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QUESTION OF CANAL ROUTE
NOW IRREVOCABLY DECIDED
President Roosevelt So Announ
ces in His Message Io
the Congress.
SITUATION SIMPLY THIS:
■wmiw
Reference to Army Promotions Is
Construed as Being- on the Nom
ination of General Wood.
Panama Question Tully
Dealt With.
Washington, December 7.—The features
of the president’s message today were
his reference to jeomotions in the army,
and the conditions loading up to and sur
rounding the recognition of Panama. It
is taken here by many that the army
reference was intended to have divert
’earing on the Wood promotion when the
president says, referring to the advance
ment of men after they leave West Point:
"No brilliancy, no amount of hard
work, no eagerness in the perform
ance of duty, can advance him, and
no slackness or indifference that falls
short of a courtmartial offense can
retard him. Until this sytem is
changed, we cannot hope that cur of
ficers will be of as high a grade as
we have a right to expect. - ’
In muling with the Panama canal, the
pr< inent says that it was simply a ques
tion of route, and not the country to be
•halt with: and that as the route has
irrevocably decided, it is only a
question as to whether a canal shall be
built. The message, in part, follows:
The President's Message’
! Hi- s. nate and House of Represen
tatives; The country is to be congrat
ulated o.i the amount of substantial
a'hi. cement which has marked the past
year both as regards our foreign and as
regards our domestic policy.
With a nation as with a man, the most
imp-.rt.int things are those of the house
1. • 1 and therefore the country- is espe
cially to be congratulated on what has
been accomplished in the direction of pro
viding for the exercise of supervision over
the great corporations and combinations
ot corporations engaged in. Interstate com
merce.
Corporations.
’.'he congress has . reat> d the department
of commerce and labor. Including the bu
reau of corporations, with for the first
time authority to secure proper publicity'
of such proceedings of these great cor
porations as the public has the right to
know, it has provided lor the expediting
<-.’ suits for the enforcement of the fed-
< r.il anti-trust law; and by another law
it has secured cqua] treatment to all
r educers in the transportation of their
* ods, thus taking a long stride forward
I:: making effective the work of the In
ter state commerce commission.
Department of Commerce and Labor.
I’he establishment of the department of
•mmerce and labor, with the bureau ot
corp -ration thereunder, marks a real ad
x .n. in the direction of doing all that
1- possible for the solution of the ques-
’ s vitally affecting capitalists and
> .g workers. The act creating the de-
.-men was approved on February’ 14.
1903. ar.d two days later the head of the
< partment was nominated and confirmed
by the senate. Since then the work of
: ga.izati.m has been pushed as rapidly
. th initial appropriations permitted
d with dr.- regard to thoroughness and
t., ui. J pi;--; wes which the department
.'-■signed t-j serve. After the transfer
th-.- various bureaus and branches <o
d !•:.rtmert at th. beginning of the
n t fiscal year, as pt >vi< d so: in the
tin per.'-mnei comprised 1.289 ern
es In hi igton at d 8.836 in the
■ untry at large. Th. scope of the depart
.... duty and authority embraces the
• mmerciai and industrial interests of
: . it i >t d med t restrict
■•i irol the fullest liberty of legitimate
. . action, but to secure exact and.
: . h Wil! aid the
... tn., in enforcing xisting laws, and
, will •noble the congress to enact
■ivnaj legislation, If any should lie
• i. . -.-ary. in order to prevent the
. . privil* ges at th
of diminished opportunities tor the
Surplus Is Disappearing-.
from all sources, exclusive, of the postal
the receipts of the government
... ggregat; I $560,-
396 674 The expenditures for the same
w»-re 5506.099.007, the surplus for
t . al vear being $54,297,667. The In
arc that th- surj lu- for the
EIGHT REASONS
why Scott’s Emulsion is an
ideal food-medicine.
1. It is partly pre-digested
a id therefore passes quickly
into the blood.
2. It imposes no tax upon
the stomach or other digest
ive organs.
3. It does not cause
fermentation such as usually
results from ordinary food
when the stomach is weak.
4. Its action is mild and
even, insuring the greatest
nourishment with the least
effort.
5. Its quality is always
uniform.
6. It feeds and strengthens
the bones, blood, nerves and
tissues.
7. It is one of the greatest
flesh producers known to
medical science.
8. It is palatable and
agreeable to the taste and
easily taken.
Well send you a sample free upon request.
SCOTT & BOWNE, 409 Pearl Street, N. Y.
present fiscal ye.ar will be very small, if
indeed there bo any surplus. From July
to November tne receipts from customs
were, approximately, $9,000,000 lerzs than
the receipts from the same source for a
corresponding portion of last year. Should
this decrease continue at the same ratio
throughout the fiscal year, the surplus
would be reduced by, approximately, $30.-
000.000. Should the revenue from cus
toms suffer much further decrease dur
ing the fiscal year, the surplus would
vanish. A large surplus is certainly un
desirable. The need of strict economy in
our expenditures Is emphasized by the
face that we cannot afford to be par
simonious In providing for what Is essen
tial to our national well-being.
The Integrify of our currency Is beyond
question, and under present conditions
It would be unwise and unnecessary to at
tempt a reconstruction of our entire
monetary system. The same liberty should
be granted the secretary of the treasury
to deposit customs receipts as is granted
him in the deposit of receipts from other
sou roes.
