The United States has had several disputes with the South and Central American republics, most of them growing out of filibustering ex ?editions fitted out in the United States to aid in revolutions, Isthmian canal projects, bound ary disputes and destruction of property of American citizens. An example of the first class was the effort of the Central American repub lics to checkmate the filibustering expeditions of William Walker, 1855-58, and their to induce the United States •to take notice of his violation of neutrality laws. • A second example was the dispute with Colombia over Canal Zone. A convention was negotiated 22 Jan. 1903, with Colombia, giving the United States the right to construct a canal across Panama, then a state in the Colombian Federation, to gether with the cruse and control° of a zone of territory along the routes. For this privilege the United States was to pay $10,000,000 down and $250,000 each year, from 1913 on. Colom bia failed to ratify the treaty. But four days after the Colombian Congress adjourned, a revolution occurred in Panama. American troops were landed and Colombian troops were prevented from landing. A few days later, 6 November, the United States recognized the Republic of Panama. On 18 Nov. 1903, a simi lar treaty was negotiated with Panama, recog nizing the United States °as the sovereign over the .territory in question, a strip across the Isthmus 10 miles wide. By a treaty made January 1909, between Colombia and Panama and Panama and the United States, the latter granted Colombia $250,000 a year which had originally been agreed upon in return for the rights granted in connection with the Panama Canal.
The United States has also been drawn into disputes with foreign countries involving South and Central American republics, because of the Monroe Doctrine; for example, the dispute be tween Great Britain and Venezuela respecting the boundary of British Guiana. President Cleveland in 1895 insisted that under the Mon roe Doctrine it was the duty of the United States to see that Great Britain did not take any Venezuelan territory that she was not en titled to. Venezuela appealed to the United
States and the latter offered its services as arbitrator. Great Britain at first refused either to recognize the right of the United States to be heard or to submit the question to arbitra tion, but under pressure agreed to arbitrate, and in February 1897, an agreement was reached which granted to Great Britain most of the territory in dispute.
Claims of American citizens or corporations have frequently been made against South American republics, because of confiscation or destruction of property, especially in time of civil war.
A dispute with Italy arose, 15 March 1891, out of the shooting by a mob of several Italians in jail at New Orleans. They were awaiting trial for the murder of Mayor Hennessey, who had been investigating the operation of the Mafiosi, a famous secret society. The Italian government demanded punishment and indem nity, though jurisdiction was with the State of Louisiana and recalled her Ambassador. Finally in 1892 the United States voluntarily paid an indemnity of $24,000 to Italy and friendly re lations were restored.
Bibliography.-- Moore, John Bassett. 'His tory and Digest of the International Arbitra dons to Which the United States Has Been a Party) (6 vols., Washington 1898), Digest of International Law) (7 vols. and index vol. Washington 1906), and The Principles oi American Diplomacy) (New York 1918); Latane, John H., The Forcible Collection .of International 'Debts) (Atlantic Monthly, 98: 5421) ' • Malloy, William M., Conven tions, International Acts, Protocols and Agree ments Between the United States and Other Powers, 1776-1909) (2 vols., Washington 1910) ; Garfield, Charles, Supplement to the above, 1910-13 (Washington 1913). For extended bibliographies consult Griffin, A. P. C., 'List of .References on International Arbitrations) (Washington 1908), Manus Associate Professor of History, University of Chicago,