Weekly Arizona journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1903-1908, 1903-11-25
THE DEMOCRATS AND PANAMA.

The following editorial from the
GIobe-Democrat of Nov. l6, answers
fully the dog in the manger snsrls of
the democratic papers on the Panama
question:
Threats are made by some demo-
cratic papers that their party in con-
gress will attack the administration
for its action in Panama. According
to these gossips the Panama canal
treaty when it reaches the senate, will
be held up by the democrats, com
psratirely small number of whom
could defeat its ratification. In the
house, too, the administration is,to be
impeded on this question wherever
possible by the democrats. 1t is un-
certain yet what form the canal COM
pact will take. Some of the canals
advocates say that under the Spooner
act the republic of Panama and the
United States can arrange for the
oanal without referring the matter
back to the senate. On this assump-
ton Panama takes the place of Col
ombia, and all that is required in the
convention is change of name wher-
ever Colombia is mentioned. In that
case q settlement could soon be reach
ed, for the commissioners from Pana-
ma who are on their way to Washing
ton can be relied upon, with the aid
of the state department, to fix up all
the changes that will be required in
the old treaty that Colombia rejected.
"But whether this programme be
followed or a new treaty be framed
and submitted to the senate, the ques-
ton is bound to come up within a
few days. 1t is easy to believe that
the matter is exciting keen interest
among the officials of the administra-
ton and the Republican leaders in
congress. Conferences on the matter
are said to be held every day or two.
This is immeasurably the biggest
question that is now before the coun-
try. The Cuban reciprocity matter
dose not excite anything like the in
terest which the canal question will
command. On the general Panama
issue very interest is felt all over the
country The republican party is en-
Enthusiastically and with virtual unan-
unity behind the president in every
thing which he has done on the 18TH
mus. 1t applauds him for recogniz-
ing the de fscto government of Pana-
ma when it was first established. 1t
Endorses his action in assuming that
that government is now de jure and
in welcoming it into the family of ma
tions. Germany his instructed her
diplomatic representatives at the
isthmus to open relations with the
new government. All the other ma
tions will do the same. This state of
things is going to have an effect on
the democrats in congress. The dem
ocracy has Ibeen called the jackass
party for many years, and with very
good reasons, but it will hardly be
idiotic enough to come out as party
against the course of the administra-
ton in the Panama case. Individual
democrats will oppose it, some be-
cause they would sssail anything that
is republican in conception and is
patriotic. Others will be against it
out Of sheer stupidity. But this OBJ
structiveness will accomplish moth
ing. III canal treaty with the new
republic is sent to the senate it will
get the requisite two thirds vote in
that body. All the legislation which
is required to put the treaty into
operation and to indorse the action of
the administration in its great work
of civilization on the isthmUs will get
the approval of each branch of con-
gress- The question will come before
congress quickly, and it will prob
ably be bigger issue than anything
with which the present body will have
a chance to concern itself during its
two years of existence.