e of such importance as
would justify resubmitting the treaty to Panama after that little
country had once ratified it. The State Department was led to this
action by the receipt of the following cable from Mr. Buchanan,
the first Minister of the United States to Panama:

"Panama, _January 22, 1904_.

"Hay, Washington:

"I can not refrain from referring to my belief that no amendment
to the treaty should be made. The delimitation of Panama and Colon
involves several things which can only be satisfactorily adjusted
on the ground by joint action. There are several other points in
the treaty which will require a mutual working agreement, or
regulation, including sanitation. While the treaty covers broadly
all these things, my observation here is that the details of
development of the authority conferred by the treaty in these
regards can not be satisfactorily carried out by amendments, but
should be done through a mutually agreed upon regulation or
understanding reached here on the ground between the two countries.
The executive power here can secure for the convention ample
authority to do such things without their being referred to the
convention hereafter. Would it not be possible and best to adopt
this course with these amendments to the treaty; will bring up here
much discussion of many articles which can all be avoided and our
purpose gained by above course. Any time when any specific grants
of land or power not implied in the treaty is desired, it appears
to me the wise course to take will be to do this by a supplemental
convention.

"(Signed) Buchanan."

Secretary Hay showed the most eager anxiety to have the treaty
ratified as it stood, and he wrote me quite a lengthy letter on
the subject, which I now feel at liberty to quote.

"Department of State, Washington.
"_January 20, 1904_.

"Dear Senator Cullom:--

"I enclose a copy of a letter from the Panama Minister which he
sent me last night. He, as well as Mr. Buchanan, who is on the
ground, is greatly disturbed over the possible complications which
may arise if amendments are added to the treaty in the Senate. Of
course, I need not say nobody questions the right of the Senate to
amend the treaty as may seem to them best. I am only speaking of
the matter of opportuneness and expediency. We insisted on an
immediate ratification of the treaty by the Panama Government, and
they acceded to our wishes. If we now, after a very long delay,