sl6000.O0 which would have been
the sum awarded to Colombia il the /
arbitration was decided in her favor. /
The Sl0,000,0OO for the Atrata route
and the Sl0.0O0,000 was evidently in
tended more as iquidated damages than
as the price of the canal route-tCgether
with the value Of the reversionary in
terest in the railroad would amount to
$4,000. 900.
But Mr.. Dubois went further than
this, and suggested arbitration Of a ca
nal lease, which might have added some
sl7.o0o000 more. and then. upon his own
responsibility. in order 70 sound Colon
hia as 70 her demand. asked il she would
consider S25.000000 with the arbitration
Of the reversionary interest in the rail
road and without granting any priv
ileges whatever. This question. while
unauthorized. could not but create IN !
the minds Of the people Of Colombia the
idea that this government was willing ,
10 20 further than lis formal offer. b
Reference " made TO what has been
done because former estimates created
which made % impossible
10 secure treaty on more favorable
terms than those embodied in the pres .
snt treaty. The cansi rome conversions y
remained in TIE treaty are subsfanti siv D
those embodied IN The Rect -Cortes Is
treaty. which vas not ratified By Co 4
.nmbis. and TIE expression OF regret y G.
6srticzl in meaning and almcst i1enti- .