Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-23
HUGHES RIGHTLY ONE-SIDED
IN THE PANAMA DISPUTE
All the Claims Of Justice, Honor and tho
lnviolacy Of Arbitration Support the
Firm Stand Taken by the State
Department

Department
TTIlE marines who sailed away from
l. this port yesterday upon the dread
nought Pennsylvania will probably not be
called upon to fight in Central America. But
should anything so unlikely as actual con-
fict occur, the assertion of militant Amer
lean authority will assume an ethical char
acter all too rare in international disputes.
For unlike most of the issues which dis
turb the poisc of nations, the boundary con-
troversy in which the little republics of Costa
Rica and Panama are involved is morally
simple and open to extremely precise dCfini-
tion.
The principle Of arbitration. which both
Costa RCa and Panama have formally
bound themselves by treaty to respect. has
been persistently repudiated by the Isthmian
republic. 1t Is to exact the fulfllment Of
solemn pledges that the United States has
frankly and unreservedly aligned itself in
support of Costa Rica, even to the extent OF
urging the Government Of that country to
occupy the territory claimed by her neighbor.
The direct methods advocated by Secretary
Hughes in his latest terSe and vigorous note
upon the subject may, if superfcially viewed,
appear high handed. Actually the reverse is
true. The Administration in Washington
has been patient with its refractory ward
Further delay at this time would run
counter TO the primary principles of justice.
which are so overwhelmingly ranged behind
the Costa RiCan position that in its moral
values the dispute becomes one of the most
onc-sided in history.
Back in 1900, when Panama was still
part of Colombia. President Ioubet, of
France, in consequence of an invitation by
both interested parties, passed judgment upon
the frontier which had been in doubt since
the days when the old Spanish viCeroyaltCs
were split into independent nations When
the award was handed down Colombia, ren-
sonably enough at that time, believed that it
did not specifically define the boundary from
ocean to ocean.
The eagCrnCSS Of the new republic of
Panama. horn in 1908, for a REORGANIZATION
Of the subject. led to the negotiation of n
treaty with Costa Rica, providing that the
matter should be referred to Chief Justice
White. His award, made in 1914, pro-
vided for an addition to Costa Rican terri
tory, especially on the Atlantic slope, con-
Cerning which, it was contended. the Loubet
findings had not been clear For reasons
more vchemently than convincingly stated,
Panama objected to the White rulings and
declared that the Chief Justice had over
reached his delegated authority.
The question smoldered in Central Amer
lea throughout the years of the World War
only to be revived in alarming fashion in
March of this year when Costa Rica and
Panama decided to fight it out. Several
armed skirmiShes took place and a score or
more of belligcrcnts were killed when the
United States interviewed with demand for
peace pending definitlve settlement.
The war forthwith ended, but not the
efforts of Panama to justify a wholly illogical
stand, Washington turned n deaf though
courteous ear to the SophiStres of the
lsthmian diplomatists, and Argentina refused
to be implicated in an Endorsement of the
Panananian policy, which meant nothing
less than contempt for arbitration and
pledged engagements.
Tho determination of the United States
to uphold justice in fact as well as in theory
is of the happiest import in our relations with
Latin America. Indeed, in comparison with
this circumstance the actual territorial dis
putc is of minor consequence.
The fears of the mOrbdly sensitive Central
Americans that this Government would per.
hapS underwrite the ambitions of the
ISthmian republic. which Is in sense
ward of the United States. have been proved
utterly groundess. Despite our interests in
tho canal despite the dangers of disturbance
in the i>thman area, Mr.. Hughes has
lIOMlltI upon lAc icdSl SuutON utuWurt nlSl
principles.
1t is obvious that justice will be asserted
peacefully If it may be- by militant mani
festations, If no other course remains.
Central America. the five chief States of
which are now organizing themselves into a
federated nation of sons dignity, views. with
entire satisfaction the Colossus of the
North" in the role of upright judge. The
effect upon South America lays fhe founda-
ton for a new era Of confidence KIND trust
Just why Panama has persisted in
trouble making remains something of o
mystery Her territorial ambitions hardly
seem commensurate with the continued
turbulence with which bad case has been
argued Possibly the State Department
knows considerably more than it d!vulges
The secret, II there is one may remain
hidden, but this much is clear; The United
States proposes neither to see it, interests
on the Isthmus jcopardi2ed, nor through
fear Of any disturbance will it support a
policy of unjustlfcd aggression. such as
Panama has been endcavoring to defend.
Americans are entitled to be proud OF this
line Of purpose, which is grounded in honor
and satisfactory to all the sister nations Of
this Continent, save to Panama, the bad
child.