The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-08-01
Bryan Checl1mates Roosevelt

Q ECRETARI BRYAN cuts the ground from
~ under Colonel Roosevelt and OF! err op-
2oncnts Of tie Colombian treaty in his latest
formal statement i'll its defense and leaves
them entirely without visible means Of sun
port.
He valves the question OF the methods
pursued by President Roosevelt in his deal
lngS with Colombia refuses to discuss the
merits OF the controversy OF the action of the
United States in 1903, dismisses as mma-
terlal. so far as present duty in the
premises is concerned, the charges Of bad
faith against Colonel Roosevelt in taking"
the canal and, accepting MIR. Roosevet's own
statement of facts. argues from them to the
logical conclusion that we owe Colombia
rcparation. Mr.. Roosevelts account of the
transactions OF ten years ago may be true
or it may be false, but, in either case. Mr.
Bryan clearly shows. the treaty should be
ratified. In either case. Colombia has claims
upon us
Briefly, Mr.. Bryans point is that we
gained and Colombia lost when President
Roosevelt took" the canal This is true. ir-
respective of whether the United States was
or was not justified in the taking. IT. as Mr.
Roosevelt declares, Colombia was not able to
build the canal, and was unwilling to sell
the right TO build to the United States upon
reasonable terms, and, therefore, this coun-
try was compelled to take the right then. Mr.
right OF eminent domain in the interest of
the worlds commerce. But "the exercise of
the right of eminent domain does not relieve
those who exercise IT of liability for actual
damages suffered. city possesses the
right TO acquire private property for the bene-
ilt OF the general public, but the city must pay
for the property, and usually. il must pay
more than ii is worth, for the courts wisely
hold that the owner is entitled to some da m
nd fn
property against his will. In arguing that
Colombia was standing in the way of the
world s progress and that the territory nee
cssary to the building of the canal had to be
seized. Colonel Roosevelt is merely arguing
that. though the right Of eminent domain is
not recognized by international law, there are
occasions upon which it can be rightly exer-
cised by those who have the power There ia
much merit in this contention. and the quarrel
with Roosevelt is not so much that he eyer
cised this right but that he exercised il in
an uhderhandcd and trcachcrous manner in
stead of boldly Selling the territory by force
of arms Mr. Bryan does not accent this
argument. as legitimate, hut demonstrates
that, even if legitimate proper recompense
should be paid the despoiled nation Just AS
proper recompense is made the private citizen
whose property is taken by the State in the
exercise OF the right of eminent domain. To
mat contention there is no rebuttal
We think none will be attempted, but that
the next move on the part of those who op-
pose the treaty will be to contend that the
recompcnse promised by the treaty is too
htsh when that contention is made the
charge OF blackmail is withdrawn for il
VIII be TO admit that some payment is due,
and the act Of backmai docs not depend upon
the amount demanded. Moreover, when that
contention is made the righteo of the
treaty will be admitted The matter of the
amount to be paid is one of detail, and can
easily he decided once the principle of the
treaty is accepted.