The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1921-04-21
Thursday April q, 1921.
SENATE SHOULD NOT SUBMIT
TO COLOMBIA HOLDUP.

If the friendship of the republic o
Colombia must be bought at the ex
pense of the good name of Theodor,
Roosevelt then it is not worth tn,
price, and the senate of the United
States should so declare by rejecting
the treaty now under consideration
The digging of the Panama canal was
the greatest achievement in the ca
reer of Theodore Roosevelt, and in
doing so he establishes a permanent
safeguard TO this country one that
becomes tremendous advantage in
times Of peace and protection of
the greatest Importance in case Of
war. How he secured the right across
the isthmus was told i'm detail by
Colonel Roosevelt after he retired
from the presidency in an article i'm
the outlook magazine and which is
published in full on another page OF
this issue of the Miner 1t is most
interesting at this time, giving every
step taken from the time the first
move was made to secure the right Of
way across the isthmus down to the
treaty with the republic of Panama
ceding the canal zone and finally
opening the way for digging the great
ditch. SO far from wronging Colon
bia, Colonel Roosevelts statement
shows that this government negotiat- |
ed a treaty with the representatives
OF Colombia which was ratified by
the senate, but which was rejected by /.
the Colombian congress; and even /
alter the successful revolution by /
Panama and the United States had .
secured its rights to construct the
canal an offer was made by this gov
eminent to make reasonable conces-
sions to Colombia and that these
friendly oyertures were rejected. The
statement by Colonel Roosevelt
throws flood of.nght upon all the
negotiations with Colombia and deal
ings with Panama, and should be read
by all who desire to arrive at a just
conclusion on the question
Colonel Roosevelt told the truth.
The whole truth and nothing but the
ruth, regarding his actions in deal
ng with both Colombia and Panama g
n connection with the canal lie was
incapable of doing anything else. If
Colonel Roosevelt had one character
site that stood out more conspicu-
'usly than all others. it was his de- G
lire to render absolute justice in his %
lealngs with both men and nations d"
md no one can read his version Of q"
he negotiations with Colombia with u.
mt being convinced that he went to ="
he limit in his efforts to accomplish 10
hat desire
In urging the senate to ratfy the VI
realty with Colombia which provides 81
Or the payment of s25.OOOOOO to that ''
epubhc. President Harding is no "
oubt actuated solely boy a desire to 'e
remote a friendly relationship be %
ween this country and Colombia, and Ell
with all other South Am 1"
rican republics. The people expect "
he president to take this attitude "
nder ordinary circumstances. but
hen the measure designed to pro NJ
tote friendship and commercial ad-
antages implies a brand of dishonor
pom one who was loved and honored
y his countrymen and who is held le
grateful memory for the great SER D.,
zee he rendered his country. it should AT
2 promptly and decisively rejected. We
his country owes Colombia nothing, an
Id to ratify the treaty requiring the to
,yment of s25,OOOOOo to that coun- t-
y would be nothing less than sub Tn
lifting to blaclmai. m,