Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-04-15

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seen whether or not they can and, will adhere to the con-
victions which they have reached in spite of the very
loud and emphatic protests against the course toward
which, it is understood, they lean.
THE TREATY.
The discussion of the pending treaty with Colombia
recalls the controversy associated with the acquisition Of
the Panama canal strip by the United States, and Incl
dentally brings UP the entire subject of the canal and its
building.
The discovery of America by Columbus was one of
the great events of the worlds history, but the chief ac-
tors in that drama had but a faint understanding of the
importance of what they had done. The hope Of the cx-,
plorcrs was not to discover a new continent, but to find
a more direct route to an old one. India was the goal
sought, and America was regarded chiefly as an obstacle
to be circumvented. The great mass of land stretched
for an unknown distance toward either pole, effectually
barring the way to the Indian ocean. AS the islands of the
Caribbean were passed the hope was entertained that the
last obstacle had been passed, but presently the main land
was reached and, narrow though it was, it was impen-
etrable. The southern route around was long and diff
cult and the northern, undiscovered for centuries, was
impracticable. Attention became conferred on the posi-
bility Of cutting through.
In 1850 the United States and Great Britain, Jointly
interested in the development Of the western continent,
entered into a treaty which provided that the two nations
should exercise joint control over any canal which should
be cut across the isthmus, and that the use of such canal
should be open to all nations on equal terms. In the Hay
Pauncefote treaty Of 1901 Great Britain relinquished her
rights of supervision and control, the United States as
Stunning full charge, the consideration being a continual
ton Of the provisions for the neutrality and common use
of the canal on equal terms. Ef#|"t 7%: -
Until the beginning of this. century the Nicaragua
route for an inter-oceanic canal had been favored. A
French company had attempted the construction OF a
canal by the Panama route, but had met disaster. An
American commission reported in favor of the Panama
route, and efforts were made to obtain from Colombia,
OF which country Panama was then a province, the right
to construct a canal along the route subsequently used.
Colombia proved a difficult customer to deal with.
She found herself in possession of something which, while
she could not use it herself, was needed by a greater
nelghbOr, and her government started to haRele for terms
The disposition of the Colombian government was so man
ifestly to hold up the United States that the futility of
negotiations became manifest. -
Panama revolted, declaring her separation from Co
lombia and y the creation of a new republic. The United
States had acquired the Panama railroad, and there were
American citizens and American property interests on
both sides of the isthmus. Under existing treaties the
United States had assumed responsibility for tn, main
tenance Of order in the territory adjacent to her holdings.
and Immediately following Panama's secession the United
States warned all persons against military operations IN
that district. Immediate recognition was given to the
new Republic of Panama, the cession Of the present canal
zone was obtained from its government, and construction
of the canal was presently begun.
The charge has been made that the Panama revolt
was engineered from Washington, and that President
Roosevelt had an American war vessel conveniently to
hand with which to enforce his injunction against mill
tary operations, and that thereby Colombia was prevented
from forcibly suppressfng the revolution. On the basis
of these allegations Colombia formulated a grievance, de-
manding compensation from the United States for the
injuries which she was alleged to have sustained.
Charges of American bad faith were categorically
denied by President Roosevelt and by many others con-
versant with the facts. In support Of these denials at
tention was called to numerous historic facts, among
them the following: The Panama had long existed as a
separate state; that her union with Colombia has been
vigorously opposed by a considerable number of her
people, and that the spirit Of revolt had always been pres.
ent; that in taking steps to maintain peace in the district
where her people were particularly interested the United
States merely followed the course which she was re-
quired to follow by the terms Of her treaties with all the
Central American countries; that before the American
aPnin ~ hoo Sar,nI <h> $500 $500 y
complete Possession Of the Panama forces: that the. COL
ombian garrisons had been withdrawn by the Colombian
government, which had considered Residence to the revo-
lutionary movement to be hopeless. According to this
view the -Panama revolution was an accomplished fact
without American Intervention, and before such interven.
ton had been possible. The position Of Colombia was that
to regain her ascendancy she must make war on and
invade q province which had passed completely from her
control from which all her troops had been withdrawn,
which she had abandoned.
The pending treaty with Colombia provides for the
payment to that country SIS. oeo, 900 in settlement Of all
claims which she may have against the United states,
Inserted in the text is an expression Of regret that any
thing should have occurred to disturb the friendly rela-
tons between the two nations. It is around this express
sion Of regret that the controversy had waved. CONGRESS
would long since have voted the 325, 100000 in compen-
sation for sny losses, actual or theoretical, which Colon
bia had sustained through the transfer Of a portion Of her
former territory to. the United States. But those WHO'D
pose the treaty do % on the ground that the expression
Of regret IL an admission. Of wronsdoing. and that such m
admission, where no wrong has been done. 10 inexcusable.
The Fargo Courier News likes the article On sor4h
Dakoa publshsd in the Nauon-ell but the part Which
describes the profits made ~ the Drake mar. Il, 500
thaA We considered that rather the mose entertaining
PARAGRAPH Of the entire article.
n ny paraats which preys on potato beetles -.
been found in sppsr Michigan. Nov before swattinx
the ~ lt " make surs that II q moi on Of the and
1s e. s - ssae.