The New York herald., 1921-04-19

Varilla Treaty on which rests our
title TO the Canal Zone and by which
Panama received the $10,00o,000 plus
$3.50, 900 annual rental which the Co
lombian Government had first solicited
and then rejected.
.. The certainty that when the
revolution occurred President RoosE-
WELT, at the suggestion of his eminent
friend and adviser in international
law. DR.. JOHN BAssETr MOORE, was
considering an altogether different
solution OF the problem, namely, a
proceeding to assert the right Of canal
construction under the transit provi-
sions Of the Treaty of 1846 with New
Granada. The treaty clause upon
which was based the policy con-
sidered by ROOSEVELT will be found in
Article XXXV. of the convention:
'rThe Government OF New Granada
[CoTombial guarantees to the Gov
ernment OF the United States that
the right OF transit across the 18th
mus OF Panama upon any modes of
communication that now exist or
thar may be hereafter constructed
shall be open and free to the Gov
ernment OF the United States" &C.
1t is not important to inquire how
practically the Treaty of 1S46 might
have served as a means for avoiding
the Nicaragua alternative of the
Spooner act. 1t is OF the greatest
Importance. however. to remember
that RoosEvELr's thoughts were run
ming in this direction, and not toward
the promotion of a secession move
ment in Panama, at the time when
the actual occurrence OF revolution
and secession by Panama, absolutely
without his procurement or aid,
opened the way for sound legal and
diplomatic procedure.
The consummation Of the revolu-
tionary movement steered by BUNAU-
VARuLA and executed by DR.. ANA
DOR and his associates on the Isthmus
rendered unnecessary resort to the
Treaty of 1916: but the evidence is
clear that the latter course and not
the abetting of revolution was the
course in contemplation by ROOSEVELT
3. The word of THEODORE RoosE-
WELT himself. On November 10, 1908,
seven days after the bloodless Bunau-
Varilla-Amador revolution. the Pres
ident authorized the distinct state
ment 10 q Washington correspondent
II The New YORK HERALD that a
short time before the revolution he
had not expected an explosion of
statement it was pointed out that
the message which he was preparing
during October contained request
to Congress to decide once more and
definitely between Nicaragua and
Panama. 1t was then disclosed that
he had asked the opinion Of JOHN
BAssETT MOORE as to the possibility
of constraining Colombia TO accept
the construction of the canal on the
strength of the Treaty Of bS46. DR..
MOORE had advised him that the
United States had the unquestionable
right TO exercise such pressure
Accordingly the President was
willing TO leave the whole question
to Congress to decide. Nothing could
be hoped for from Colombia. and it
was either a question of opening ne
gotiations with Nicaragua or begin
ming the canal at Panama without
the consent Of Colombia and under
our rights OF the Treaty with New
Granada"
Does anybody believe that RoosE-
yEIT told the untruth about this?
Does anybody believe that JOHN HAY
lied in order 10 defraud Colombia Of
legitimate claim to compensation
4. The despatch Of the Nashville
from Kingston to Colon at the exact
time Of the revolution and the adj
vance orders from Washington has
tening other naval ships TO the 18th
mus are circumstances which have
been proclaimed over and over again
by the Roosevelt assailants as proof Of
his completely. The inference Is non
sensical. The coincidence proves
nothing more than that the Admins
tratfon xyaS Informed aS 10 Tho state