Immigration and Naturalization.
We cannot have too much immigration
of the right kind, and we should have
none at all of the wrong kind. The need
Is to devise some system by which un
desirable Immigrants shall be kept out
entirely, while desirable immigrants are
properly distributed throughout the coun
try. At present some districts which need
Immigrants have none; and in others,
where the population is already congested.
Immigrants come in such numbers as to
depress the conditions of life for those
already there. During the last two years
the Immigration service at Now York has
been greatly improved, and the corrup
tion and inefficiency which formerly ob
tained there have been eradicated. This
service has .fust been investigated by a
committee of New York citizens of high
standing. Their report is now Receiving
the attention of the secretary of com
merce and labor.
The special investigation of th<> subject,
of naturalization under the direction of
the attorney general, and the consequent
prosecutions, reveal a. condition of affe it s
calling for the immediate attention of the
| congress. Forgeries and perjuries of
shameless and flagrant, character have
been perpetrated, not only in the dense
centers of population, but throughout the
country; and it is established beyond
doubt that very many so-called citizens
of the United States have n.> title what
ever to that right, and are asserting .end
enjoying the benefits of the same through
the grossest frauds.
It is never to be forgotten that citizen
ship is. to quote the words recently used
by the supreme court of the United States
an ‘‘inestimable heritage,' - whether it pro
ceeds from birth within the country oi
ls obtained by naturalization; and we
poison tne sources of our national charac
ter and strength at the fountain, if the
privilege is c: limed and exercised without
right, and by means of fraud and corrup
tion. The body politic cannot be sound
and healthy If many of its constituent
members claim their standing through the
prostitution of the high right and call
ing of citizenship. It should mean some
thing to become a citizen of the United
States; and In the process no loophole
whatever should be left open to fraud.
Frauds and Frauds.
Recent investigations have sh wn a.
deplorable state of affairs in these three
matters of vital concern. Uy various
frauds and by forgeries and perjuries thou
sands of acres of the public domain,
embracing lands of different character
and extending through t arious sections
of the country, have been dishonestly
acquired. It is hardly necessary to urge
the importance of recovering these dis
honest acquisitions, stolen from the peo
ple, and of promptly and dyly punish
ing the offenders. 1 speak in another
part of this message of the widespread
crime s by which the sacred right of < it
iz-.nsnip is falsely asserted ami that “In
estimable heritage” perverted to base
ends. Uy similar me; ns—that is. tlir >ugh
frauds, forgeries and perjuries, and by
shameless bribe'les—-the laws relating to
the proper conduct of the public service
in general and to the due administra
tion of the postoffice department have
b<en notoriously violated, and many in
dicements have been found, and the con
sequent prosecutions are in course of
hearing or on the eve thereof. For the
reasons thus indicated, and so that the
government may be prepared to enfor-o
promptly and with the gr, atvSt effect the
due penalties for such violations of law.
and to this end may be furnished with
sufficient instrumentalities and compe
tent legal assistance for the investiga
tions and trills which will be necessary
at many different points of the coun
try. I urge upon the congress the neces
sity of making the said appropriation
available for immediate use for all such
purposes. to be expended under the di
rection of the attorney general.
St. ps have been taken by the state de
partment looking to the making of bribery
an extraditable offense with foreign pow
ers. The need of more effective treaties
covering this crime is manifest. The
exposures and prosecutions of official
corruption in St. Louis, Mo., and other
cities and states hav* r; suited in a num
ber of givers and takers of bribes be
coming fugitives in foreign lands
Bri ry has not be 11 ex luded in extra
dition treaties heretofore, as the neces
sity for it has not arisen. While there
rr.av have been as much official corrup
tion it: former years, th're has been
more developed and brought to light in
the irnrnedate j ast than in the preceding
century of our country's history. it
should be the policy of the United States
to leave no place on earth where a cor
rupt man fleeing from this country can
rest tn pence. There is no reason why
bribery should not be Included in all
treaties as extraditable. Tlie ic-nt
anitndi-d tre.-py with .Mexico, whereby
this crime was put in the list of extra
ditable offenses, has established a salu
tary precedent fn this regard. Uml'r
tais treaty the state dei i-tment has
asked, and Mexico has grant-'d. the ex
tradition of one of the St. Louis bribe-
There can be no crim.- more serious
than bribery. Other offenses violate one
law. while corruption strikes at th foun
dation of all law
Alaskan Boundary.
For several years past the rapid devel
opment of Akuka a.'.d the establishment
ot growing American interests In regions
theretofore ttnsui v> yed and imperfectly
known brought into prominence the
urgent necessity of .1 practical demarca
tion of the boundaries between the ju
risdictions of the United States and Gent
Britain. Although the treaty of 11525 be
tween Great Britain and Russia, the pro
visions of which were copied in tin- treaty
of 1867. whereby Russia conveyed Alaska
to the United States, was positive as to
tlie control, first by Russia and later by
the United States, of a strip of territory
along the continental mainland from the
western shore of Portland canal to Mount
St. Elias, following and surrounding the
Indentations of th- coast and including the
islands to the westward, its description of
the landward margin of the strip was in
definite. resting 011 the supposed existence
of a continuous ridge or range 01 moun
tains skirting the coast, as figured in the
charts of the early navigators. It had at
no time been possible for either party in
interest to lay down, under the authority
of the treaty, a line so obviously exact
according to Its provisions as to command
the assent of the other. For nearly thr< c
fourths of a century the absence of tan
gible local interests demanding the exer
cise of positive jurisdiction on eitlur side
of the border left the question dormant.
