The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-23

should not miss q single copy Of The Con-
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The Canal First - Criticism Later!
The exact situation of the Panama
question as it now stands cannot be
put more tersely and truthfully than
it is by Congressman William NJ. How
ard, the brilliant eighth district con-
gresham Of this state, in an inter
view sent by our Washington CORE
spOndent as follows:
MI Howard. OF the eighth district, who
Is Il member OF the foreign affairs COM
mittce OF the house. took the position that
The recognition OF the new republic estaD-
fishes il upon plane where it IS perfect
- proper Tor this government 10 negotiate
canal treaty. with IT. He is strongly OIL
The opinion mat the Panama route Is Inc
better roGte. and that however much
cause there may be Tor criticism OF the
preclpltate action Of President Roosevelt
toward the reTOlutionists the democrats
viii assume no share OF responsibility Tor
tnat action q they vote t. ratity the canal
treaty
Senators Bacon and Clay occupy
practically the same position as does
Congressman Howard In other words.
they are able to realize and act upon
the broad principle that the acts of
the president personally. and the at
rtude OF the government upon a great
public occasion may be easily differ
entiated. II the president shall have
been found to have done wrong, uncon-
stitutional and usurpatOry things III
the processes OF an international sltud-
tion OF which the United States is
the major part. there are times ami
ways to deal with his acts without GO
Ing to the foolish length of condemn
ing the entire course OF events and
repudiating the things We desire that
nave subsequently and naturally come
TO us without national faint OF dis
honor
Such should be the position of ali
patriots This Panama issue Is one
of too broad and national a scope to
be impeded and discredited, even II
there was-which is by 40 means yet
proven-a lack OF deliberation and Ell
quette ora the part of the president in
doing what the nation would have sub
sequenuy demanded and which is
even now in the process OF doing
The queer part OF the opposition
thus far voiced is that no man has yet
put his finger on a single instance thar
in any court OF common or interna-
tional law would condemn on annuI or
give just cause for criticism OF cur
action in this Panama case
The fact that Panama had declared
her intention 10 secede on the failure
of the Hay-Iicrran treaty was known
in every chancellery of the great ma
tons TWO months ago Were we alone
to ignore it and treae The threat as
hot air?
The sending of a war ship to Colon
was not a hostile act It's presence
was precautionary and called for by
our treaty obligations 10 enforce free
transit across the isthmus AS il was
our ships did not get &c Panama III
time to prevent the Colombian gun
beat from projecting shells into the
town and blowing mp a couple oil Chi
namcn who were not good dodgers
In all this where is there a point OF
evidence that our government was in
ooIlusion to produce the revolution and
the creation C the republic Of Pan
ANA?
Because Jose Marti organized i'll
Naw York the revolution OF 1894 in
cuba. was it ever laid TO our charge
shat the government OF the United
States aided and abetted thar revolu-
tion in which we afterwards inter
vaned and secured the freedom Of
cuba? Not even SPAN ever brought
that charge against us.
But whether our governments par
ticipation at that time was right or
wrong. the great central fact stated
rv CONGRESSMAN Howard must be kept
n view by democrats. and tnat IS that
voting in favor Of a canal treaty with
Panama does lot involve any democrat
tn a conclusive approval OF the acts Of
President Roosevelt that may later APP
near TO have been wrong.
The treaty t. be submitted to the
saaate Will embody the results az
tanned. by Whatever means, In Pan
anna and that are now accepted as in
fo-rationai res adjudicata by other ma
tions than our own. On that treaty a
democrat can vote yea without in
inc slightest degree assuming a share
ia anv wrong action hereafter to be
discovered. and he can so vote without
In The least impeaching thereby his
right to criticise Mr.. Roosevelt or any
bodv else who may be considered LA
bic TO criticism
The canal matter is one Of supreme
busjness moment to US and TO Pan
ANA. Both countries are now in a
rceition to treat upon that issue
'reare is 10 chance here for bubble
aid childish complaints because the
ME was not properly scolloped before
he hsking of it. The duty OF the hour
i 10 rack up the government. ratify
tho treaty. go to digging on the cana
and talk about the if and butts oil
the case while the cutting is going Oh
A. Panama.
Giving Colombia Square Deal