The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-25

Senator German has been credited with
being shrewd politician and party leader,
but 1T is evident that in attacking the Pan
ANA policy of the administration he has
made a blunder that may be fatal to his
reputation as leader and to his political
aspirations. There was some ground for
his attack in the fact that many Repub-
licans thought the action of the admins
tration had been somewhat hasty and re-
GREETED the complications that had followed,
but this did not mean that they were go
ing to oppose the administration. AS Sem
ator Hale put it: II do not like the situ-
alton, but have seen no way from the
beginning except to ratify the treaty and
make the best Of it,. That is as far as
any Republican goes. and it is not very
far.
Senator German thought that by caucus
action he could bring all the Democratic
senators into line against ratifying the
Panama treaty, and that enough Repub-
licans would vote with them to insure its
rejection. This would have been a severe
defeat for the administration and would
have enhanced Senator Germans reputa-
tion as political leader, which was his
main object From present appearances,
however, he is likely to fail on both
branches of the proposition.
AS already intimated. Republican criti-
cism of the administration is not likely to
amount to more than independent ex-
preston of opinion and regret for the COM
plications that have followed the recog-
that circumstances had not made it neces-
sary for the President to pursue the course
he did. and quite another to condemn him
for doing AS Senator Hale put it, he
did not like the present situation, but he
had seen no way from the beginning ex-
cept to ratify the treaty and make the
best of it, That expresses fairly well the
extent of Republican criticism Of the ad-
ministration. and there is not much of it.
either. Republicans generally have great
confidence In the wisdom and patriotism OF
| President Roosevelt and Secretary Hay
and are willing to believe they have done
the best thing possible under the circum-
stances with view of insuring the early
construction of the canal. If some Repub-
| leans were disposed to think at first that
the action of the administration in forming
a treaty with the new republic of Panama
was somewhat hasty. they are now ready tc
admit that the crisis called for prompt ac-
ton and that the President was in a bet
ter situation than anybody else to decide
what the situation did call for The Re.
publicans in Congress and throughout the
country are practically solid in support OF
the administration.
AS for the Democrats. Senator Germans
course has elected a decided protest anC
developed the existence of strong feeline
among Democrats in favor of the ratifca.
ton of the Panama treaty. This is partl,
| because they doubt the wisdom of makins
| political issue OF a question in which
American interests are involved. and partl,
because they want the canal and believ,
the administration Is pursuing the righ
course to get it. This sentiment is particu
larry strong in the South, where the loca
benefits of the canal are distinctly recog
nized. II has found expression in severa
influential quarters. The Legislature o
Louisiana has called upon the two senators
from that State TO vote for ratification O
the treaty. and 1t is expected other South
ern legislatures will do likewise. The At
lanta Constitution is urging ratification. an,
says: Southern senator's cannot escap
the certain conviction that vote from
4 tr,a
be a vote against the urgent interests an,
demands OF the progressive producing an,
business interests of the Southern States.
The Governor of Georgia is outspoken il
favor of ratification. and II is believed tina
both OF the Georgia senator's will vote 10