In 1878 questions of revenue administra
tion on the Stikino. river led to the estab
lishment of a provisional d. marcation,
crossing the channel between two high
peaks on either side about, twenty-four
miles above the river mouth. In 1899
similar questions growing out of the ex
traordinary development of mining inter
ests in the region about the head of
Lynn canal brought about a temporary
modus vlvendl. by which a convenient
separation was made at the watershed
divides of the White and Chilkoot passes
and to the north of Klukwan, on the
Klehini river. These partial and tenta
tive adjustments could not, in the very
THE WEEKLY €X)NS?mOTION« ATLANTA, GA.. MONDAY. DECEMBER 14, 1903.
nature of things, be satisfactory or last
ing. A permanent disposition of the mat
ter became imperative.
By award the right of the United States
to the control of a continuous strip or
border of the mainland shore, skirting
all tho tide-water inlets and sinuosities
of the coast, is confirmed; the entrance
to Portland canal (concerning which le
gitimate doubt appeared’! is defined as
passing by Tongass inlet and to the
northwestward of Wales and Pearse isl
ands: a lino is drawn from the head of
Portland canal to the 56th uegree if
north latitude; and the interior border
line of the strip is fixed by lines con
necting certain mountain stmmits lying
bc'ween Portland canal and Mount St.
Elias, and running along the crest of
the divide separating the c slope
from the Inland watershed nt th? only
part of the frontier where the drain:; re
ridge approaches the coast within tho
distance of 10 marine leagues stipulated
by the treaty as the ex'reme width if
the strip around the heads of Lynn ca
nal and its branches.
While the lino oo traced follows th;
provisional demarcation of 1878 at the
crossing of tho Stikine river, and that
of 1899 a: the summits of th-' -White and
f'hilkoot passes, it rims much farthei
inland from the Klelrnl than the tem
porary line of the later modus vivendi.
anel leave.” tho entire mining district es
the Porcupine river and Glacier creek
within the jurisdiction of the United
States.
Relations with Turkov and C’hlna. anel
the rural free delivery system. good
roads and the St. Louis’ exposition are
treated in brief.
Irrigation.
The work of reclamxtiem of the arid
lands eif the west is progressing steadily
and satisfactorily unel>r tho terms of the
law setting aside the proceeds from the;
disposal of publie’ lane’s. 'l’he corns of
engineers known as the reclamation
service, which is eondu’ting tlie surve-s
anel examinations, has be; n thoroughly
erganlzed. osnocuil pains being taken to
secure under tho civil-,-, rvico rides a
body of skilled, experienced and e-fficie nt
mon. Survevs ee l e-x ;; ii.ia;ions are: pro
gressing throughout the arid states ai’d
territories, plans fen- reclaiming works
be ing prepared anel passerl upon
by boards of engineers before
approval by tho secretary of
the Interior. Tn Arizona and Ne
vada. in localities where such work
is |>reominohtß- needed, construction has
already bee.n bonim. Tn o’hor parts of
the ’.rid west various proji'is ar. well
advanced towarel the drawing up of con
tracts. these being delayed in part by
necessitb s- of reaching agreements ■ r un
derstanding as regards rights of way or
acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works con 1 omplated for construction are
of national importance, involving inter
state questions or the scouring of stable
self-supporting communities in the midst
of vast tracts of vacant land. Tho na
tion as a whole is. of course, the gainer
by th'- creation of these homos, add'ng
as they do to th'- wealth and stabilby
of the country, and furnishing a home
market for tho products of tlie oast and
south. The reclamation law. while per
haps pot ideal, appears at present to an
swer the larger needs for which it is
designed. Further legislation is not rec
ommended until the necessities of change
ata- mor.- apparent.
Preservation of Forests.
The study of tho opportunities of recla
mation of the vast extent of arid land
shows that whether this reclamation is
done by individuals, corporations or the
state, the source of water supply must
be effectively protected and Hie res; r
voirs guarded by the preservation of 'lie
forests at tlie headwaters of the streams.
The <nglneers making the preliminary
examinations continually emphasize this
need and urge that the remaining public
lands at tlie headwaters of :he impor
tant streams of the west be i< •rv • d to
insure permanency of waiter supply for
Irrigation. Mu. h progress in forestry
has been made during tlie past year.
Tlie necessity for perpetuating our forest
reserves, wheHier in ȟblb or private
hands, is recognized now as never beiore.
'1 he demand for forest reserves has be
come insistent in the w.-t, because the
west must use the watir, wood and
summer range which only such reserv-s
can supply Progress:! v> liimberrn’a are
striving, through forestry, to gave their
business permanence. Oth-r gi .H busi
ness interests .arc awakening to the need
of forest preservation as a business mat
ter. The government’s- forest work
should receive from congress hearty sup
port. .and cspf.-ially simp-art adequate for
the protection ol ;••>. tore-t res. rv -s
against fire. The forest reserve policy
of 'he government has passed beyond
tlie experiment al stage ami has reach-d
a condition where - l< ntili ■ methods are
essential to its succe-sful pros-.-ution.
