Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-08-26
PANAMA YIELDS.

Fanama yields to the inevitable, WlthdraWS
from territory the possession of which has been in
dispute between that republic and Costa RIGA, and
the latter Country will assume control of the terri
tory without further controversy and without oppo-
sition, In making the announcement President
Porras sets forth the position of his country, which
IS that it yields, not to any menace from Costa RIGA,
but to the superior force of the United States. The
announcement is not altogether gracious, but the
conditions surrounding this controversy are such
that graciousness was scarcely to be expected.
Doubtless there is some resentment in the little
lsthr1ian republic at what is termed the overload
ship OF the United States, a resentment which will
be all the stronger because there seems to be no
way of escape from the condition which inspires it.
Under the terms of treaties with several Of the
Central American republics, disputes arising among
them concerning boundary and similar questions
which cannot be settled otherwise are to be referred
to the United States for arbitration, and the coun-
tries affected are bound by their agreement to ac-
cept the decisions rendered. Two motives prompt
ed such an agreement. The first is the adherence
OF the United States to its Monroe doctrine. This
nation will under no circumstances permit the ex-
tension of the control by old world powers of terri
tory in South or Central America That doctrine
IS not debatable. More than a century ago Amer
lean statesmen declared it to be the policy of this
nation, deliberately adopted because it was conceiv-
cd necessary to the peace and security of the United
States, and each succeeding year has witnessed the
strengthening of the American determination to
stand by that policy at all hazards. Our treaties
with the Central American states in which this
country is named as arbitrator in all their disputes
OF a certain class automatically excludes the nations
OF the old world from participation in any way in
the relations of the little American states.
The second consideration is that Of security for
the little republics themselves. Political conditions
in Central America have VIGOROUSLY been unstable.
Revolution has succeeded revolution, and wars be-
tween the nations have been Of frequent occurrence
II has been evident that unless some influence could
be. brought to bear to prevent these wars, the de-
v%eloplnent of stable governments would be ~infpossi-
bic. Through the concerted effort of thoughtful
and patriot men on both sides, an agreement was
reached by which, in substance, these nations bound
themselves to abstain from fighting each other, at
least over disputes Of a certain designated class, land
to refer these disputes, if they were unable to settle
them, to the United States.
It was in accordance with the terms Of one of
these treaties that the United States adjudicated the
dispute between Panama and Costa RIGA over a
boundary question. The award was
made, and in the main the claims of Costa RIGA were
sustained. Panama was reluctant to accept the
award, and took steps to resist by force the execu-
ton Of its terms. The United States issued a warn
ing, reminding the recalcitrany nation of it's agree
rnent,. and informing it in plain terms that the award
must be accepted, and that warlike activities would
not be tolerated.