The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-13
Du Bots. Instructions.

Regarding the expression of regret In
N. PENDING treatv- which Mr. Bryan says
10 virtually identical with that in the
pu Bo!ss memora udum, II is a matter OF
record that Mr.. Du Bos's Instructions from
Secretary Knox included the following
paragraph
The United States will not for
moment consider the us" Of any Ian
guage which In any way impugns the
past attitude. acts or motives Of This
Government.
In his statement Mr.. Bryan hacktracks
IN his original charge that the Taft Ad-
mristration authorized the expression or
u-rer He made that statement fatly
few weeks ago. Now he acknowledges
"a dispute" as to whether Minister Du
Bots was authorized by Secretary Knox
10 make any such proposal.
Ny BRYAN reCites the fact that the
wilson Administration found an estrange-
ment existing with Colombia and inasmuch
a. 70 Yield to Colombia's demand for
arbitration was contrary TO the policy or
nations the Administration took upon
itselt the responsibility of doing Justice
10 Colombia.
In case OF doubt ae 20 what Is Just"
Mr. Bryan says. 1--WE must resolve that
DOUBT against ourselves and in favor OF
Colombia Colombia feels that she has
been agRrieved and whatever may be
H1'0 as 10 WnpTner OF not In1S 1tfllnk 10
justified no one will deny that she has
sustained great financial loss in the sepa
ration ~ Panama from her.
Before the separation took place this
Government offered Colombia 10000 600
To- the canal route and $4,000 year
for loo years, This annuity might he
capitalized al about III 100000, 80 that
iris Governments estimate of the loss
suffered by Colombia could not he less
than about Si7.bO0,000, but that esti-
mate was made upon the suppositon that
Colombia would retain the State OF Pan
anna
We cannot deny therefore that the ac-
tual loss TO Colombia was considerably
more han s25,000,00o,
A Later Estimate.
'put we have a later estimate TO con-
Vi@r namely that placed upon the loss
bv tho preceding Administration. While
there IA dispute as TO whether Mr.. D,l
Bots exceeded his authority, there IL no
doubt that he was authorized to make
known 10 Colombia that the United States
would offer as the basis OF treaty, II
assured Of acceptance by Colombia, $780,
oo0 600 for the Atrato River canal route
and arbitration OF the reversionary inter
est IN Colombia In the other.
The reversionary interest was valued
A. about sl5,000,0 900, which would have
heen the sum awarded TO Colombia III me
arbitration was decided in her favor The
so ooo ooo for the Atrato route-and the
sloOo0,00O was evidently intended NOR.
as liqu'dated damages than as the price
~ the canal route-together with the
value ~ the reversionary interest In the
ra'lroad would amount to s25,o00,o0o.
But Mr., Du Bos went further than this
md suggested arbitration NJ a canal lease
"hicn might have added some $1,000,
"0o more, and then upon his own rcspon
sh1ity. IN order to sound Colombia as &c
he demand asked II sh" would consider
'2iooo 600 with the arbitration OF the re-
'ersionarv interest in the railroad anC
without granting any PRIVILEGES what
ever
This question while unauthorized
could not but create In the minds OF thu
people Of Colombia the idea that this Gov
eminent was willing to go further than ii
formal offer
ENigencies Of the Problem.
1T efa ie IN u,h baz hppf