New-York tribune., 1903-03-15
DEFENDS CANAL TITLE.
Senator Spooner Makes an Elaborate
RepIu to Senator Morgan.

WASHINGTON March 14.-Without tranSacting any
business in open session. the Senate to-day went
into executive session The official stenograrhers
and employees of the official reporters Office
were secrecy. and when the doors were
closed Of the reporters was invited into the
chamber 70 make detailed report of the pro-
ceedings. with the understanding that it is to be
published after the vote on Tuesday.
Senator Spooner Immediately began his speech
on the Panama Canal treaty in reply to Senator
Morgan. He introduced his remarks with compli-
mentary allusions to Senator Morgan. speaking Of
his great familiarity with all questions relating to
a iIteroceanic canal and his generally acknowI-
edged interest in that subject. He spoke Of the
magnitude of the work Of constructing a canal
AZ ross the isthmus which, he believed. the United
States would soon begin. with the approval Of
vast majority of the people. Much of his speech
was legal in character, and was devoted to srls-
tanning the point of View presented 10y Attorney
General Knox in his report the title which the
Panama Canal Company is capable of giving to its
property aud francliS II" said there II"
doubt that this company has com" legitImately
possession of the canal concession, and. hay
Ing so acquired the property it had an undoubted
right to transfer it in turn the United States
any other purchaser.
Senator Spooner took sharp issue with Senator
Morgan to the necessity of inQuirng into the
CREDENTIALS Senor IIerran, who represented CO.
lomhia in the negotiation of the treaty saying
such proceeding would be
dnary, and would certainly be- resented. lie con-
tended that country in making treaty with
another must recognize the dc facto government of
tine other, and that it could not inquire To the
origin substantially of the other government.
NO FLAW IN THE TITLE.
lie also replied to Senator Morgan's references to
tn" religious affiliations of the Colombian Govern
ment. senator Morgan had contended that the
United States had practically allied itself with
Church. party ir Colombia and that it had In effect
committed itself to the terms OF the roncordat
agreement between Pope Leo and the Colombian
Government This view Mr.. SpOoner characterized
entirely contrary To the facts. He said that
under the treaty there would De preteXt for the
Interference by Colombian authorities with the
ligous conduct Affiliations of Americans the
canal zone He rdicued the idea that by making
a treaty with the government the United States
couio De a'cuseo OF taxing d posllon against IN"
as cement was made. and said that if a structure OF
Would apply to our relations With many e Other r
countries whose people are adherents of the Cath
in his discussion of the title Of the Panama
of tie Iiqudaton proceedings concerning the canal
concession through the French courts Beginning
lesseps. in 1873, he showed how In 1883; when the
volved the courts intervened and. after appoint
ing Lquidator. lad authorized the organization of
the F Tnited STAT, see"rrs it's title This new D
had been n BY 1850 law wbc by as
the original concession and provided for payments
been other acts by the Colombian Government
which left doubt of perfect understanding be-
the Colombian Government and the
canal company. Mr.. Spooner contended for the
regularity of step taken. and therefore urged
that the claim OF title vas perfectly good.
THE RIGHT TO FoRTIFY.
Senator Spooner asserted that the United States
would have an indisputable right to fortify the
canal under the general provision of the treaty
authorizing its defence.
Toward the close Of his address Senator spoone-
questioned by a number OF Democrats. parttc
ularly by Senator Morgan In reply TO these aues-
tions, and also of his accord. Senator Spooner
said that there some features OF the treaty