Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-20
PEACE ON THE IsTHafUS,

& The United States sovernnpent intends to maintain
sspeaes on the isthmus and in. the territory r adjoining.
There ID the possibility that its effort may require a show
sof force. or even the actual use of force. If the need
EXISTS the force will doubtless be used. Moreover, if
Sthe occasion arises to use it, it will be used without the
sfcrmaltty Of asking permission of congress.
There are many of our governmental activities, the
responsibility for which is not very clearly defined. OF
course congress alone has authority to declare war. But
decidedly warlike appearance which are performed on
sthe authority OF the executive alone, and it is sometimes
e little difficult to determine just what constitutes a
state OF war and what a state of peace.
The difficulty usually arises in connection with the
smaller nations, and because this is true there are al
ways those who assert that the big nation plays the
bully by undertaking to apply to the little one coercion
swR&ch It would not attempt against any greater power.
sProh4hly there is some basis for the charge. But there
as the additional fact that many Of the little nations are
such only in name. They have undertaken to walk be-
fore they are quite ready. and are at times a little un-
STEADY on their pins and cratic in their actions. The 1ars-
Er and older nations assume toward them something of the
relationship assumed by the grown man to the children
whom he meets as he passes along the street. Without
assuming dictatorial powers, and with the desire to per-
a3ait the youngsters to have as much Of their own way as
possible, the passer-by does occasionally interfere with
Pie scts OF the smaller fry, sometimes directly in their
pwn interest, and sometimes for the purpose of curbing
Ahetr destructive tenden lies. It seems to he necessary,
At times, to proceed similarly with the small nations.
SThe United States has provided for a certain meas
lire of supervision over the affairs of the Central Amer
Acan states by means of treaties. In those agreements
provision is made for the Submission Of disputed ques-,
fiona to arbitration by the United States, and warfare
hmnag the smaller republics is wholly tr partially pro-
hibtted. It is under provision Of this class that the
United States is taking a very firm stand with reference
s8o the preservation Of peace between Panama and Costa
4Rica.
The particular subject Of controversy between the
Two countries is the designation of a section Of the boun.
5ary hstween the two countries. Pursuant to treaty
This DISPUTE was referred TO an American commission.
Mvhlch decided most pf the disputed points in favor of
2psta Hiea- Panama has been reluctant to accept this
4wUds@and her neishbor has threatened to enforce 1t by
3nain Strength. The United States state department has
M11sEske1 Panama. in substance, that she muse abide
3gtSH 4aetEon rendered, and at the same time has noti-
8A4N1pGGa Nlca that she must not employ military meas
1IASae4feSc her claim.
situation resolves into one in which, II other
S61S y ~ fet1, the United, etates itself must enforce the
xSi2fSQ a& IT. commission. II We will not permit Costa
S62 ~ ~ whatever force is necessary to take posses
= n tetritosy to which it has been decided she ID en-
ENWA@nuAt be prepared to assume the responsibility
S61 1kg& 81 seeins that the terms Of the award are car
&ISAgyAss 9s
SIk essmsg quite probable that after the exchange Of
afS 4kg1tplonnatic meDages the subject Will be stralght-
1&6Iscrks ~ this does not result, the landing Of . small
3s<E1 smarinsa, or some similar military demonstration,
Ha1ss;lan for such . mpvefnent the president has
1fSA1s1msray