The Washington times., 1903-12-21
VOICES THE SENTIMENT
OF SOUTH ON CANAL
Clark Howell to Senators
From That Region.
SCORES H0AR AND DANIEL
Atlanta Editor Upholds Mr.. RoOsevelt's
Policy in Panama as the Only
Sane Course to Pursue.

ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. 21.-Clark How
ell. Democratic national committee
man from Georgia. defends President
Roosevelts Panama policy. and con-
dennis the Senators who have been
fighting the treaty. In this mornings
Constitution of which he is the edi-
tor. he says
THE Panama case is one Of the kind
where the facts should dictate duty
rather than sentiment, gucsses at in
ternational law and partisan consider
atoms. What are the facts in the
case? Colombia committed acts that
put in fullest jeopardy all the rights.
interests, and aspirations of the people
OF her department of Panama.
They believed the result would be
to rob them OF the ssthmlan canal and
doom them to a future of incense
quence and poverty. They frankly and
in ample season warned the authorities
at Bogota if that sacrifice was demand
ed of them they would secede and set
up an independent government.
Needed No Urging.
THE sacrifice was called for, and
Panama declared her independence. Her
people never for a moment needed the
urging of the American Government or
the alleged Vaccinations of Bunau-Va-
rilla to do what they did And wisely
enough they did their work so quietly
and quickly that Colombia had no time
TO prevent them, and her troops left
the isthmus with their unexplOded car
tridges in their guns.
what was the United States to do in
such a case. with it's obligations as to
the Panama transit and neutrality upon
it, our marines were landed to do our
duty in that one respect only. And
thos-e brave fellows stood for hours by
the station at Colon. faced by enraged
Colombian soldiers and in jeopardy of
being attacked and wiped out by them
any moment
Duty Was Plain.
Colon. the canal strip, and Panama
belonged in our Jurisdiction for the pur-
pose OF peace and order, and TO exer-
else that right 10 preserve them was the
only office performed by our forces or
and near the isthmus.
Suppose We Withdraw our recognition
and reject the treaty. What Will be
our position then, as viewed by the other
governments Of Europe and America
that also have recognized the new re-
public Of Panama.
Are we TO do this ridiculous thing
give up the canal there. withdraw oul
guardianship OF rail- transit now going
on and go hunting for terms with peo-
pie who would be fools If they did not
profit themselves tremendously by oul
predicament?
Hoar Makes No Case.
Let Il be admitted that all that hai
been quoted from Senator Hoar anC
from Senator Daniel and others Of hi.
Southern colleges is true and yet M
case is made that involves connivanc
with rebellion on the isthmus or a sec
riice of the national honor IN dealing
favorably with the new republic through
the ratification OF the pen-ing treaty.
Senator Hoar can afford to fight tn
canal so long as Boston is building
enormous terminal facilities TO handl
the ocean bound freights of the trans
continental railroads. Senator Hale o
Maine can afford 70 join him, since Port
land Is becoming the entrepot and ex
port depot OF the Canadian Pacific AN
Grand Trunk system.
Senator Teller and other Senator
may be Indifferent because the cana
does not appeal 20 any specific interes
I'm their States. But Southern Senator
cannot escape the certain convictiO
that vote from any one OF them ad
verse to the treaty will be vote agains
the urgent interests and demands Of tn
progressive producing and business IN
terests OF these Southern States