Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1917-04-13
Ratification of Columbian
Treaty Delayed Through
Partisan Feeling
MAY ENDANCER CANAL
Republicans Dislike to Admit
Wrong Done by Roose-
welt Administration

\opeCldl) dll pTODdDlllly, lueTe II
less partisan politics displayed in the
present congress than in any session
since the Civil war, yet the sen
ate in delaying the ratification of the
Colombian treaty is doing so purely
on party grounds. President Wilson
has urged the senate to ratify this
treaty, which originally proposed tc
pay to the republic of Colombia the
som of $25 900, 900, because of the
revolution and secession of the Provi
ince of Panama, which were aided and
abetted by the United States govern
ment under the administration OF
President Roosevelt.
The case has been proven time and
again, and the instrumentalties used
by Roosevelt to aid Panama in setting
up an independent government have
been shown beyond all reasonable
doubt. Whether the end which re-
suited in the construction of the great
waterway across the isthmus, justified
the means whereby the United States
acquired the Canal Zone, is something
now entirely apart from our Honest
obligation and responsibility to the
Republic of Colombia. The deed is
DONE and we would not undo it if
we could. But that is no reason why
this government should not do justice
to the little sister republic of Colom-
bia. Colombia has just grievance
and were this nation or any other
similarly situated, it would likewise
be entitled to have a grievance. The
same sort of desire for honest deal
ing which would prompt an individual
in meeting just obligation should
prompt the United States in making
proper recompense to Colombia.
But just now there is another force
fut reason why the treaty with Col
ombia should be ratified and the
amount agreed upon paid to that gov
ernment by the government of the
United States. The President has
very strongly pointed out that the
United States may need in the near
future all the friends possible in
Latin-America. In the opinion of
many, this country stands on the
verge OF war with a great power in
Europe whose intrigues against us
have already been repeatedly reveal
ed. Especially, should the United
States covet and maintain and
strengthen friendly relations with the
republic of Colombia. Her territory
is contiguous to Panama and the
Panama Canal If Colombia should
become our enemy or form secret
alliance with Germany or grant base
to Germany, it is easy to conceive
that the destruction of the Panama
Canal, not any too we'll fortified and
defended, might follow with all of its
disastrous consequences, to say moth
ing of the cost involved in money.
Therefore. those who talk SO freely
about preparedness and national de
fense yet obstruct the means of sat
isfying Colombia and making her oul
friend are not only taking a great risk
but are seriously injuring and jeopar
dizing the interests of the country.
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations has amended the original
treaty by reducing the amount to be
be paid to SIS. 900 900. Senator Stone
the chairman of the committee, has
repeatedly endeavored to get action
upon it, but Republican objectors have
prevented. They have threatened tC
prevent for all time the ratification OF
the treaty. and it lies within their
power to do so, since favorable action
can be had only by vote of two
thirds of the Senate.
Should i'll fate befall the Panama
Canal the country can but hold the
Republican party responsible for it.
and the Republican leaders in the
Senate are preventing action on the
treaty in order not to confess the
wrong which was done to Colombia
under a Republican administration.