The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-07


lea, but have never failed TO appreciate
fits justice and strength?
These questions are now being seriously
debated in Washington in view of the
most recent developments in the Isthmian
CaEaI situation. and the State Depart
mcrt's willing belief that the action of
the Panama Senators and Representatives
in withdrawing from the Congress was the
beginning of an attempt at secession.
"oUR ATTITUDE OPEN
To EUROPEAN CRITICISM"
An important official Of the Department
of Justice, in discussing this phase of the
question to-day, said to The Republic
correspondent:
TT cannot be denied that our attitude
toward a threatened revolution in Panama
in the recent past and at present is al
together open to the criticism of Euro
pean nations. winch may at any time call
on us to defend the Monroe Doctrine.
But. more important than this. let me
say, IS the difficulty which the admins
tration will find in squaring itself with its
own country II, It puts Itself in the etti-
tude of encouraging a revolution in the
State OF Panama for the sake of obtain
ing the Panama Canal as its possible
suit. There is danger of this interpreta-
ton being made and some ground for IT,"
DOCTOR HERRAN ANXIOUsLY
SEEKS FURTHER DETAILS.
The news contained in The Republics
dispatches from Panama and the atti-
tude of the State Department in its inter
probation OF them have given Doctor Her
ran. the Colombian charge, a distinct
shock. To get additional details, he
cabled tonight to Governor Mutis-Duran
Of the State OF Panama. asking if it were
true that the Panama Senators and
Representatives had Withdrawn from Bo-
| gotta, and. il so, what was the Significance
| of the action.
Doctor Herran said that he expected an
| answer to this cablegram no later than
tomorrow night.
That the present situation in Colombia
| and Panama was foreseen by the officials
| OF the State Department is quite evident.
| although neither Secretary Hay nor any
| of the other high officials OF the depart
| ment will discuss the matter for publica-
| ton.
| As II became clearer each day that the
| Colombian Congress would reject the Hay
| Herran convention. there did not appear
| to be any diminution of the hope that the
| Panama Canal might still be built. In
| deed. the first intimation that it might be
| possible to treat with the independent
| State of Panama for a canal strip first
came from officials of the administration.
| and IL was strongly hinted that there was
no objection to the publication of this mat
ter.
II also will be remembered that Senator
| Culiom coming directly from the Presi-
dents house a; Oyster Bay. also reiterated
TO The Republic correspondent this same
/ possibility
MAY INFLUENCE PANAMA
TO TRY A REVOLUTION.
One of the counsel OF the Panama Canal
Company not long ago made himself re-
sponsible for the statement that the CAD
met actually had considered juggling with
the treaty OF 1876 with New Grenada, II
Panama should be able to free itself from
the rule of Colombia.
That an this has had an effect on the
Senators and Representatives from that
State in the Colombian Congress is be-
lieved here. and ii Is not denied that IL
may have had an influence in their with
drawal from Bogota.
Proof that Congress did not contemplate
any such state OF affairs is found In the
wording Of the Spooner act. which is ex-
plicit and distinct and provides for the
Nicaragua alternative In the event of a
failure to treat with the Government OF
| Colombia.
Certain members of both branches o!
Congress have not hesitated to criticise
the administration for going beyond the
powers granted by Congress in its init
nations to Colombia. made through Min
lister Beaupre.
Late River yev.