Iditarod pioneer., 1914-08-15
COLOMBIAN TREATY
 DEFENDED BY BRYAN

Washington, July 12-Secretary Bryan issued statement tonight defending the proposed treaty to settle differences between the United States and Colombia over the separation of Panama, The treaty has met vigorous opposition in the senate, and for mer President Roosevelt has attacked it as a vehicle for the payment of "blackmall" /"
 Mir. Bryan declared that it was necessary to discuss only the fact that an estrange ment exists, and not the events which gave rise to the differences, and that regardless ot whether Colombia has just grievance against her more powerful neighbor, no one would deny that the former country sus- tained great financial loss, considerably more than the S52, 100000 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, to which opponents of the pending convention offer their bittercst objection, the secretary said this was almost identical with a similar ex- basis of which the Taft administration un- pressicn in the Dubois memorandum on the successfully sought to placate Colombia.
 After reviewing the thirteen-y"@r arrangement between the two countries, the statement continues:
 "Colombia has all along insisted upon arbitration If this nation were willing to arbitrate it would not be necessary to dis cuss terms of settlement, because in the case of arbitration the parties accept the finding of the arbitrators and settle their differ cnces according to the terms prescribed. It is not the policy of nations, however, to set tie by arbitration questions like those aris- ing between the United States and Colom- bia, and as arbitration is net resorted to, the settlement must be made by direct negotia- ton Our nation being much the larger one, and having refused to aTbitrate, takes upon itself the responsibility of doing jus tce to Colombia. Not only is it OUT duty to do justice to Colombia, but in case of doubt as to what is just, we must resolve that doubt against ourselves and in favor of Colombia.
 "Colombia feels that she has been az grieved, and whatever may be said as to whether this feeling is justified, no one will deny that she has sustained great financial loss in the separation of Panama from her Before the separation took place this gov ernment offered Colombia S10000000 for the canal route and $25000 year for 100 years This annuity might be capitalized at about S7,500,000, so that this governments estimate of the loss suffered by Colombia could not be less than about S17, 7,5O0,0 000 But that estimate was made upon the sup position that Colombia would retain the state or department of Panama. The re tention of Panama would have given to Colombia, not only the value of Panama hut tha incidental benefits tO be derived from proximity to the canal. We cannot deny, therefore, that the actual loss to Co., lombia was considerably more than S25,- 0O0,0G0
 This nation can afford to be just; even more, it can afford to be generous in the settling of disputes especially when by i.s generosity it can increase the friendEness of the many millions of Central and South America with whom our relations become daily more intimate"