The administrative features r>f for. -t re
serves are at present unsatisfactory, be
ing divided be: ween till..- bureaus of two
d.-ii-n tment-. ft 1 therefore recom
mended that all matters n-rtalning to
forest r.’-ser\-;--. ex.-ens those involving
or pertaining to land titb s, be consoli
dated in the bur'an ot forestry of flic
department of agriculture.
Cotton Weevil.
The cotton growing states have re
cently been invaded by a weevil that
has don’, much damage ad threatens
the entire cotton industry. I suggest
tlie congress the prompt enactment of
such rem-’dlal legislation as its judgment
Pensions.
No other class of our citizens deserve
so well of the nation as those- to whom
the nation owes its very being, the vet
erans of the civil w;;i Special attention
is asked to tin- excellent work of the |>--n
--siem bureau in expediting and disposing
of pension claims. Luring the fiscal yen’-
ending July I. 1903. the bureau settled
251.982 claims, an average of 825 claims
for each working day of the year. The
number ot settlements since July I. 1903.
lias been in excess of last year's average,
approaching 1.000 clams fo'- each work
ing day, .aid it is believed that the work
of the’ bureau wdl lie current at the
close of the present fiscal year.
Civil Service.
During the year ended June 30. last.
25.566 persons were appointed through
competitive, examinations under the civil
service rul'-s. This was 12.672 more than
during the preceding year, .and 40 per
cent of those who passed the examina
tions. Tills abnormal growth was larg; ly
occasioned by the extension of classifi
cation '.‘i the rural :r deliv 1
and the appointment last year of over
9.000 rural carriers. A revision of the
civil service rule.- took effect on April 15.
last, whi-h has greatly improved their
opera lion.
The Army.
’i’he effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff for tie am y ai d for the more
effective use of the National Guard has
been excellent. Great improvement has
been made in the efficiency of our army
in recent, years. Such schools as those
erected at Fort Lent ■ n worth and Fort
Riley and the inst It in ion of fall maneu
ver work o-cnninlisli satisfactory results.
The good efl'. - i of th«-se m.'neuvers upon
the National Guard i. innikml. .-md am
ple appropriation should be made to en
able the guardsmen of the several states
to share in the benefit The government
should as soon as passible secure suitable
permanent camp sites for military ma
neuvers in the various sections of the
country.
The only neopb- who are contented with
a system of promotion by mere seniority
are those who arc contented with the tri
umph of mediocrity over excellence. On
the other hand a system which encourag
ed the exerciso of social or political fa
voritism in promotions would be even
worse.
Ability, energy, fidelity and all other
similar qualitiis determine the rank of
a man year after tear in West Point,
fP&iBkUW D,m '
I The world-known household remedy for cuts,
? burns, bruises—coughs, colds, sore throat.
and his standing in the army when he
graduates from West Point; but from
that time on, all effort to find which
man is best or worst, and reward or
punish him accordingly, is abandoned;
no brilliancy, no amount of hard work,
no eagerness in the performance of duty
can advance him. and no slackness or in
difference that falls short of a court
martial offense l- an retard him. Until
this system is changed we cannot hope
that our officers he of as high grade
as we have a right, to expect, considering
tho material upon which we draw.
Moreover, w lien a man renders su -h
service as Captain Pershing rendered last
spring In the Moro campaign, it ought
to be possible to reward him without at
once jumping him to the grade of briga
dier general.
The Navy.
Shortly after the enunciation of that
famous principle of American foreign pol
icy now known as the “Monroe doctrine,”
President Monroe, in a special message
to congress on January 30. 1824, spoke
as follows: “The navy is the arm from
which our govern./'-nt will always derive
most aid in support of our * * •
rights. Every power engaged in war will
know tlie strength of our naval power,
the number of our ships of each class,
their condition, and the promptitude with
which wo may bring thorn into servn e,
and will pay due consideration to that
argument.”
I heartily congratulate tho congress up
on the steady progress in building up Hie
American navy 3Vo cannot afford a let
up in this great work. To stand still
moans to go back. There should he no
cessation in adding to the effective units
of tho fighting strength «,f the fleet.
Meanwhile the naw department and the
otticors of the navy are doing well their
part by providing constant service at sea
under conditions akin to those of actual
warfare. Our officers- and enlisted men
are learning to handle the battleships,
| cruisers and torpedo boats with high es
■ fieiency in fleet and squadron formations,
and the standard of marksmanship is
being steadily raided. ’Tlie best work
ashore Is indispensable, but the’ highest
duty of a naval officer Is to exer'-ise
command at sea.
Isthmian Canal.
By the act of June 28. 1902. the con
gress authorized the president to enter
into treaty with Colombia tor the building
i of tlie canal across the isthmus of Pan
ama: it being provided that in the event
of failure to secure such treaty after the
lapse of a r;. unable, time, recourse
should be had to building a canal through
Nicaragua, it has not been necessary to
consider this alternative, as J am enabled
to lay before th- senate a treaty pro
viding fop the building of the canal across
the Isthmus of I’aii'ini.i. This was the
route which eotnm nded itself to the de
liberate judgment of the congress, and we
can now acquire by treaty the tight to
construct the canal ov'-r this route. The
i question now. therefore, is not by whi'-h
rout<- the Isthmian canal shall lie built,
for that question has been definitely and
irrevocably decided. Tho >i :<sH'’’i is sim
ply whether or not we shall have an isth
mian canal.
