The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-12-22

lSStu I'D III SltutttIOH dS SIc- l
ated to Make a Campaign Issue
So the Wan Party Gould Remain in !
POwer-Mr. Foraker Defended the
Administration - Pensions Appro-
priation Bill, Carrying 13S,15O,1O
is Passed by the House.
Washington, December 1.-THE
Senate today was the scene of a most
important debate on the isthmian ca |
nal question as affected by the Presi-
dents recognition of the independence
of the republic of Panama. The dis
cussion began with a speech by Mr..
Hoar on his resolution of inquiry and
lasted several hours. In addition to
Mr.. Hoar's address there were speech
es by Mr.. German and Mr.. Foraker.
All three were notable utterances,
and of historical interest.
Mr.. Hoar confined his remarks to
his resolution, and they were careful
ly written out and read from manu-
script. He held that his country has
not yet received full official informa-
ton concerning the isthmian revolu-
ton and criticised, in sharp terms, the
conduct Of this country as shown by
what has been, given out.
There was no reservation in Mr..
Germans utterances. He practically
alleged hat the situation in Panama
had been created to make a cam
paiSn issue, and said that unless fur
Their light was thrown on the subject
he would oppose the fanama treaty.
Mr.. Foraker took Mr.. Hoar to task
severely for his remarks rejecting OH
the administration. He defended the
administration for it's attitude toward
the Panama revolt. A heated COLO
guy took place between Mr.. Foraker
and Mr.. HOa during an effort Of the
Massachusetts Senator to explain
more fully his position IN the mat
ter.
Mr.. Hoar said he was in favor of
the isthmian canal, but was ANXIOUS
that the canal should be built with
out faint or suspicious of national dis
honor" What we want to know 1s,~
he said, did this government, Know
ing hat a revolution was about to
tax place, SO arrange matters that the
revolution, whether peaceable or 9TH
ervise, should be permitted to go on
without interruption, and whether our
national authorities too measures to
prevent Colombia from stopping it,"
Mr.. Hoar quoted the correspon-
dence bearing upon the revolution
n asked why this great anxiety
before any disturbance had occur
red?" 1t was, he said, clear that if
the correspondence so far printed, in
cluded all the information possible to
give on the subject, that from "a to
4S hours before the revolution broke
out this government had instructed
a man-of-war to prevent Colombia
from doing anything 70 prevent it.
81 want to know and the American
people want to know, and ave q
right to know whether this mighty
policeman or the isthmus, seeing q
man about to attack another, is justi-
fed before the blow is struck, in
whether, after the assault has been
made, the policeman is justified in
claiming that the pocket book which
has been taken from the victim by
: the assailant SHOULD be turned over
to him (the policeman on the ground
that he was rightful ovner?"
Mr.. German took the floor as soon
AS Mr.. HOar had concluded and there
was from the start evident interest in
what he might say. He began with
n reference to Mr.. HOar's speech and
compIimented that Senator highly on
his attitude and alluded to the Demo-
| cratic attitude ON the canal question.
on the latter point he said that
ocratic Senators generally are as fa-
vOrable to the construction of the
canal as are Republicans.
Mr. German said the facts were all
that were desired, and he proceeded
10 refer to the extension of the exc
cutive influence, saying that this in
| fuenca hid been extended from time
| to time until the Senate had become
practically n agent IF the execu-
tive" The affair in Panama. he de-
! clqred. was the most fragrant act OF
transgressi0n that hrs ever taken
place in the history Of the country.
md It should be resisted without re-
gard to party.
Mr.. German criticised Mr.. LOOMS
for his discussion of the Panama
situation at a New York banquet be-
fore injunction Of secrecy had been
removed by the Senate. Mr.. German
sa!d Mr.. LOOMS hac discussed the
Pon9ma situation az a banquet at
which perhaps many were excited by
wine. and had given information
which the Senate had not had from
the administration or from any
source. He did not" Mr.. German
continued, tell the country all the
facts. but he made the broad asser-
ton that the President was a bold
and great man. who had lao the
courage T the patriotism to LAND
marines and seize a part OF the terri
tory Of the republic of Colombia
which We were under contract to
guarantee to that country. This is
he added. in the light Of the facts
before US nothing less than usurpa-
ton"
Mr.. German then discussed the
President as a Second Napoleon
which title had" he said. been as
signed 70 him by some" "a second
Napoleon. indeed" he exclaimed
lid il come to this that the United
States must have n Napoleon to shape
its destinies and to distort the PreSi-
dental Office from its rop func-
tons"
Here Mr.. Aldrich interrupted Mr.