The American Senate ratified on Wednesday, April 20th, the old
treaty with Colombia, closing the dispute about the Panama Canal which led in 1903 to the secession of Panama and to its recognition by President Roosevelt as an independent Republic. By the treaty Colombia, in consideration of a payment of 25,000,000 dollars, agrees to forget her grievance and to recognize the independence of Panama. When President Wilson invited the Senate to ratify the treaty, Mr. Harding and other Republican Senators opposed it, holding that the sum to be paid was exces- sive. Now that Mr. Harding is in office, he has found it desirable to smooth over the old quarrel, so that Latin America may be assured of the disinterestedness of the United States. It is to be noted that under the treaty Colombian products passing through the Canal are not to be taxed more highly than American products, and that Colombian troops and warships may use the Canal at any time.
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