The Washington times., 1903-12-08
Press Comment on
Presidents Message

4 ~ OOlll11lSi I'll
Presidents Message
The message is, for the most part as
usual taken up with review Of the
work Of the Government for the last
year. Aside from Panama this involves
few matters of striking interest. For
eign and domestic affairs have run the
prosperous course becoming TO sue
cessful administration of nation hap
PLY situated-New York Tribune.
The time will come when just-minded
men will wish that that part of Presi-
dent Roosevelts message In which he
explains and defends his course upon
the Isthmus o. Panama might be eX-
plunged from the national records Inc
sentiment he avows and the principles
he lays down are fiagrantly at war with
a great. and, until this time, growing
body of sound national tradition, and
with rules Of conduct in international
relations which have gained for us the
respect of the worlds lawgivers.-New
York Times.
There is no part of President Roose-
veIts third annual message when
should receive more careful considera-
ton by Congress. by the enlightened
press of the country. and by Amer
lean citizens OF all parties, than the
con,paratively inconspicuous recon-
mendation which is tucked away in the
midst of his fearless phrases denouncing
bribery and corruption in public life
New York Sun.
President Roosevelts message con
firms the impression that the ante-elec-
ton policy Of stand pat" prevails and
that no tariff or currency legislation is
to be expected at the present--NeW
York Herald.
President Roosevelt finds abundant
warrant in precedents and in existent
conditions for recognizing the Republic
Of Panama as the only way of solving
the problem of getting an isthmian
canal without further delay. But he
fails to give or even to suggest any
reason why the United States should
nay to a junta or to anybody else in
Panama the great sum of 100000 IN
addition to a yearly rental of S250.O0O
and all the other benefits conferred
New York World.
The message of the President Is an
excellent document from the Admins
tration's point of view. II Is campaign
literature from beginning TO end. 1t
opens with dissertation on the achieve
Tnents of the Administration in the reg
ulation of trusts. It closes with a thor
oughly disingenuous defense Of the
course of the Government in the case of
Panama. Between these extremes ara
the usual summaries of department and
Hureau reports, with very few recon-
n,sndations of legislation. because Sena-
tor Hanna has ordered THAI the party
shall stand pat" and it would not be
consistent with this to advise Congress
that certain things ought 20 be done
Philadelphia Record.
A Presidents message. is what events
make IT, The chief event of the past
year in the domain of Governmental &C
ton is the recognition Of the Panama
Republic and ali that IL involves. The
chief interest Of President Roosevelt's
third annual message, therefore centers
in its discussion of this question. Out
side of this topic the chapters are of less
moment than those of his previous mes
saees. because the events are less vital
and vivid. The large issues then treat
ed--the trust question. Cuba the Philip
pines and so on-are substantially set
ted. The history is made. The acts are
completed. The references are not con-
trnversial but conclusive.-Philadelp
Press
1t is shown very plainly by the Pres
ident that Colombia is wholly unable
to maintain order on the isthmus
without the armed Intervention OF the
United States That being the case,
the opponent of the new treaty viii
have something OF a difficult task We
fancy. TO show that It is our duty TO
uphold Colombia and espec ally after
that country has treated US so contempt
uously-P Inquirer.
The President discusses many topics
in the elaborate message which he sent
to Congress yesterday. Some Of them
are comparativ o. little importance.
II the President had ignored them en-
tfrelv his message would not have lack
ed in completeness and comprehensive
ness. The event Of greatest interest to
the nation since Mr.. Roosevelt's message
TO Congress twelve months ago is the
revolution in the Isthmus of Panama.
the recognition of the revolutionary
government by the United States, and
the negotiation Of a treaty between the
Republic OF Panama and the United
states whereby the latter secures con-
cessions for an interoceanic canal
across the STANDARDIZATION sun
In a Lighter Vein.
Strange But True.