When the eongl ess directed that we
should take tho Panama route under
treaty with Colombia, th.- essence of the
condition, of cour--.-. referred not to the
government which i-ontro’b.d that route,
but to the route itself; to the territory
across which tin- route lay. not to Hie
name which for the moment Cue territory
bore on the map. The purpose of the
l--.w was to autherize tin- president to
make i treaty wih the power in actual
control <>f the isthmus of Panama. This
purpose lias been fulfilled.
K’eview of Relations.
Tn the year 1846 tills government enter
ed into a treaty with N; w Gutmada, the
predecessor upon tlie isthmus of the re
public of Colombia and of the present re
public of Panama, by which treaty it war.
provided that the government and citi
zens of tlie United States should always
have free and open right of way of transit
across the isthmus of Panama by any
modes of communication that might be
constructed, while in r turn our govern
ment guaranteed the pm feet neutrality of
the above-mentioned 1 tlirnus with the
view that the fre. transit from the one to
the other sea might rot be interrupted >r
embarrassed. The i"caty vested in the
United States a subm.tntial property rignt
carved out of tin- righ's ot sovereignty
and property wlil.-i; 7 ■ w Granada tin-n
had and possess'd over the same terri
tory The name of New Granada lias
passed away and its territory lias been
divided. Its successor, the government
of Colombia, has e used to own any
property in the isthmus. A new republic,
that of Panama, which was at one time a
sovereign state, and at another time a
mere dcicu tment of the sticci - ,-ive con
federations known as Nev. Granada and
Colombia, lias now succeeded to the right.-;
which first one and then the other for
merly exercise;] over tlie isthmus. But
as long as Hie isthmus endures, the mere
gvog:-.-i phli-.tl t'.-i; of i:s existence, and the
peculiar Interest therein which is required
by our position, perp-.-ttiato the solemn
contract which binds the holders of tin
territory to re-sp- t our rights to livedoi'i
of transit across it. and binds us in t -
turn to safeguard for Hie isthmus and the
world, the ; xereise of that inestimable
privilege. The true interpretation of the
obligati uis upon whi h the United Stat -
entered in this treaty if 1346 has been
given repeatedly in tlie utterane; s of pres
i-lents and secretaries of state. Secret.try
Cass in 1858 oft'ieiallj' stated the p-'.-'itioti
of this government as follows:
“The progress of events has rendered
the int< i ocean!;- rout- across the narrow
portion of t'enttil Arneii.-a vastly im
portant to the commercial world, and e.-:-
j. tally to the I’tilted States, whose pos
sessions extend along Hie Atlantic and
I’aeilie coasts, and demand the speediv.se
and easiest modi s of communication.
While the rights of sovereignty of the
states occupying this region should ai
„ s be respeett d, we shall ; xpect that
these rights be exercised in a spirit In
titling the occasion and tlie wants and
e:r. nmstances that have arisen. Sov
ereignty lias its duties . s well as its
right.-, and none of th; se local gov
ernments, even it administe: ed with more
regard to the just demands of oilier na
tions than they have b; -. n. would bo per
rnitted. in a. spirit of eastern isolation,
to close Hie gates of intercourse on the
great highways of the world, and justify
th,, a.-t bv To’ pretension Hint these ave
nues Os trade and travel belong to them
and th n tin y choose to shut them. or.
wliat i.-' almost equivalent, to encumber
Ha in with such uni tst relations ns would
i t. tint titeir general use.”
Seven years later, in 1865. Mr. Seword
it different communications, took tin.- fol
lowing position:
“Tl;e United States liav.- taken and will
take no interest in any question of in
i'real revolution in the state of Panama,
or any state of the I’nited States of Co
lombia. but will maintain a pertect neu
tt rlitv in tonne; lion with such domes';. .-
alter. H'ons. The United States will,
nevertheless hold themselves ready to
protect the transit trade across the isth
mus against invasion ot ■ ther dome; n or
foreign disturbers of the peace ol Hi?
etit.. of I’an-tma ‘ ‘ ’ Neither the tex:
i or the spirit of Hie stipulation tn that
artlc’e bv which the lull'd States en
to’ preserve the neutrality ot the
isthmus of Panama, imposes an oilligation
t tl-is "Overno’ent to comply with the
r. (Os the president of th<> United
gt,,f Colombia for a torce to protect
the isthmns of Panama from a body of
insurgents of that eountrv). Tim pur
rove of the stipulation was a guarantee
tho 1-thmvs seizure or invasion
'' Mtm-nev'General Speed’, under date of
x-.w-emb;, 7 1835. ;;dvi>-d Secretary Sew
ar<l follows: . , _ .
■ From this tre.Hv it cannot be sitpnose-1
that Y'ev Glin.’lda invited the I’nited
s, .tes t.-,'become n i"Hv to the intestine
troubles of that governnw-rt. nor old Hie
i'nit,..l states become bound to take s; .es
n the rlomeslic broils of Now Granada.
