CANAL STATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 264, 7 November 1935, Page 9

CANAL STATE.

PANAMA REPUBLIC.

FREEDOM FROM COLOMBIA.

"FOR THE WORLD'S GOOD."

'"The thirty-second anniversary of the declaration of Panama's • independence, which was celebrated this week, calls to mind the troubled history of the little republic I have the pleasure to represent in New Zealand," said Senor Quiros y Quiros, Consul for Panama at Auckland, in an interview this morning.

"On November 3, 1903, the people of Panama separated from Colombia to whom they had become united of their own free will," said the Consul. "At one time all the countries of America were colonies of European nations (Spain, Portugal, England and France), but following the great battle of Ayacucha the revolutionary troops of Bolivar destroyed for ever the Spanish forces in the countries of the South and broke asunder the fetters which bound them to the Spanish yoke; in their place arose republics which declared their independence and proclaimed their liberty. Genius of Bolivar. "The people of Panama alone, without outside help or influence, proclaimed themselves free and independent of Spain on November 28, 1821, and by her own desire allied herself to the great republic of Colombia, a new political State which was fostered by that brilliant personality, Simon Bolivar, in the union of the three countries, Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. "After the death of Bolivar and the dismemberment of Greater Colombia, Panama, ciisullusioned by subsequent Governments, resolved to sever her destiny from those of the neighbouring countries. Black Page of History. "All the disillusionments which to-day afflict the Panamanian people in connection with the Canal Zone Agreement we owe to a spa of heroic Prance—

Francisco Bunau Varilla. This ingrate and despotic European abused his own genius and the ignorance in international affairs of the revolting Panamanians of 1903, and, without the necessary authority of the Provisional Government of the new republic, signed in private, in the carlv hours of that dismal November !night, the Treaty Hay-Bunau Varilla, I which, according to leading statesmen, is a black page in the history of contemporary diplomacy. J "The Panamanians, on discovering the ! perfidy of Bunau Varilla, and interpreting the treaty of which lie was the author, were astounded and wanted to protest, but fear that the revolutionary movement might fall through, that the newly-forme.d republic might die in its cradle, and that they themselves might be executed for high treason by the Colombian loyalist troops, induced them to accept the terms of the perfidious treaty. "The second reason why Panama had to accept that treaty was the blind faith which Panama has always had in

the spirit of justice and equity possessed by the intelligent and bountiful peoples of North America. The following from the pen of the famous Panamanian statesman, Dr. Pablo Arosemena, president of the National Convention (1904), clearly indicates the feelings of the Panamanian people and the faith which they have always had in their northern neighbour. He said: 'The greatness of that country does not intimidate us, because we are convinced that she will never forget that we, without thought for ourselves, have opened our doors to her great needs and given free rein to the impetuous demands of universal trade.'

"To-day that mighty engineering feat, which inspires with awe the tourists from all parts of the world, facilitates the interchange of trade and the spread of world-wide culture," concluded Senor Quiros y Quiros. "It justifies the pride with which one may read on our national coat-of-arms the glorious words. 'Pro Munli Beneficio'—Tor the World's Good.'"