Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1903-12-31
WASHINGTON LETTER.
WASHINGTON, Dec. %, /

"A studied effort is apparently being
made to misrepresent the position Of Demo
cratic Senators and place them in wrong
attitude with reference to this matter"
This statement was made by Senator Stone,
Democrat from Missouri, in speaking Of the
attitude OF his party on the question of
ratifying the Panama canal treaty. He
continued, 81 believe | would be abso-
lutely within the lines of accuracy to say
that with possibly three or four exceptions
every Democratic Senator heartily favors
the proposition to construct an isthmian
canal. But there is widespread belief,
shared by many Senators, that the part
taken by our governments in the insurrec-
tion or revolution in Panama was not
honorable, and therefore that the treaty
itself is tinctured with dishonor What
Senator German is seeking to do, is to
have the President and Secretary Of State
furnish the Senate with the facts showing
the connection Of this government with the
transactions out Of which the republic of
Panama has grown. They insist upon
having the facts that they may be better
enabled to determine intelligently and
satisfactorily what their duty is in the
premises. y
Senator Hale, Republican from Maine,
condemned the course of the Administration,
although like Senator Hoar, he will vote
for the ratification Of the treaty. He said,
81 do not like the situation and am afraid
it will involve us in an expensive and
proftless war, but I have seen no way
from the beginning, except to ratify
the treaty and make the best Of it.
Our government moved rather rapidly and
with some precision when the insurrection
broke out. :"
The Republicans realize that it is in the
power of the Democrats TO prevent the
ratification of the treaty, for even when the
two Senators from Louisiana carry out the
instructions of their State legislature to
vote for it, the Republicans are still one
vote short. They willfully misrepresent
the Democratic attitude toward the treaty
in order to discredit the party with the
people. The Democrats want facts and an
open discussion, while the Republican
Senators threatened to continue the con-
sideration of the treaty in secret session, so
that the public will not hear the criticisms
of the Administration.
General Reyes the Colombian emissary
at Washington, has presented his note to
Secretary Hay, protesting against the ac-
ton Of the United States in recognizing
Panama, and is now awaiting his answer
before returning to Colombia to take per-
sonal command of the army. sBe patient"
and remember that "war with Panama
means war with the United States'' is the
substance of the cablegrams which he has
sent to his countrymen. advising them
strongly against war-like course. The
General sees the hopelessness of a struggle
in which Colombia opposes the United
States, and he is inclined to recognize
Panama, and strive to save what he can by
having the question of the division of Col
ombia's debt referred to The Hague Trib-
unal. At the same time he is by no means
certain that his people will accept his adj
vice, in spite Of the fact that he is their
president and commander-in-chief of the
army.
Advices from Colombia show that the
patriotism of her citizens has been aroused
and that men, women and boys are offering
their services and their money for an expe-
dition against Panama. Women and boys
however are always loudest in war talk and
this is no unusual phenomenon. 1t is pos
sible that their Latin American reckless
ness, coupled with the ignorance Of the
United States, will lead them to make war
in which they would get nothing but de-
feat and we neither glory nor honor. The
present Administration may have to answer
for this natural consequence Of its own act.
Admiral John G. Walker, who has just
returned from the Isthmus, reports to Pres
ident Roosevelt that the force Of marines
on the Isthmus, is sufficient to protect
Panama, that the health Of the soldiers is
good, that their presence is desired by the
inhabitants, but that the sending Of regular
troops would cause uneasiness.
W. I. Buchanan, American Minister TO
Panama, is now on the Isthmas and was
accorded a magnificent reception at the
government palace. He had body Q
troops as guard Of honor and all promi
nent officials, Panamese and foreign, att
tended his reception.
Senior Bunau- yarilla has received news
that Great Britain has reorganized the re-
public of Panama, and Minister Quesada Of
Cuba has informed the State Department