The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-12-30
THE DEMOCRATIC POSITION.

tors lake OF Gne PanaHia Calas
Ys and the Ratification of the
Treaty.
Washington, Dec. pa studied
effort is apparently being made to mis-
represent the position of Democratic
Senators and place them in a wrong
attitude with reference to this mat
tsr.'' This statement was made by
Senator Stone. democrat from Mis-
souri,, in speaking of the attitude of
his party on the question of ratlfying
the Panama canal treaty. He contln-
ned. ST believe would be absolutely
within the lines of accuracy to say
that with possibly three or four excep-
tions every Democrtic Senator hearth
ly favors the proposition to construct
an isthmian canal. But there is Wide
spread belief, shared by many Sena-
tors, that the part taken by our
government in the insurrection or rev
olntion in Panama was not honorable
and therefore that the treaty itself IS
tinctured with dishonor. What Sena-
tor German is seeking to do, is to
have the President and Secretary of
State furnish the Senate with the
facts showing the connection Of this
government with the transactions out
Of which shs republic Of Panama has
grown. They insist upon having the
facts that they may be better enabled
TO determine intelligently and salts
factorily what their duty is in the
premises. -
Senator Hale, republican from
Maine, condemned the course of the
Administration, although like Senator
Hoar, he will vote for the ratification
Of the treaty. He said, 81 do not like
the situation and am afraid it will in
volve US iii an expensive and prohtless
war, but have seen no way from the
beginning, except to ratify the treaty
and make the best OF it. Our govern
ment moved rather rapidly and with
some provision when the insurrection
broke out. ~
The republicans realize that it is in
the power of the democrats to prevent
the ratification of the treaty, for even
when the two Senators from Louisiana
carry out the instructions of their
state legislature to vote for it, the re-
publicans are still one vote short. They
Willfuily misrepresent the democratic
attitude toward the treaty in order to
discredit the. party with the people.
The democrats want facts and an open
discussion, while the republican Sena-
tors threaten to continue the con-
sideration of the treaty in secret ses-
sion, SO that the public will not hear
the criticisms Of the Administration.
General Reyes. the Colombian
emissay at Washington, has presented
his note to Secretary Hay, protesting
agafnst the action of the United
States in recognizing Panama and is
now awaiting his answer before re-
tuning to Colombia to take personal
command of the army. Be patient"
and remember that "war with Panama
means war with the United States" is
the subpsance of the cablegams which
he has sent TO his countrymen, advis-
ing them strongly against warlike
course. The General sees the hopeless
ness of struggle in which Colombia
opposes the United States, and he is
inclined to recognize Panama, and
strive to save what he can by having
the question of the division of Colon
bias debt referred to The Hague Tri-
bunal. At the same time he is by no
means certain that his people will
accept his advice, in spite Of the fact
that he is their president and COM
of the army.
Adyices from Colombia show that
the patriotism of her citizers has been
aroused and that men, women and boys
are offering their services and their
money for an expedition against Pana-
ma. Women and boys however are
always lcudest in war talk and this is
no unusual phenomenon It is posi-
BILE that their Latin American reckless
ness. coupled with their ignorance of
the United Safes, will lead them to
make war in which they would get
nothing but defeat and We neither glory
nor honor. The present Administra-
tion may have to answer for this
natural consequence of it's own act.
Admiral John G. Walker, who has
just returned from the Isthmus, re-
ports to President Roosevelt that the
force of marines on the Isthmus is
SumclenG TO protect Yanama, that che
health of the soldiers is good, that
their presence is desired by the in
habitants, but that the sending of re-
gular troops would cause uneasiness.
W. I. Buchanan, American Minister
to Panama. is now on the Isthmus and
was accorded magnificent reception
at the government palace. He had
body of troops as guard of honor and
all prominent officials, Panamese and
foreign, attended his reception.
Senator Bunau-Varilla has received
news that Great Britain has recogniz-
ed the republic of Panma, and Minis
ter Quesada of Cuba has informed the
State Department that Cuba has done
the same.
President Roosevelt and Secretaries
Root and Shaw favor the issue of
bonds to raise the money to pay for
the friar's land in the Philippines.