The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-03-17
DEMOCRATS WILL
HAVE SOLID FRONT
Decide to Stand Together on
Amendments to Treaty
SENATORS ARE ALL IN LINE
Mr.. German Announces It the Policy
of Democrats to Say Plainly They
Would Prevent the Acquisition
Of Colombian Territory.
SENATORS ARE ALL IN LINE

Washington, March 16.-The democratic
senators at their caucus today resolved
to stand together in the senate In sup
port of two amendments to the Panama
canal treaty. One of these provides for
modification of the twenty-third article
of the treaty so as to insure the control
of the canal zone by the United States
and the other enlarges the provision in
the fourth article of the treaty which Is
a disavowal of any intention on the part
of the United States ITO increase its ter
ritory at the expense of Colombia or of
the sister republics in Central or South
America"
The Bacon Amendment.
The amendment suggested to the twen-
y-third article of the treaty giving the
government of the United States the ex-
elusive right to police and protect the
canal is practically effected by Senator
Bacon on Saturday. There were only ver-
bal amendments. the following being the
text agreed upon.
THE government of the United States
shall have and exercise exclusive right to
provide and enforce such means and
measures as It may deem advisable and
necessary for the regulation and manage
ment of the canal and for the safety and
protection thereof and Of the ships that
make use of the same and the railways
anu other works within said zone, includ-
ing all persons and cargoes and freights
and other property connected with the
construction, maintenance and operation
of said canal and the thereof; and for
the accomplishment of these ends, as well
as for the protection of the lives and per-
sons of those employed upon the canal
and railroads and other works, or engag-
ed in the service of the United States, the
government shall employ such force as
may be deemed necessary and In its dis
cretion to use its police and land and
naval forces for these purposes"
This amendment makes the control of
lac United States over the canal absolute
ly and exclusive and its right to police
ant protect the same Is under no circum-
stances dependent upon the request or in
vitation of the republic of Colombia.
Against Territorial Acquisition.
The other amendment agreed upon was
to article 4 of the treaty relating to the
policy of the United States toward other
Central and South American republics
the language OF the amendment being as
follows;
''The United States, following It's uni
form established policy In regard to
its sister republics In America, freely ac-
knowledges and recognizes the sovereign
ty of the republic of Colombia and dis
avows any intention to impair 1t In any
way whatever or to increase its territory
at the expense of Colombia. but most
earnestly desires for her peace and pros
perity."
After the adjournment of the caucus
Senator German as chairman and Sena-
tor Carmack as secretary gave out the
following statement concerning the last
mentioned amendment:
This amendment qualities the language
of the treaty to the extent of making a
simple affirmation of the established pol
icy of the government against the policy
of territorial acquisition at the expense of
sister republics in America and acknowl-
edges the sovereignty Of the republic of
Colombia. There was strong objection to
the language of the treaty in this respect.
because 1t was thought to be an imperti-
nence to enter into an agreement with
Colombia for the protection of other
South American republics. thus, in a
manner, recognizing that republic as the
representative of all the others and CIV
ing her a sort of primacy among them