The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-07-31
DISCUSSION OF MERITS
NOT NEEDED, SAYS BRYAN
Rcopcning Of Original Controversy
Over Panama Canal Zone Seizure
Really Objectionable.
FRIENDSHIP is ONLY OBJECT
Secretary Explains That Even If
United States Exercised Right of
Eminent Domain, IL l. Not Relieved
From Compensating Colombia.


Washington July 3c.-A second
formal statement in defense of the
proposed colombiar :-eaty was issued
to-day by Secretary Bryan without
mentioning Colonel Roosevelt MIR
Bryan replied to arguments advanced
by ;hc former President in his attacks
upon the administrations proposal to
pay Colombia $50 900 in settlement
OF claims growing out of the scpara
ton Of Panama and acquisition OF the
Canal Zone by the United States.
Ecitcratins his declara ton that in
regard to the treaty il is not ncccs-
sary 10 examine into the merits OF tn"
controversy of the action Of the United
States in 1909. the secretary urged that
even II the United States in acuuirinr
the Cana: Ionc was exercising Il right
Of eminent domain. ii was not re-
lievcd OF liability for actual damages
resulting TO Colombia.
GENERAL UNDERSTANDING.
NATTER WILL 60 OVER
Colonel Roosevelt recently asked the
senate Foreign Relations Committee 10
hear q statement from him before re-
porting the pending treaty. Chairman
stone replied that If the committee
decided to pass upon the convention
AT this session ii would be glad TO
hear from the Colonel. but the general
understanding is That the matter will
go rNcr until December. Secretary
Bryan In his statement Tonight SAYS:
In considering the treaty wi:h Co
lo'Nbia - Is not necessary to examine
INFO ,hc merits OF the controversy re-
latinG to the action Of the United
states in 1908. Tho present treaty deals
With the situation as IL presents itself
to-day and - fully justified. no matter
what the ordinary one may adopt as L.
the course pursued by our nation in
connection with the separation OF ran
.r.s s.If
that the action taken by the United
states Was based upon the necessities
of The case. and those necessities as
stated by those who take this position
are that Colombia was not allc to
huilc the canal herself. and was not
willing 10 sell the United states uLon
reasonable terms thc right to build til.
canal
Those who tako this position pu,
the United States int" the attitude. of
exc .sin" the right at eminent domain
in the interests Of the worlds com
of eminent domain does not relieve
those who exercise it OF liability for
actual damages suffered.
''if II is coutcndcd that the price Of
fcrcu by the United States prior To
ranama's separation was a reasonable
one. and that Colombia nuyht to have
accepted l.. that valuat OH cannot be
induced merely because Colombia was
not willing Ia accept the offer The
price then offered was approximately
ilT.5Ur."O0 (>lo.o0).o0o cash and S2jo-
Doe 4 year for 100 years. which could
be capitalized 1T S7."00.O0o>. Eut when
this price was offered ii was under.
STOOD that Colombia would retain the
state OF Panama. and have the ad-
vantaecs TO he derived from proN-
unity 10 the canal.
WHAT JUSTICE or FAIRNESS
What Justice or fairness can ther.
he in this proposition, that Colon bia.
having refused TO accept = fair price.
is not entitled TO any damages at all?
The payment Of the S25.009.000 provided
for in the treaty now before the Sen
ate is only :. rcason3t BILE compensation
for damages actually sutfcred-dam-
tgcs that ought To he y lid. no matter
what the ordinary one adopts in re-
gard 10 :he action Of the United states
or she action OF Colombia in 1903 The
above argument is based upon the the
ory adopted by those who say Colon
bia was entirely in the wrout in re-
fusIng to accept the offer mad, by the
United States. but it must he rcmcTn-
berod that This theory is disputed by
the people OF Colombia. who defended
,hc position their government then
took. and who have ever since asked
that the controversy be arDitvgtcd by
some impartial interests
The reopeuing ut this time of the
original controversy is not only an
necessary. but Objectionable; first, be-
cause il divcrts attention from the
present situa ton. and second. because
il would revive. both here and in CO.
lombi:t, tie very feeling of unfricrdli-
ness. which il is desire Bile to allay.
This treaty IL intended to restore
friendship and good will between these
nations. and this can be done by deal
ing with the situation as il now pre-
sents Itself without renewing the dis
cusson as to the merits of the posi-
,ions originally taken by the two gov
ernmcnts. respectively
nrIs