The United States did guarantee New
Granada in the sovero'e.ntv and property
ov o r the territory ThH w,< ns against
other >”'i f ireign governments. ’
For 400 years, ever sin.-e shortly after
the discovery of ,his hemisphere, the
■ anal -icross the isthmus lias been
t’dann-'d. For two score yoi-Cs it h ts been
worked at When made it is to last for
the a<’os It is *o al ,p r the j’Ography
of a continent and the trade routes m the
world Wo have shown by every treaty
we have negotiated or attempted to nego
tiate' with the peoples in conti-V of the
isthmus and with foreign nations in ref
erence thereto our consistent good faith
it' observing our obligations; on tlie one
h ind to the peoples of the isthmus, and
on the other hand to the civilized world
whose commercial rights we are safe
guarding and guaranteeing by our action.
We have done our duty to others in letter
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and In spirit, and we have shown the ut
most forbearance in exacting our own
fights.
Repudiation by Colombia.
Last spring, under the act above re
erred to. a. treaty conclVled between the
ri-prescntatives of Hie republic of Co
.onibia un 1 of our government was ratified
■y the .senate. This treaty v.entered
into at th. urgent solicitation of the
people of Colombia and after a body of
experts appointed by our government
especially to go into the matter ot the
routes across tlie isthmus had pronounced
unanimously in favor of the Panama
route. In drawing up this treaty every
• on; vssion was made to th'- people and
o th- government of Colombia. We were
more than jast In dealing with them.
Our generosity was such as to make it
a serious question whether we had not
gone too far in their interest at the ex
pense of our own; for in our scrupulous
desire to pay all possible heed, not mere
ly to the real but oven to the fancied
rights of our weaker neighbor, who al
ready owed so much to our protection
and forbearance, we yield;’l In all pos
sible ways to her desires In drawing up
the treaty. Nevertlivless th-: government
of Colombia not merely repudiated the
treaty, but repudiated it in such a man
ner as to make it evident by the time the
Colombian congress adjoin rted that not
the scantest hope remained of ever get
ting a satisfactory treaty from them. Tho
aoi ermiivrt of Colombia mad': the treaty,
and .vet when Hie Colombian congress
w. s called to ratify It the vote against
ratilication was unanimous. It docs not
appear that the government made any
real effort to secure ratification.
Revolution in Panama.
Immediately after the adjournment of
the congress a revolution broke out in
Panama The people of Panama had lung
been discontented with the republic of
Colombia, and they had been kept quiet
only by lite prospect ot th.'' conclusion
of the treaty, which was to fhem a mat
ter of vital eoncern. Wh'-n it became
evident that Hie treaty was hopelessly
lost, the people of Panama rose literally
as one man. Nut a shot was tired by a
single man on the isthmus in the in
to; st of the Colombian government. Not
a. life was lost in the aicomphsitment ot
t’ne revolution. The Colombian troops sta -
tioned on tlie isthmus, who had long
been unpaid, made common with
he people of Panama, and wilh aston
ishing unanimity the new republic was
stat ted.
Course of United States.
The duty of the United States in the
premises was clear. In strict accordance
with the principles laid down by Secre
taries Cass and Seward In the official
documents above quoted. the I tiitvd
States gave notice that it would permit
tding if no cxpeditl trj f< ree, tho
arrival of which would mean chaos and
destruction along tlie line of the railroad
and of the proposed canal, and an inter
ruption of transit .is an inevitable con
sequence. The de facto government of
Panama was recognized in the following
telegram to Mr. Elirtnan:
' The people of Panama have, by ap
parently unanimous movement, dissolved
their political connection with the repub
lic of Colombia and resumed their inde
pendence. When you are satisfied that a
J.- lacto government, republi; an in form
and without substantial opposition from
1 . own people. 1: s b< ■ -,> establish.«l In
.in- state of Panama, you will enter into
relations with it as the responsible gov
ernment of the territory and look to it for
all due action to prerteet the jivrsons and
property of citizens of the United States
and to' keep open the isthmian transit,
in accordance w-ith the obligations of ex
isting treaties Governing th.- relations Jf
Illi- United states to that territory.”
The government of C” was noti
fied of our action by the following tele
gram to Mr. Beaupre:
“The people of Panama, having, by ap
parently unanimous movement, dissolved
their political eonne<-tioti with r.’::- repub
lic of Colombia and resumed their inde
pendent''. and having adopted a govern
ment of their own. republican tn ,’irm,
wilh which the government of the United
States of America has entered Into rela
tions. the president of Hie United
States, in accordance with the ties
oi friendship which have so long
and : o happily existed between the
respective nations, most <<> rttistl, com
mends to the government of Colombia tu- i
ot Panama the peaceful and equitable
settlement ot’ all questions at issue be
tween them. He holds that he Is bound
not merely by treaty obligations, but by
the interests of civilization, to see that
tlie peaceful truffle of the world across
the isthmus of Panama shall not longer
Tv disturbed by a constant succession of
unnecessary and wasteful civil wars.”
Latest Proposition of Colombia.
