The New York herald., 1921-04-19
The Truth About the Revived
Colombian Treaty.

SOlOII1Ot0n AICdty.
That the treaty paying the central
Government of Colombia S25,0o0,000
by way of moral and pecuniary salts
faction for the secession of Panama
IN 1903 will be ratified by the Senate
of the United States and proclaimed
by the President. and that the pay
ment Of this money by Washington to
Bogota will be made in consequence
THE New YORK HERALD has not now
the slightest reason to doubt. The
acceptance Of that fact does not blur
in this quarter the lively sense of
amazement and Indignation which the
proposal inspires.
Blackmail is an ugly word: one of
the ugliest in the vocabulary Of diplo-
matte action. We mention the word
because it has been freely used for
years in reference TO this very trans
action by some of the Republican
Senators who are at this time advo-
eating the treaty and who will vote
for it when ii comes to a vote The
circumstance that a direct and formal
apology to Colombia for an alleged
wrong done TO that Government eigh-
teen years ago by the Roosevelt Ad-
ministration is omitted from the in
strument in it's present version does
not change in any respect the charac-
ter or the business. Cancellation" is
az evasive a synonym for blackmail
as PREPARATION" Compensation TO
which we are morally bound 70 en-
ploy Senator KNox's phrase, does not
differ from mulct IN which the con-
fession of shameful wrong is implicit.
''Expediency,' when 1t means the sup
posed purchase Of good will and the
supposed avoidance of hostile or pred
srory sentiment by means of pecu-
mary consideration, must be meas
urcd in its craftsmanship by the right
or wrong of the unavowed motive.
For some reason not yet clearly dis
closed President HARDING has de-
cided to put this treaty through to-
morrow regardless Of the honor or
dIshonor IN history of his dead Re-
publican predecessors acts and policy
in acquiring title to the Canal Zone
All the Juggling with nouns in the
Senate Chamber cannot alter the
main fact. For the sake. at least of
the record. and independently OF the
probable result, The NEW York
HERALD feels itself impelled 10 state
plainly here what Il believes and
holds In disapproval Of the resusci-
tated Democratic project:
This revolution in the Isthmus did
not tear away from Colombia any
integral part ~ Colombia's rightful
GominIons Panama conquered her
Independence OF Spain and her lib
erty Of self-determination almost ex-
actly century ago, and BY her own
efforts. When she joined the Federal
Republic of Colombia II was as an
independent and sovereign State.
Against efforts OF the Bogota Gov
eminent TO curtail that sovereignty
Panama has repeatedly withdrawn
In 1880, in 1881 and in 1s41 and
again il 1850 and 1861. Each mc-
cessive secession was in assertion 81
Panama's stipulated end steadily
maintained right not to be incor-
porated in Colombia Cor New Ora
NADIA. asthe republic wps AZ one time
Syied) as q mere department under 4
central government She did not re.
turn 70 the Federation or New Gra-
NADIA after the last mentioned separa.
tion. except under the condition that
the Bogota Government should recog
nize her inalienable rights of MI.
tonomy independence aud sover-
eighty and of secession. These rights
we're gradually curtaiIed ny the Ro.
rc*a politicians in violation of The
solsmn condition Of the union, and as
H. .,. -