The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-23
MR.. ROOSEVELT GENsUREO.
His Panama Coup Denounced in
the Senate as Usurpation.
The President Called Severely to Ac-
count by Senator Hoar, One of the
AbIest and Most Distinguished Mem
hers of his Own Party.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE Senate
today was the scene of most import
ant debate on the Isthmian canal
question, as affected by the Presi-
dents recognition of the independence
of the Republic of Panama. The dis
cussion began with a speech by Sena-
tor Hoar on his resolution of inquiry
and lasted several hours. In addition
to Senator Hoar's address there we're
speeches by Senator Gornan and Sen
ator Foraker. All three we're notable
utterances and of historical interest.
Senator Hear confined his remarks
to his resolution. and they we're care
fully written out and read from manu-
script. He held that this country had
not yet received full official informa-
tion concerning the 1sthmian revolu
tion. and criticised in sharp terms the
conduct of this country, as shown by
what has been given out.
There was no reservation In Senator
Germans utterances. He practically
alleged that the situation in Panama
had been created to make a campaign
issue, and said that unless further
light was thrown on the subject he
would oppose the Panama treaty.
Senator Foraker took Senator Hoar
to task for his remarks rejecting on
the Administration. He defended the
Administration for its attitude toward
the Panama revolt. A heated colloquy
took place between Senator Foraker
and Senator Hoar, during an effort Of
the Massachusetts, Senator to explain
more fully his position in the matter.
Senator Hoar said he was in favor
of the Isthmian Canal, but was anxious
"That the canal be built without taint
or suspicious of national dishonor.
"What we want to know ISL he
said, 'did this Government, knowing
that revolution was about to take
place, so arrange matters that the rev.
olution, whether peaceable or other
wise, should be permitted to 60 on
without interruption, and whether our
national authorities took measures to
prevent Colombia from stopping it?''
Senator Hoar quoted the correspond
ence bearing upon the revolution. and
asked, "Why this great anxiety before
any disturbance had occurred 1t was
clear, he said, that if the correspond
ence so far printed included all the in
formation possible to give on the sub
ject, that from twenty -four to forty
eight hours before the revolution broke
out this Government had instructed q
man-of- war to prevent Colombia from
doing anything to prevent it. l want
to know, and the American people
want to know and have right to know,
whether this mighty policeman on the
Isthmus, seeing a man about to attack
another, is justified, before the blow
is struck, in manaeling the assailing
party ,and whether, after the assault
hsa been made. the policeman, is JUS
tilted in claiming that the pocketbook,
which. has been taken from the victim
by the assailant, should be turned over
to him (the policeman) on the ground
that he was the rightful owner?"
Senator German took the floor as
soon as Senator Hoar had concluded
and there was from the start evident
interest in what be might say. He be-
gan with reference to Senator Hoar's
speech and complimented that Senator
highly on his attitude, and alluded
to the Democratic attitude on the ca
nal question. On the latter point he
said that Democratic Senator's gener
ally are as favorable to the construct
ion of the canal as are Republicans.
Senator German said the facts were
all that were desired, and he proceeded
to refer to the extention of the execu-
tive influence, saying that this inhu-
ence had been extended from time to
time until "the Senate had become
practically the agent of the execu-
tive
The affair in Panama, be declared,
was 'tthe most fagran act of trans
gression that has ever taken place in
the history of the country, aud it
should be resisted without regard to
party