The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-27

Or. Alfredo J. Alfaro, Panamanlan
Minister.
territory" The confusion arising from
this clause is not hard to understand.
For many years Panamanians have
felt that it gave the United States
sovereign power; and in the Pan
American conference at Havana in
1928 the Panamanian delegate, DR.. AL
fredo ]. Alfaro, strenuously objected
when it was intimated that this was
the truth. 1t was he who signed the
new treaty for Panama, where he ex-
poets to run for president in 1887.
U. S. Must Buy Land.
Under the old treaty the United
States could acquire by right Of emf
nent domain lands and waters outside
the Canal Zone (which may be neces-
sary and convenient for the construc-
ton, maintenance, operation, SANTA
ton and protection of the canal.
Technically, of course, this could have
been regarded as giving the United
States the right to take over any terri
tory in the isthmian republic. Such a
lien" could hardly allow the nation a
clear title to it's own property, and
certainly would have made territorial
agreements with other nations embar-
RAISING. The new arrangement takes
away the United States right to ac-
quire territory by condemnation, but
gives Uncle Sam the right to acquire
it by purchase.
At present the Panamanian city of
Colon is separated from the rest Of
the republic by the Canal Zone, but
the new treaty provides corridor of
connection across the zone.
By the treaty of 1908, the Panama
Railway company, whose shares are
owned entirely by the United States
government, was given the sole right
of communication across the isthmus.
Panam itself was forbidden to build
an automobile highway to cover the
Al miles from Panama City to Colon;
under the new treaty, such highway
will be constructed.
The railway company has been OPP
Grating commissaries along its right of
way; these were originally intended to
serve only American employees, but
Panama merchants claim the commits
saries have been doing thriving tour
list business and want the business
themselves. Now they will get it.
Terminate Gold Payment.
Now that the American dollar has
been devalued, the treaty will allow
the United States to make its annual
payments to Panama in balboas, the
Panamanian unit of currency, instead
of in gold coins. The 100000 balboas
which constitute the annual payment
are worth a little more than the $780,
900 in gold formerly paid every year.
To date it has not become known
what the United States army and navy
think of the new pact, but this will
come out when it is placed before the
senate for ratification. 1t can be con-
strued as weakening American control
over the canal, and for that reason
may fail to make the grade.
The Navy department, under the new
agreement, already has turned over
two radio stations to the Panama gov
eminent, and new agreements for the
regulation of radio communication
have been reached.
MAY Remove Customs Collector.
The United States still maintains a
collector of customs in the Dominican
republic. to assure that the Dominican
debt to this country Is properly serv-
iced. This officer is something of an
irritation to the citizens there.
When the conference of American
nations gets under way this summer,
there is little likelihood that the pur-
poses of preserving the peace will be
carried so far as to establish "league
of nations" for the western hemis-
phere. What is more likely is joint
treaty which all nations can rely on
TO aid settlement of disputes.
ANY agency so created would prob
ably be given the right to investigate
the causes of disputes. to try to effect
cancellations and, if necessary, to sit
as a board of arbitration. 1t is i'm
probable that any real instrument,
such as sanctions, for enforcing de-
cisions will be agreed upon.
@ Western Newspaper Union.