Evening star., 1924-05-25
TREATIES HEAL WOUNDS
U. S.. Colombia and Panama Now More i'm Accord

relations, exchange ministers and set
tie on what constitutes the boundary
between them. Colombia recognized
Panama as an Independent nation.
Panama thanks Colombia for such
recognition and most enjoyable time
was had by all
In the mean time, the final stems
are being taken in drawing up the
new treaty between the United States
and Panama. The original treaty ne
gotiated between the United States
and Panama when the canal was built
was interpreted by what has come to
be known as the Taft agreement made
by Mr.. Taft when he was Secretary of
War under Roosevelt. Since that
agreement came into effect Panama
has found 1t hard not to become bit
Jealous of the canal and the canal
territory's development under the
United States. She has seen the canal
grow to d paying business. The army
OF canal workers are fed through
United States systems of marketing
and storage. They are transported on
United States railroads. They live
and profit within a narrow stretch of
territory SO close, yet so far, from
Panamas domain that the contrast
in conditions hurts. Panama expecf
ed big things from the canal True
there might have been no Panama if
there had been no canal, yet Panama
mas II hard to see such golden treas
reach. yet as far without her grasp
as if it never existed To make a long
story short, Panama feels the United
States has gone into the canal bust
ness as commercial proposition and
is making money. while she is left
high and dry and too much out of il
to suit her taste.
To Smooth Out Difficulties,
The new treaty between the United
States and Panama will attempt TO
smooth out all he difficulties which
have arisen since the canal was
placed in operation. The Taft agree
ment, made many years ago, did not
smooth out all the difficulties which
have been made since that time. Some
questions have never been settled
satisfactorily. Panama wants to know
just what right the United States
has and how far it may go in utiliz-
ing the Canal Zone for commercial
purposes. She wants to settle with
the United States the future methods
of land acquisition. She wants To
know whether this land will be valued
at past or present prices. Then there
is the question of the amount of CO
operation the United States will eN-
tend to Panama in road building, and
the points at which Panama'S roads
Will JOIN tnOSe Dullt by the On1ten
States. Such a question as where the
government of Panama may bridgr
the canal has never been definitely
settled. and the use of the airplane
has brought up the need for regula
tions concerning Panama's right to
fly machines over the canal Panama
has made clear that she does not
want to jeopardiZe the canal defenses.
but growth and development have
necessitated new agreements as 1"
what she may and may not do where
the Canal Zone is concerned.
President Porras of Panama has re-
|cently issued a decree which will per-
nit foreign governments to establish
upon due application, landing fields
and fuel stations for airplanes. The
decree was issued in response to Il
request from the United States gov
ernment for permission to establish
such fields at Ceiba and Pedregal, in
connection with projected aerial
flights and maneuvers. While the
decree gives permission to foreign
governments" Panama will see that
the interests of the United States are
safeguarded in granting permission
to anybody else.