The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-19
WILEY fAVORS TREATY
1foNTo01fEnx 0oMaNrssMAN'
 HOME FOB HOLIDAYS.
Talks With Interest of nlfuatlon on xsthmus of Panama and Stands
 by President 10oseveif's Position.


 xsthmus of Panama and Stands
 by president 10oasveif,s
 Position.
 --~--e-
 Congressman A. A. Wiley of the Sec ond Aiabama district. who has 3ust como home from Washington for the holidays. declared yesterday that he favored the Panama treaty and added thatyif he was member of the United States Senate he would vote for 1t.
 "The House of Representatives. of course. has no jurisdiction. or authority to ratify or confirm treaties.s said the congressman. That Is a matter belong ing exclusively to the Senate.
 Representative Dinsmore of Arkansas. few days ago assailed the administra- ton vigorously for It's action in recog- nixing the belligerency or independence of the Panama republic. but took occa- sion to say that the South was so much in favor of an isthmian canal that he was satisfied the Senate would fati. fy a treaty with the new government of Panama
 The matter has not been much dis cussed among representatives, but the consensus of opirson among Southern members. as far as [ am able to as- certain. in casual way, Is in favor of a speedy ratification of the treaty.
 The truth k, Colombia was not enti- tied to any considerate treatment at the hands of the United States government. few years ago the President of Colom- bia earnestly entreated the United States to enter into a treaty for the construc- ton of the Panama canal These negotia- tons led to the drafting of q treaty, known as the Hay-Herran treaty. which the Senate promptly ratified and trans- mitted to the Colombian Congress at Bo- gota. This body acted in bad faith Pro- ceeding upon the idea that the Panama Canal Company could not give a good title to the United States without obtain ing renewal of it's concessions, the Co., lombian Congress procrastinated and re- fused to ratify this treaty. with the man. Hest object in view of extorting the s4o,- 0Oo,Oo0 promised by this government to the Panama Canal Company. besides other large sums of money.
 Tt appears that the Colombian govern ment had two generals, one colonel and 4O0 troops at Panama about the time the insurrection was inaugurated. The revo- lutionists put the Governor and these two generals in prison, and when the col onei threatened to destroy the property of American citizens and to put them to death forty United States marines were landed on the isthmus to protect Ameri- can interests and property. The revolu- tiopists proceeded at once to bribe the Colombian colonel by paying him 5000 in gold to remove his troops. Thereupon the revoiutioniets succeeded, and the republic of Panama became an established fact.
 ''The President claims that under the Granada treaty. in view of this state of facts, 1t was his duty to preserve the peace of the isthmus in order that free transit of the worlds commerce across 1t should not be disturbed.
 This, it strikes me, is a strong position to talze-much stronger in fact than was the condition of affairs which existed at Honolulu at the time the United States recognized the Independence of the Ha- waiian islands and landed 400 marines there to protect the lives and property of American citizens. If the United States was justified in the Honolulu case we certainly ought not now to censure the administration for what we recently did at Panama.
 Tt is contended that the President did indirectly that which he ought not to have done directly: that is to say virtu- ally seized the isthn1s of Panama in or der to construct a waterway through it. Ever if this be true, the people of this country are so anxious for a canal to 
 that his action in this extreme case will. in my opinion. be applauded by a majority of the people living south of Mason and Dixon's line.
 "Of course. considerable number of the membership of the House. who favor cd the Nicaraguan route think that the reasonable time allowed the President, under the Spooner law. in which to per- feet negotiations with the Colombian gov ernment. had elapsed; and that having failed in that direction he should have endeayored in good faith and without fur ther delay to enter into a treaty with Nicaragua for the construction of a canal through that territory: but 1t now being definitely determined that the administra- ton at Washington will not consider the latter route, the question of momentous importance to the South. especially, now presents itself: Shah we lose altogether the marvellous benefits which will come to us from an isthmian canal in order to gratify an indulgence of sentimentality for a perfideous people, whose own mar row and selfish conduct has not only been condemned by most of the civilized na- tions, but which also threatened the peace and commercial prosperity of the world.
 The chief object of government, after all, Is to compensate and recompense any disadvantage by some counter-bal- ance of good. Practical statesmanship means that nations have the right to an- ticipate difficulties and to prepare agains, them. Whatever is necessary to be done to promote the welfare. advance the in. terests and preserve the peace of this country ought to be done, and done quickly.
 ''This Is my opinion of the situation and if I was member of the Senate l would vote for ratification of the treaty"
 Congressman Wiley said there was lit- tie legislation of interest touching his district although he continues to have rural mail delivery routes established in this section of the State.
 Congress will reconvene on January and Congressman Wiley says he looks to see the body continue in session until July.
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