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The Central American Telegraph Company is requesting government intervention on the company’s behalf in a dispute with Panama. Senator Lodge disagrees with President Roosevelt’s position on the matter and suggests that the government give their business to an American company instead of the English telegraph company operating in the area.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-06-25
Senator George F. Hoar, as an old woman waving an umbrella, yells at Uncle Sam as he confidently walks away from her with a shovel on his shoulder and papers labeled “Canal Plans” under his arm. Two diminutive figures labeled “Colombia” and “Philippines” are standing next to Hoar.
George Frisbie Hoar, Republican Senator from Massachusetts, was an old-line part loyalist for years, but a maverick on the issue of expansionism. He was consistent on this issue, to the extent of speaking out against the Spanish-American War; a leading opponent of territorial expansion and acquisition of defeated Spanish possessions, he never actually joined the American Anti-Imperialist League. The organization, founded by Mark Twain and whose members included former president Grover Cleveland, made prominent arguments in public debates but was short-lived.
Hoar’s opposition led him to treat the Philippine’s guerilla leader Emilio Aguinaldo as a hero. After President Roosevelt’s amnesty and pardon, issued in 1903, many of the islands’ troublesome issues were calmed.
A little boy, wearing a military uniform and paper hat labeled “Colombia,” beats on a huge drum labeled “War” with drumsticks labeled “Bombast” and “Bluster.”
This cartoon appeared two months after Panama seceded from Colombia (it was recognized by the United States as a republic a week later), and a month before the United States Senate ratified the Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty that set terms for the United States’s purchase of rights and responsibilities regarding construction of a transoceanic canal. The nation of Colombia felt aggrieved over the sudden loss of its territory and its perpetual negotiations with countries and private investors for a canal through its land.
Colombia’s aggravation led its leaders in Bogota to threaten war, but the small and corrupt nation was in no position — militarily, economically, or diplomatically — to follow through. Hence the depiction of its sole remaining devices, bombast and blustering appeals to other nations, in Pughe’s cartoon.
A Frenchman stands outside the U.S. Treasury building, holding in one hand a newspaper that states “Colombia Rejects Canal Treaty” and in the other hand a paper labeled “40,000,000 for France if Treaty is Ratified.” It appears that he was about to cash in a promissory note for $40 million, only to discover at the last moment that it is worthless.
The disappointed Frenchman in Pughe’s cartoon reflected the angrier (if possible) reaction of President Roosevelt, Secretary of State John Hay, Senator John Spooner (R-WI), and other American proponents of a canal through the Panamanian region of Colombia. A treaty, with all business and financial arrangements, had been negotiated, only to be rejected by the Colombian senate.
Roosevelt regarded the rejection as a sort of blackmail attempt; and French interests who anticipated a $40-million buyout of old concessions feared a permanent default of their claims. When Panama seceded and declared independence, America got its canal agreement; and French claimants were satisfied in the new treaty.
