The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-07-13
BRYAN DEFENDS
PROPOSED TREATY
WITH COLOMBIA
DECLARES THAT COUNTRY SUS.
TANNED BIG LOSS
Believes That the Sum Of $25,00O,-
100000 Should Be Paid by
U. S. for Canal Privileges
(By Associated Press. J

Washington, July Secretary
Bryan issued a statement last night
defending the proposed treaty to set
tie differences between the United
States and Colombia over the separa
tlon of Panama. The treaty has
met vigorous opposition in the Sen,
ate, and Former President Roosevelt
has attacked it as vehicle for the
payment of "blackmail"
Mr.. Bryan declared that it was
necessary to discuss only the fact
that an estrangement exists, and not
the events which gave rise to the diff
ferences; and that regardless of
whether Colombia has just griev-
ance against her more powerful
neighbor, no one would deny that
the former country sustained great
financial loss, considerably more
than the $25,0OO,0OO which the
United States would pay under the
treaty, through the separation of
Panama. AS to the expression of re-
gret on the part of the American
government, to which opponents of
the pending convention offer their
bitterest objection, the secretary said
this was almost identical with a sim
liar expression in the Du Bois men,
orandum on the basis of which the
Taft administration unsuccessfully
sought to placate Colombia.
The statement in full follows:
"As the terms of the Colombian
treaty have been published and it Is
now before the Senate for ratifica-
tion, the following statement may
assist the public to form an opinion
upon the merits of the question:
THE present administration found
an estrangement existing between
the United States and Colombian
estrangement that has continued for
nearly thirteen years. AS the normal
relation between nations is one for
it is desirable that diff
ferences shall be adjusted and cor
dial relations resumed. 1t is not
necessary to discuss the events which
gave rise to this estrangement, be-
cause it does not matter which par
ty was at fault. The estrangement
exists, and this is the fact that must
be dealt with.
Colombia has all along insisted
upon arbitration. If this nation
were willing to arbitrate, it would
not be necessary to discuss terms of
because in the case of ar
the parties accept the find
ing of the arbitrators and settle their
differences according to the terms
prescribed. 1t is not the policy of
nations, however, to settle by arbi-
ration questions like those arising
between the United States and CO.
ombia, and as arbitration is not re-
sorted to, the settlement must be
made by direct negotiations. Our ma
ion, being much the larger nation,
md having refused to arbitrate,
axes upon itself the responsibility
If doing justice to Colombia. Not
,nly is it our duty to do justice to
'olombia, but in case of doubt as to
What is Just, we must resolve that
loubt against ourselves and in favor
If Colombia.
Colombia feels that she has been
and whatever may be said
Is to whether or not this feeling is
no one will deny that she
las sustained great financial loss in
he separation of Panama from her.
Before the separation took place, this
government offered Colombia $10,-
100000 for the canal route and
i250,000 year for one hundred
ears. This annuity might be capt.
allied at about s17,5OO, 900, so that |
his governments estimate of the
oss suffered by Colombia could not |
e less than about s17,500,000. But |
hat estimate was made upon the
that Colombia would re-
ain the State or department of |
'anama The retention of Panama |
Tould have given to Colombia not |
My the value of Panama, but the |
Incidental benefits to be derived from
to the canal We cannot |
eny, therefore, that the actual loss
o Colombia was considerably more
han $25, 100000.
But we have later estimate to