“Knowing Hint revolution has already
commenced in Panama (an eminent Co
lombian) says that if the government of
the United States will land troops to pre
serv.' Colombian sovj( eignty, and the
transit, it requested by Colombian charge
d'affaires, this government will declare
martial law: and. by virtue of vested
constitutional authority, when public or
der is disturbed, will approve by decree
the ratification of th” canal treaty as
signed; or, if the government of tho
United States prefers, will call extra see-
i sion of the congress—with new and fri'-nd
jly members—next May to approve the
I treaty. (An eminent Colombian} has the
i perfect contid-nee of the vice presideut.
lie savs, and if it. became necessary will
go to the 1.-tlimus cr s -nd represent 'lives
there to adjust matter'- along above lines
to the satisfaction of th. people there.”
Tins dispr.tc’n is noteworthy from iwo
standpoints. Its offer of itnmedi .tely
guaranteeing the treaty to us is in -hai'p
contrast with the positive and co temptu
; •ous refusal of the congress which lias
i just ‘ losed its s'-ssions to consider favor
> ably such a treaty: it shows that the
I government whi'-l; nmdi th- treaty re.illy
1 bad absolute control over the situation.
■ but did not choose to exercise this con
trol. Tho dlsp.iteh further calls on us
ito rest ire order and secure Colombian
I supremacy in tho isthmus, from which the
i Colombian government h.-; just by its ac
' tlou deci tod to bnr us by preventing the
I construction of the canal.
Importance of Control.
f Tho control, in the interest of the eom
-1 mcree and traffic of the whole civilized
I world, of th- means of undisturbed tran
j sit across the isthmus of Panama has
i become of transcendent importance ' >
I the United States. We have repeatedly
i exercised the control by intervening in
I Hie course of domestic dissension, and
iby protecting th territory from loreig:; ;
' invasion. In 1853 Mr. Everett .assured
the Peruvian minister that we should not
I hesitate to maintain the neutrality of
, the isthmus in the case of war b; I ween
! Peru and Colombia. lu 1864 Colombia.
I which has always been vigilant to avail I
i itself of its i'.rivileges conferred by Hi- |
■ treaty, expressed its expectation that in ,
I tho event of war between Peru and Spain j
I the United States would carry into if- I
: feet the guaranty of neutrality. Th.:— '
j have been few admii.-istratior.s of ’lie |
. state department in which this treaty -
' lias not. either by th- one side or the i
I other, been used as a basis of more or, ■
; less important demands. It was -etui •
I l.y Mr Fish in 1871 that tl : ..- department ;
: of state had reason to believe that an .
I attack upon Colombian sovereignty on -,
Hie isthmus bad. on several o visions. ’
' been averted bv warning t’rom tills gov- '
I ernment. In 1886. when Colombia w.i
under the nienttce of hostilities '.’you.-
■ Italy in lite Gerruti case. Mr. Bac.trd ex-
, on 4sed the serious concern that the i
I United States could not but feel. tT. it .1. I
I European power should resort to force I
| against a sister republic of this hem- i
. ispltere. as to the sovereign and uni’ ter- '
tooted use of a part ol whose territor.- :
we are guarantors under the- solemn faith :
of a treaty.
Tlie abov- recital of facts estaiil: u ■
beyond question: Firs', that t ■ Uni’ .1
States Iris for over half n century p .
tiently and in eood faith carried out its
oilligations under the irc-atv of 18-16:
second, that when forth.- first time it
became noss'ble for Colombia to <’o .inc •
thing in pquital of the servi. -s Huis re
peatedly rendered to it for fifty ■ = .->.n
vears by the Unite-! St.-itis. rhe Colom
bian government peremptorily and of
fensively refused tints 'o do its part,
even though to do so would hav- bc—n
to Its advantage a id Imme.isur'Jhtv to
the advantage o'’ the state of P:-t "i;.i,
tit that fima under Its jurisdiction: -li r-l.
that thremghout this perio.l rev..'lution-'.
riots and factional disturbances of every
kind have occuri'-'T one after the otli. r In
almost uninterrupted s"< cessi'm sonic < ’
them lasting for months and even fo:-
| years, while Hie oentrnl governmiut was :
unable to tut them down or t > make
peace with the rebels; fourth, that
disturbances, inst; -.1 o! showing a:’’••
sign of abving, hive tended to grow .
more numerous and mor- serious in Hi- ■
immediate past; fifth that the control of
Colombia over th- Isthmus ot I’-nami
could not be maintained without the I
armed intervention an! a~.-istm. -of -It
United States In other words Ht- gov
ernment of t’olombi t. though wh->lly un
able to maintain ordf on the istlim •
has nevertheless declined to ratify t
treaty the conclusion of w hich nod |
the only chance to secure Its own sta
bility and to guirante;- permanent pe.-o'?
on. and the construction of a canal
across, the isthmus.
Under su<-h ciicunist.inc-es tin.- govern- :
merit of the United St.H-.s would have '
; been guilty ot folly ami weakness, j
: amounting in their sum to a crime
; against tlie nation, had it acted other
i wise than it did when the revolution ..it i
i November 3 last took place in Panama. |
This great enterprise of building 1
; the Inte.roceanic canal cannot rm
‘ held up to gratify the whims, or
j out of respect to the governmental
; impotence, or to the oven more sinister
ami evil political peculiarities, of peopie
who, though they dwell afar off. yet.
against Hie wish of Hie actual dwellers
oil tho isthmus, assert an unreal suprem
acy over the territory. The possession of
a ‘territory fraught with such peculiar
capacities as th- isthmus in question car
ries with it obligations to mankind. Th
-of events has shown that this
canal cannot be built by private enter
prise, or by any other nation than our
own: therefore it must hr- built by tho ,
United States.