A Colombian holds a bag of cash marked as being from the United States and stares into the shop window of a firearms dealer. Caption: Colombia – “A million a year to burn! Gee whiz, I can have a little war every three weeks on that!”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-02-21
President Roosevelt encloses a paper he received from Assistant Secretary of State Loomis by John Bassett Moore regarding the canal treaty with Colombia. He would like to discuss the canal situation with Secretary of State Hay.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-08-19
President Roosevelt wants to provide Ambassador Arthur M. Beaupre with a strong message for the Colombians which will make it clear that they are “imperiling their own future.” He would also like to see William Woodville Rockhill receive a diplomatic position or fill an opening in the Philippines Commission.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-07-14
President Roosevelt introduces Edwin Emerson, a former Rough Rider who has observed affairs in several South American republics. Emerson has information on the situation at the Isthmus of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-10-23
President Roosevelt is concerned that the Lutheran Germans would resent a Catholic being sent as Ambassador to Berlin. He would like to find out if Charlemagne Tower will accept Berlin and if Robert Sanderson McCormick will go to St. Petersburg. Roosevelt is also interested in trying to purchase the Isthmus of Panama instead of leasing it from Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1902-08-21
President Roosevelt selfishly hopes that Cecil Spring Rice will be stationed at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. If Spring Rice is sent, Roosevelt would like to show him the maps submitted in the Alaska boundary case which show that the Canadians had no case. Events at the Isthmus of Panama have come to a head. The Colombians were corrupt, incompetent, and impossible to deal with.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-11-09
President Roosevelt shares in President of Colombia Reyes’s desire to “draw a veil over the past” between their countries and Panama, although he protests against Reyes’s suggestion that the United States wronged Colombia during the revolution there and subsequent secession of Panama. In fact, the United States made every effort to help Colombia in the matter, and Roosevelt pledges to help in any way now – but he is not sure what Reyes expects him to do. Panamanian matters are up to the people of Panama. Roosevelt also says that the Navy Department will not be able to make a proposed purchase from Colombia.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1905-02-20
William Loeb requests that all communications related to naval maneuvers and landings at the Isthmus of Panama be forwarded to President Roosevelt. Roosevelt wants them for the purpose of preventing interruption of free transit under the treaty of 1846.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-23
President Roosevelt defends his actions regarding Colombia and negotiations regarding the Panama Canal. Roosevelt’s position is that the Panama project should not be a party project. His concerns are that Democratic senators could defeat the treaty if they deem such action to be to their political advantage.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-12-19
President Roosevelt would prefer to have outright control of the canal route and does not believe that Colombia has the right to permanently “block one of the world’s great highways.” However, Roosevelt cannot express his feelings publicly as this would be taken as an effort to incite an insurrection in Panama. Item includes typewritten and shorthand copy.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1903-09-10
Charles Fletcher Lummis praises President Roosevelt for maintaining the Cuban treaty and protecting giant redwoods. However, he believes that the United States was wrong in its rapid recognition of the Republic of Panama.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1912-12
Theodore Roosevelt tells Walter S. Funnell that he will not talk to any newspaper over the phone. In response to the attack on Roosevelt by the Consul of Columbia, Roosevelt states he did not expect Columbia to like the taking of Panama, but Roosevelt is not interested in what Columbia has to say about it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-10-24
Frederic J. Paxon asks Theodore Roosevelt for his views on John E. White’s statements regarding arbitration and the interpretation of Roosevelt’s position on international treaties.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1911-09-14
Theodore Roosevelt provides several corrections to William Roscoe Thayer’s article, “John Hay and the Panama Republic.” Roosevelt denies conspiring with Philippe Bunau-Varilla and defends his actions as Colombia could not be treated as a “responsible power.” Had there not been a revolt, Roosevelt was prepared to seize the isthmus by force. However, he took advantage of the situation and stopped the “bandits” from holding up a great project.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-07-02
Theodore Roosevelt is glad that Frank M. Chapman is interested in documenting the bird and mammal life of the marshes in Paraguay. Roosevelt is also glad Chapman’s Colombian book is coming along well and looks forward to reading it.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1916-02-01
Theodore Roosevelt was able to secure wide publication of Ladislaus Hengelmuller von Hengervar’s letter. Roosevelt does not believe there is “substantial feeling against Austria-Hungary in America,” but the public is wary of Germany due to the invasion and occupation of Belgium. He does not see the slightest analogy between his actions in Panama and Colombia while president with the German action towards Belgium. Roosevelt had hoped that Austria-Hungary could develop into a “gigantic Switzerland of South-eastern Europe” with equality for the country’s many ethnic groups. Since the nation became prominent in public life, Great Britain has always been friendly towards the United States. This contrasts sharply with Roosevelt’s feeling that, given the opportunity, Germany would force the United States to accept “utter humiliation or war.” He admires Germany and Germans and has always sought friendship between Germany and the United States. However, Roosevelt sees no justification for German conduct in Belgium and he will always judge foreign nations by their conduct.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1915-03-24