THE OPEN DOOR AT PANAMA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 87, 19 April 1913, Page 3

THE OPEN DOOR AT PANAMA.

(By Mr David Starr Jordan, President of Stanford University, California.)

What shall we say to the suggestion that toils be free on the Panama Canal for a certain period of years to the ships of the world? Why not? The cost would not be burdensome. We have already given away a largo part of our expected receipts. We have done this in spite of our treaty agreement that we should do nothing of the kind. In giving free passage to our coastwise ships, why not make it free to all the world? It would he a most gracious act, an act most characteristic of a great nation which values generous action above money. It would show that our occupation of the canal zone had in part at least the altruistic desire to help the commerce of the world. It would tend to justify this occupation. It would “save our face,” and save ns from facing The Hague Tribunal to answer for the violation of a treaty. It .would save ns from our folly of a special and needless subsidy to vessels engaged in our coastwise trade. It would make easy and natural the neutralisation of the canal zone. It would relieve us from the worry of the ruthless militants who would make the canal zone invulnerable on land and unapproachable by sea. It would save us the monstrous cost of the fortifications they have already coaxed us or scared us to begin. It would cost us something, to be sure—this world-embracing generosity. Let it be so; we can afford it. We have already paid more money for less worthy purposes. It would restore our self-respect and the respect of other nations. We are losing both under the statutes as they stand. Why not declare the open door at Panama, and keep it open at our own expense for half a dozen years? Experience may bring wisdom ; we can act better after. Besides, in the fine words of Mr Roosevelt, “It always pays, for a nation to be a gentleman !”