Middletown transcript., 1903-12-05
WASHINGTON LETTER

Ill. ~.
MINISTER Varilla has received adj.
vices from Panama informing him
That the canal treaty will be ratified bv
the Junta and returned to Washington
without delay. There is no opposition
% the treaty on the Isthmus When the
lap,hsa treaty reaches Washington, Il
Flll be sent At once to the Senate.
wv
uenefai Reyes, the Colombian repre-
sentative, has arrived in Washington.
Ii his credentials are in order, he will
oe received by the President. His pur-
pose OF saving Panama to Colombia is. of
course, forlorn hope. His governments
threats OF raising 100000 to fight the
United States are not taken seriously.
frooaoly his mission will end in an at
tempt to secure money indemnity for
colombia and to force Panama to assume
pro rata portion of Colombia's debt,
In the latter demand he will be supported
by England and other European govern.
ments. In fact the first work of Sir
Mortimer Durand, the new British am.
bassador, who has just arrived here, will
oe to press the claims of English bond
holders, that Panama assume fair share
OF Colombia's debt. The fact that the
representations will be made to our gov
ernment, shows that the dependent stat.
us OF Panama is recognized by England.
~
when it was announced in the Senate
that Hanna was to succeed Senator
Morgan as chairman of the Committee
on lnter-oceanic Canals, the aged cham
plon OF the Nicaraguan route rose and, in
aspeech which lasted the greater part of
two sessions Of the Senate, made most
bitter attack on the President and on his
policy in Panama. Before he finished
his sarcastic remarks, the Senator had to
request the privilege OF speaking from
his seat. By declaring that President
Mckinley favored the Nicaraguan route,
he got in dispute with Senator Hanna.
who showed that Mckinley had no pre-
ference in the matter. Senator Morgan
declared, Hereafter November Sd, 1903
will be saints day, to be celebrated by
all filibusters who destroy government
in the interests of peace"
~
Senator Newland's invitation to ioin
the Union was opposed by Senators Lodge,
Hale and 0. Fl. Platt, who pointed out,
in the debate, that such an, invitation
would be looked upon as a command,
that it would expose this country to the
suspicion of desiring to annex Latin
American territory, and that it would
weaken the hands of the present admin
istration of Cuba, under which the island
had enjoyed such remarkable prosperity.
Many interesting and important points
were brought out in the discussion. Sena-
tor Hale said that he believed that the
men who were listening to him would
live to see Canada and the United States
united. Senator Lodge expressed the
same sentiment, by saying he hoped all
The European flags on this continent
would return to Europe as did spain's.
Senator Platt, of Conn.,, the author of
'he Platt amendment, declared that this
exercised no protectorate
,yer Cuba, and that Cuba was not our
ward. Quoting Mckinley, be said, "We
ire neighbors, We must be close friends"
Senator Teller said that without entering
nto the debate, he wished to state posi-
lively that Cuba was in no way depend
ney of the United States, and that any
International lawyer would declare such
contention ridiculous. Senator New
and argued the trade advantages Cuba
Fould gain by union, and said that his
esolution considered merely Cuba's wei.
are, that the acceptance of the invita-.
ion would be decided by popular vote,
nd that the Cubans had therefore no
ause for alarm.
~
Speaker Cannon refused to consent to
be adjournment of Congress, before the
sgular session, as the Senator desired,
nd as neither branch of Congress can
djourn for more than three days with
ut consent OF the other, the Senate will
ave to remain in session. The Senators
the vote on the Cuban bill un-
| December 10th, and the Speaker of
le House declared that Congress shall
ot adjourn until action is taken on the
easure for which it was convened in
ltra session. The President supports
,eaker Cannon. In the House, Mr..
'illiams, the minority leader, attacked
e Republicans because they were keep
g Congress in session without doing
lsiness, and demanded that action be
ken ON his resolution calling for recip-
city negotiations with Canada. Mr..
tyne, chairman Of the Ways and Means
pointed out that the pres
t was not proper moment to deal
tn Canada, as she was still smarting
der the Alaskan Boundary decision.
~
Former President Grover Cleveland
Il never again be the nominee of his
rty for the presidency. He made this
phatic declaration in an open letter, in
lich he says, 'In full view of every
lsideration presented, have not for
noment been able, nor am I now able
open my mind to the thought that in
circumstances or upon any consid-
tion, should ever again become the
ninee OF my party for the Presidency.
determination not to do this is unal.
able and conclusive Much of the
port given Cleveland will now go to
on Brooks Parker, chief Judge of the
lrt of Appeals of New York.
~
he treaty ceding the Isle of Pines to
"a has been ratified by the Senate.
Treaty of Paris left this island for
ire determination as to its ownership.
return for naval and coaling stations