Treaty Is Submitted.
Every effort has been made by the :
government of th- United States to per- ,
suadc Colombia to follow a course which I
was essentially not only to our interests
arid to the interests of the world, but t '
the interr s'.s of Colombia, tis-ls. These
efforts have failed, and Colombia, by h”>
persistence in repulsing the advances
that have been made, has forced us, for
the sake of our own honor, and of the
interest ami well-being, not merely of
our own p ople. but of the people of the
isthmus of Panama ami the people of Hm
civilized countries of tne world, to Like
<i . sivi- steps to m ini-, to an end a condi
tion of affairs which had become intol
erable. The new republic of Panama im
mediately offer-d to mgotiat> a treaty
with us. Tills treaty I herewith submit.
By it our interests are better safeguarded
than in the treaty with Colombia whicii
was ratifie I by the senate at its last
session. It. Is better in ns terms than
! tin- treaties offered to ns by the republics
of Niearapmt ami <' It .-a. At last
th- right to begin this great undertaking
is mad- available. J’inania has done her
part. Al! that remains is for the. Amer
itan cotgr.-s to do .ts part and forth
with titis republic will enter upon the ex
ecution of a project colossal in its siz.-i
ami j:’ well-nigh incalculable possibilities
:<•: th- goo 1 o<- this country and the na
tions of mat.kit.d
Provisions of Treaty.
By Hie provisions of ti- treaty the
United St.tt-.' guarantees and will main
| t rip the iml; j;-nd-nee of the republic of
I Panama. Then granted to the United
States in perpetuity the use. occupation
and control of a strip ten miles wide and
extending three nautical miles Into the
sea at ’ither terminal, with all lands I.
I ing outside of the zone necessary for ti: •
I < onstr.'-t ion of the canal or for its aux
iliary works, rid with the. island.- in tlie
lay of Panama. The cities of Panama
apd Colon at- not embrav i in the can.:.
Z'.m-. but tit'- Lniled States assum’s
sanitation and, in case of need, the main
tenance ot order therein; the Uiitvi
Stat".- wiihin the granted limit-’
all the tight n l ower and authority w.il.
it would po.-ses- were it the sovei 'ign o:'
th territory to the vXi-lu.oon the
ei iso of sovereign rights by the repub
in . All railway and canal prop • t-.
lights '■■■li.iigi..:; IO 1’01.311' ami 1...- .led
for tbo can.l to the Unit'.'! St.it-
ii eluding i.t.y propri iy of th- re.-pe. tiv ■
comi'.iiiics in t’ne i-itit -of Panama ami
c olon: t’ne works, property ami personm:!
.... - •
f. taxation as w■ 11 in tlie i-ities of
1..,;.Una ami Colon as in tlm. canal zone
and its dei.'-nd'-u :t‘.s. Frei intmtg:t
of the personnel and importation of --..u
plies for t’ne cou.'truclif n ami op. .-.ijo:i
of tiie i ,n. il arc granted. Provision is
mad. for the use of military force ami
the building of f<.i tifications by the
United Stat, s for the protection of tlm
tiansir. In oil ; r de’mtls. i-.irti -nl.-.i l < as
t, th- acquisition of tin interests of th--
i• w Pai am ■ t ’.tr.al Comnanv anti tho
}'.-i n.i’n.i railway by the United Stat
and condemnation of private property
tor tlm v. a-.- of tlie c.tnai, ta- stipe tallol, ■-
o!’ the Hay-i!< i ran t. -ty are losely fol
lowed, while Hu- compensation to •?
g. far Hie- ■ ciil.ii-.-.'-'i grant- rem.ure
the .-.-aii.-, being ten intlli-.ns ••; doiiai--
Lu.va.ble on ex'iiange of ratifiea lions,
rial, ieginnm-.. n:m- y.ars from t- i.t date.
;.n tc.iii; H pa'irmnt ;" 5250.000 during
Hie life of the '-onvi-iition.
T’HE'tD 'RE ROOSEVELT.
Wliltc Tlc.m'. December 7 1903
Death Penalty for Assault.
Washington, December B.—A jury in t’. e
criminal court today brought in a v. r ls--
of guilty of rape in the case of John W
Burley, a negro, and prescribed death as
tlm penalty.
The victim was Adeline Turner, a 5-
5 ear-old colored girl. This is the first
Instance of the death penalty being fixed
for such crimes in the District of Colum-
Langford Defeats Joe Gans.
Boston. Decemb i- B.—Samuel Langford,
a color-d pugilist from Cambridge, to
night surprised the. followers of boxing
by defeating Jo - Gans. . Baltimore, the
lightweight champion of tlie world, in a
fifteen round bout at the Criterion
Athletic Cl -.b in this .-it.- . A‘ h -t. :li Lang
ford won the decision, he was not award
ed the world’s light weig.it championship,
as h- was two pounds overweight.
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7