Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-22
THE TREATY RATIFIED.

With several votes to spare over the required two
thirds majority the senate has declared for ratification OF
the treaty with Colombia, providing among other things
for the payment to that nation of $25, 200, 600. The sub
ject has been one Of animated, and sometimes, bitter con-
troversy for several years. 1t will be a satisfaction to
know that it is settled. A number of unfortunate fea-
lures have marked the discussion; among them, the sug-
gestion of bad faith on the part Of the United States In
the events prior to the acquisition of canal rights by this
country. The record seems to show quite clearly that
the United States was blameless in this matter, and is also
adopted a policy which at least strongly resembled the
policy Of hold-up. The United States has been greatly
the gamer by the construction Of the canal, and while
this nation did not deprive Colombia Of any rights, Colom-
ba did lose by the secession of Panama certain advan-
tages which she would otherwise have possessed. Prob
ably the best way out of the turmoil was for the nation
which was abundantly able, to be generous to her smaller
neishbor, and provide for payment which she can easily
afford to make.
The treaty had formerly been rejected by the senate,
and its acceptance at this time was due to declaration
from the executive department that its ratification was
desired as one of the steps in a program Of harmonizing
and expanding our relations with, all of our southern
neighbors. 1t was doubtless a coincidence, but a very
interesting one, that while the treaty was on the eve Of
acceptance by the senate, the president Of the United
States was speaking in New York at exercises attending
the dedication Of a monument to Simon Bolivar, whose
name is inseparably connected with the establishment of
free government in the Latin Amer states. 1t is to be
hoped that the voluntary assumption of the obligation to
pay this very considerable sum of money BY this country
will be accepted as evidence of a real desire to cultivate
oHu AiO1e 1I1euuly elotAOA Will n ulH
states, and will also be received as a demonstration of
the purpose of this government to respect at all times
the integrity and the political independence of those ma
tons
One feature of the treaty in connection with which
some interest may develop some time is the provision
that the shipping of Colombia shall have access to the
Panama Canal on the same terms with the shipping Of
the United States. Generally speaking. this provision
characterizes our agreement with all nations with which
we have relations. 1t is in fact incorporated in our treaty
wit, Great Britain. In that document it is declared that
the canal shall be free to all nations on equal terms with
the United States. There has been, however, a dispute
in this country over the exact Interpretation of that pro-
vision. Effort has been made to establish the right Of
the United States to grant to its own scoastwise shipping
free transit through the canal. That position, however,
has not been maintained by the government itself, and
American coastvise trade pays the same tolls that are paid
by all other shipping. There has been talk of a revision
of this arrangement; presumably, by agre oment with
Great Britain. Should a new arrangement be made, and
American coastwise trade be relieved Of tolls, there may
be a question as to the coastwise trade of Colombia. That
country borders on both oceans, and Colombia may assert
her Sght under the treaty to freedom from tolls provid-
cd tolls on certain parts of American trade ar, eliminated.
However, Colombian trade is not ve-y great, and the sums
involved in such a question, il it should ever arise, will
not be important.