New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-18
TFRoM The TRIBUNE sUREAU.I


Washington. Dec. IA bitter attack the
President. expressed in the polished diction of
Senator Hoar and read by him from carefully
prepared manuscript proved the sensation of
the day at the Capitol. He speaking his
resolution calling on the President practically TO
prove that the Chief Executive and the Secre-
tary Of State had not a previous and improper
knowledge of the Panama revolution. He be
gan ny protesting admiration and confidence in
the President and ended by characterizing him
as a bullying policeman.
Now, MIR. President he said in conclusion,
Il want 10 know-I think the American people
want to know and have A right to know
whether this mighty policeman. instructed TO
keep the peace on that isthmus, seeing a man
about to attack another. before he had struck
his blow manacIed the arms Of the attacked so
that he could not defend himself. leaving the as
sailant free. and then instantly proceeded TO
secure from the assail1nt the pockethook of the
victim. on the ground that he was de faeto the
owner
Since Mr Hoar abandoned the policy Of his
party in the Philippine debate. depicted Agui-
naldo as a modern Washington. and declared
that no matter how incapable Of governing
themselves the Filipinos might be, they were en-
titled TO the blessings of complete Independence.
his colleagues have not regarded him as amena-
BILE to party discipline. but that ne should now
deny 20 the Panamans the right of self-gov-
ernment despite the notorious msrUle Of Co
lombia proved a gTievous surprise
AS Mr. Hoar's drastic criticism fell from his
lips the delight of the Democrats became almost
irrepressible and Senator German could scarce
" contain himself until the Massachusetts, Ser
ator had completed his remarks. No sooner did
Mr. Hoar resume his seat than the Democratic
leader was on his feet, and. following up the
vet as an American Napoleon Mir. German was
bitter in his criticism. of the administration
doubIy bitter perhaps because of the failure
which has thus far crowned his efforts to unite
his Democratic colleagues in opposition to the
Panama treaty.
Senator Bailey briefly expressed the gratifca-
tion OF the Democrats that the Senator from
Massachusetts was 'on their side" to which Mr..
Hoar responded that he was not.
Senator Foraker replied to Senators Hoar and
German especially the former, severely con-
demning him for the impropriety of his re-
marks.
Senator Hoar. visibly irritated at the criticism,
sought to modify his written speech, but de-
clsred that he had no fear of the Senator from
Ohio.
Mr. FORAKER took the position that even the
Senator from Massachusetts had no right to
demand from the President proof that he had
told the truth in his Message TO Congress lie
pointed out how severely the President would
have been criticised had he failed promptly TO
recognize the Republic OF Panama, permitting
the Colombans 10 Obstruct traffic and endanger
passage across the isthmus. He dwelt on the
msrIe to which Panama had long been sub
jected. and presented conservative but COM
pIete refutation OF Mr.. Hoar's charges and in
situations
Up to this time the Democrats have been
| badly divided in their attitude toward the
Panama treaty Many of their number hesitate
to go before the country with record Of having
defeated the canal. but German and Bailey
convinced that their only hope OF success in
next years elections lies In discrediting this
admlnistrati tion, and willing to go TO any length
to reflect on the President. are working unttr-
ingly to unite the party IN opposition 10 the
Panama Canal
Republican members OF the Senate believe
that II united Democratic opposition defeats
the canal IL will prove a boomerang to the
party. but they earnest in their desire for a
canal and express disgust that a Republican
Senator should have contributed much aid
10 the Gormsn- Bailey leadership.