Show PAN PANAMAS MAS MORAL DEBT D BT TB FIRST THING the t e new Dew THE 1 1 lie II of Panama seems eem to be trying seriously to do is I to evade the dis dia discharge charge of its obligations It appears that when Panama declared its lode inde independence of or Spain in 1321 it declared also Iao that Its territory belonged to te the theN republic N of br Colombia Obviously this I was Wall for the purpose e of securing f the I hacking backing of Colombia In the struggle le for fr tr independence Colombia came to Pan Panamas Panamas amas rescue re cue To secure studs funds for ter the Ute theole ole of ca carrying on 00 the tile war for tor Panama it became necessary nece for Co Colombia lombia to negotiate a i loan u abroad of some millions mUllo of dollars dolJan This mouSy money m beet been paid paM end and now that th t Panama am a has seceded ed from Colombia COlom bla the foreign bondholders ers are naturally afflicted with anxiety about their money mone The Panama commis commissioners deny deay the obligation stating Mating as their Ute reason the tact fact that at t the time timed I the debt was warn u incurred Panama was not nota I Ia a part of oC Colombia Tills This is Ii l true but it in no wise does dON away way with Panamas Panama moral obligation If It Colombia had not backed Mckeel Panama in Jn its Ita light fight kt for tor lade inde independence the money would not have ban been borrowed It seems peem to us ua that Panama ta is over overlooking overlooking looking a good thing In this matter Why nt oe it appeal to the United States for the Ute money moue necessary to pay payoff payoff off Oft the foreign bondholders We have given the new republic everything else elM If it has ever hinted at Why should uld we balk at a matter Mer of a few tew millions of oC dollars doIla Surely irely bevin haTt stolen Panama away aay from Colombia it t to Is our duty fluty to start tart her off with a clean clea slate It ta is hardly fair to allow a republic of our ouro j i own ow o creation to be harassed by b IJ 1 creditors As A a matter aC fit tact fact It might I be b argued rued that Panamas debts are our debts on the principle p that the creator te laP responsible re for his hS creation I Seriously though nothing noth but re repudiation repudiation could have hai ha been expected I from Panama And In it te Is lanot not different dl Dt from other South American countries Down there U N they the are 18 mighty ty quick to resent an en aD assault upon what they call their honor bonor but their honor extend to the payment of hon honorable honorable enable debts The TIle gratitude Panama ama is 18 isnow Isnow now showing Colombia is t of oE a piece with the gratitude the United States Stat may m expect from that country if oc or occasion ocIon casion sIon Ion for rW an exhibition of gratitude should ever ver arise artee I ret Iet et ur us hope bope the occasion will never arise ailse though h when the canal te Is flu fin finished n Jibed If lf It t ever te Is finished bed Panama will be la In I a position to make a lot of trouble for fo us if she ebe desires I to I |