The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1921-05-12
THE COLOMBIAN TREATY

This treaty was ratified few days
ago in the Senate of the United States
by vote of SO to 10. Of those voting in
favor of ratification 29 were Democrats
and 40 were Republicans. Of those op-
posed were Democrats and Is were Re-
publicans. The debate occupied con-
slider able portion of several days and was
earnest but at no time was it marred by
anger or by recrimination. Although it
was an administration measure the party
whip was not used by either political
party The discussion was almost en-
firely concentrated upon clause of the
treaty which provided for the taking of
S25, 200, 900 from the treasury of the
United States and turning it over to the
republic of Colombia in satisfaction of
claim on the part of that country for
what it thought was due for giving up to
us all rights in the province of Panama
The province of Panama has about the
same area as the State of Maine. Us
Dopulation is composed of about SEQ, 900
natives and about 1907 900 other people.
The city of Panama has about 40, 900 in
habitants, Colon has 5000, David has
1000 and there are 40 or so little towns
along the extensive coast lines and in
the interior. We have read of the won
,derful mineral and agricultural resources
of the province, but if they exist they
are undeveloped. Proof of this is seen in
the fact that during the seven years
prior to the completion of the canal, in
1914, the entire exports of the province
averaged only So, 600, 900 a year, and dur
ing the seven years the imports were
about twice as much as the exports.
Never did Colombia get five per cent of
this meager trade.
The above facts show that, aside from
9he canal route, the province of Panama
was of no value to Colombia. Had it
not been for the 'IsthmuS route" be-
tween the Atlantic and the Pacific, Co.
gombia would have abandoned the entire
province to the mosquitoes and the
Chag res fever, rs years ago.
In the forties gold seekers began to 60
across the isthmus in great numbers and
the need of a railroad for passenger and
freight transportation attracted the at
aention of American capital and IN 1848
Colo mbia ceded railroad rights from the
city of Panama to Colon for q period of
90 years. In 1867 this cession was ex-
tended in time to 1867 and was modified
by a Drovso that on the last named date
the railroad and all its fixtures and prop
erty should revert to the United States
of Colombia. The railroad company paid
for this leasehold Sl,000,0 600 and agreed
to pay $3.50, 900 annually for SO years.
Nowhere in the Senate debate was it
shown that Colombia has sold, trans
ferred or forfeited her reversionary right
in this railroad, about AZ miles long, To-
Gated near the canal. Under the terms
of the treaty ratified by the Senate
Colombia will rehnquish ali claim upon
this road by rev ersion or otherwise.
In 1873, Colombia made concession
to French company giving it right to
construct canal across the province of
Panama and this company began opera
tons in 1882, ha wing then acquired the
railroad by purchase from the American
company. The French company went
Anto recevership in 1889 but operations
were continued until May 4, 1904, when
the United States took control, having
purchased of the French company g.
868 of 10000 shares of the railroad at
$40 a share and all the other rights and
property of the French company 1t
total cost of $40, 900, 900. Colombia claims
that under the canal concession, if the
French company did not complete the
canal within specified time, the cession
and territory granted should revert to
that country.
This claim is discredited by provision
IN the contract authorizing the French
company to sell its franchise and prop
earty to an individual or to another COM
,Dany, it being provided, however, that a
sale should not be made to government.
In November, 1903. the province OF Fan
anna seeded from Colombia. This sur
prised nobody because there had been 81
more or less rampant revolutions in Pan
anna in 50 years. Panama declared itsel1
to be an independent republic and II
about three days was recognized as sucf
by the United States. Twelve days
later it was recognized by nearly all the
powers of Europe and also by Japan
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