The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-21
GORMAN LEADS FIGHT
ON TREATY,
By Jos: OIL.

washington, December l5.-(Special.)--
Bv a majority vote the democrats of the
senate at their caucus today determined
to consider In caucus whether the Pana-
ma canal treaty should be made a party
| measure The opponents of the treaty
were In the majority. Eleven of the
twenty-six senator's present voted against
the consideration OF the treaty In caucus.
arguing that it IS purely q business ques-
| ton and should be voted upon by sena-
tors in their Individual capacities, but
the opponents of the treaty were sufh
clently strong to win IN this first skirm-
Ism. Senator German leads the faction
which seeks to pledge the minority to OPP
pose and by presenting an united front
prevent the ratification OF the treaty IN
der the terms of the Blackburn resolu-
ton which was adopted with but two
dissenting votes the minority will be
bound to support, as party measure,
any policy which secures a two-thirds
vote in caucus. Those senators who stand
ready to vote for ratification believe that
today's test Of strength, although it left
them in the minority, disclosed the fact
that they have enough votes to prevent
the opponents Of ratification securing the
two-thirds vote necessary to the indorse-
ment OF their position.
Senators Who Oppose.
The democratic membership Of the gen
ate Is SO. At todays caucus the eleven
senators who voted against the considera-
ton of the Panama treaty with view
to it's being made party assure were
Bacon and Clay, Of Georgia simmons
and Overman. Of North Carolina ITALIA
ferro and Mallory Of Florida; Foster and
McEnery. OF Louisiana; Cockrer Of Mis-
souri,; Berry and Clarke. of Arkansas
This is one-third OF the minority mem
bership. In addition to these 1t IS under
stood that Senator Gibson and Senator
Clark. Of Montana; Senator Stone, OF
Missouri, ana Senator McCreary. of Ken
lucky. viii vote against making the
treaty n party measure thus leaving at
least IA or IS votes for ratification.
1t developed during the caucus Discus
sion today. however. that some of these
senators. while on recor5 ~ favorable to
vote for a Panama treaty. do not regard
themselves pledged to support all of the
features of the present treaty. They re-
serve the right to force the republicans to
accept certa amendments II they can
do So Their present criticisms are aimed
at that article of the treaty in which the
United States guarantees the integrity
and Independence OF the republic Of Pana-
ma
Dangerous Policy.
They critlcise this on the broad ground
that 1t may be d dangerous policy for
this government to guarantee the indie
pendence Of South American republics
and more specifically that In this case il
would be tantamount to a declaration Of
war upon Colombia by the treaty making
power of the government when the power
to make war rests under the constitution
solely with the congress. How many of
these who have sgnified their willingness
to vote for the ratification Of a proper
treaty with Panama will Join In the ef-
| fort to strike that article from the treaty
has not yet developed, but with the neces-
sitv OF securing 4two-thirds vote OF the
senate in order tIsecure ratification OF
| haps other reput. 3ans manifesting a dis
! position to oppose the treaty, it is among
the posap" e, jl.8Ni. u administration
eada xif5s AZ tfye -eNl' ats n AZ a5doy
90 90 nut ni NJ Eaicii ..+ ',- th ire ii.
| The Blackburn resolution was adopted
with but two dissenting votes, those Of
/ Messrs Cockrei and Mallory. This In
( sures united action when two-thirds OF
| the democratic membership determine to
make any measure a party measure This
| action also insures the continuance Of
| Senator German as the minority leader
J