The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1915-05-06

power to decide whether 1t should
be the Nicaragua or Panama route.
The Nicaragua route was first favor.
ed, but after careful investie alton
by the Walker commission, it was
decided that If the French rights
and equipment could be purchased
for forty million dollars, the Panama
route was to be preferred. The new
French company decided to sell at
that figure though they considered
it was an unjustly low estimate, and
negotiations then were at once star
ted with the Columbian Govern
ment to acquire the Panama rights.
On January 22nd., 1908, the Hay
Herran treaty was signed, and on
the 18th. of March it was ratified
by the United States. However, it
came to grief at Bogota.
The political party of Columbia
seemed to think that we should stand
for any amount Of blackmail, rather
than change hack to the Nicaragua
route, and from then on the diplo-
matte negotiations became clouded.
On August 18th. the Columbian
Government rejected the treaty, and
as Nicaragua was making very fav-
orable offers, the business men of
Panama, and the French interests,
got busy-Then the revolution hap
pened. Just how it started will prob.
ably never be known; but as we
have stated, there had been fifty
three revolutions in fifty three years,
whether this was in line with pre-
cedent or not, is doubtful.
Only one thing stood in the way,
and that was the clause in the trea-
ty of 1916, which read, (which for
specified value received, the United
States guaranteed to maintain the
right of sovereignty, New Granada
has, and possesses, over the said
treaty." We had always interfered.
Would we do 80 again? Had Col
umbia's blackmailing effort justified
a change? DR.. Amador went to
New York to find out, aud there
had conference with Bunan Varilla
who had arrived the same day from
France, and finally Dr.Amador went
to Washington to confer with the
then Secretary CT State, Hay. While
we do not know what was said at
that interview. it is said that DIR.
Amador left the State Dept. with a
light heart.
There were five U. S. Battles ships
at Colon and four at Panama, and
on November the second, the fol-
lowing dispatch was sent to the
Nashville and Dixie: Maintain free
and uninterrupted transit. If inter-
ruption is threatened by armed force,
occupy line of railroad; prevent land
ing of any armed force with hostile
intent; either Government or Insur-
gent; either at Colon, Porto Bello, or
other points," And tho four hun
dred Columbian soldiers arrived at
Colon on the third of November,
they were not interfered with. The
railway company refused to trans
port the troops, but the officers were
allowed to proceed to Panama. 1t
is needless to say they were disarm-
ed on their arrival.
1t must be born in mind that the
revolution had not started on the
third, but the new Republic was
proclaimed on the fourth of Novem-
ber, and was recognized by our
government three days later.
The revolution looked like a
Yankee enterprise, though it mas
been officially denied.
The Hay-Bunan Varilla treaty
was signed fifteen days after the
Republic was proclaimed and was
accepted by the provisional govern
ment of Panama Immediately. Three
months later it was ratified by our
senate. and on February twenty
sixth was officially proclaimed.