The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-12-24
EUROPE BELATED
IN j. S.-PANAMA
TREATY PROTEST
Central American Republic
Has Long Had Status Of
ProteCtorate.
BY William Philip Simms


ing in Europe as a result of the pend
ing treaty between the United States
and the republic of Panama clarity
ing the status of Panama Canal.
The Panama republic has been a
United States protectorate since Nov.
3, 1908. Not officially, perhaps, but
in fact. Thus any treaty that does
not actually make present of the
canal zone to somebody else, can do
nothing more than change few de-
tails.
The Hay-Bunau Varilla treaty of
1903 gave this country, in addition
to the ordinary canal rights, the
power to do anything and every
thing in the Panama republic which
Washington might consider neces-
sary for the health, public order and
safety of that region.
The new treaty, first announced
in July Of this year, merely dots a
few as" and crosses a few It's" 1t
specifies that Panama shay be a
party to any war In which the
United States is engaged, turns the
country over to us during any actu-
al or threatened hostilities, grants
freedom of movement of troops,
ships or supplies over Nher land or
waters and places aviation. wire
less and cable affairs under our con-
troll.
Right of Inspection
Panama can run her own affairs,
so long as they do not conflict with
Canal Zone interests. And to make
sure that there will be no such con-
flict the United States will have the
right to inspect, and If necessary in
tervene for the purpose Of safeguard
ing such interests.
In Panama there is a faction
hostile to the new treaty. There has
always been an anti-American fac
ton there and doubtless there al
ways will be. This is only natural.
It's population of 1000 has the
same yearning to be a great and free
people that the Ills, 100000 persons
in our own country have. But fate
has put them in a militarily and
economically strategic spot such as
there are in only one or two other
regions on earth and being too weak
must do it for them. If it isn't the
United States, then it will be one Of
the other great powers.
Europe, however, is egging Pana-
ma on to make trouble, If she can.
Hatred of America and all things
American inspires the old world to
take this stand 1t is therefore up
to the Panamanians to think for
themselves and make the best of
what, for the time being, at least,
is an unavoidable situation.
But it is equally up to Washing
ton to make it's protectorate over
Panama as little irksome as possible.
For, now that the great canal has
been dug, it becomes, whether we
wish it or not, the most vital link In
our chain of national defense. Were
it in the hands of another great
doubled or tripled and our Army
power our Navy would have to be
multiplied several times over. Our
taxes for the support Of our national
defense would, of necessity, become
enormous.
An interoceanic waterway across
Central America has always been
considered vital. Columbus made in
quiries among the natives If they
knew Of a natural passage to the
west of the West Indies. Balboa
searched for it. Henry Clay, in 1925,
70 hn
Aaron Palmer of New York, ac-
tually secured a contract with the
Central American republic to build
one, but fell dowAnwhen it came to
raising the money-then estimated
at $4,000, 900. The French began it
in 1883 and the United States took
it over in 1903 and pushed it to COM
pletion.
Serves AS Buffer State
The republic Of Panama, to cut
out the hypocrisy, was created by
the United States in that year as a
sort of holding concern, or buffer
State for the greater security of the
canal.
Panama, in 1908 was a province Of
Colombia. But when Colombia re-
jected the canal treaty framed by
the Rooseelt administration things
began to happen and happen fast.
This is the approximate schedule:
Oct. 31.-Colombia kicks the treaty
to death.
Noy. 3.-Panamanian independ-
ence is declared.
Nov. 6.-The United States recog-
rfizes Panama.
Nov. 1S.-New Hay-Varilla treaty
signed at Washington.
Dec. New treaty ratified by
Panama.
Thus Europe's absurd display Of
excitement over the pending treaty,
and its characterization by certain
old world critics as degrading to
Panama" comes a little late.
Panama has been an American pro-
tectorate since birth.