The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-19

anna Matter Is Desired by the
Democratic SenatOrs-If the United
states Government FOmented the
Revolution, Honor Would Demand
That the United States Not EnteR,
Into the Treaty.
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, Dec. 1S.-In conversa-
ton with Senator's Bacon and Clay
relative to the Panama treaty they
expressed themselves substantially as
follows, and while this is not an in
terview, it may be taken as a correct
statement of their views on the sub
ject:
There has been no policy yet de-
termined upon by Democratic senators
relative to the Panama treaty, but
whatever is finally determined upon
will probably be supported by all of
them.
There has been much fuller informa-
ton given during the past four weeks
as to the facts connected with the
revolution. This additional information
has added largely to the gravity and
magnitude of the questions involved.
We are trying to get still further in
formation, and until there has been
secured the fullest information, the
Democrats in the Senate will not decide
upon the course they will pursue.
"One fact of a very serious character
which has been as certained is that
the United States government on the
day before the alleged revolution
ordered the United States warships,
which had been previously ordered to
Colon and Panama, not to permit the
Colombian government to land any
troops to suppress any attempted rev.
olution. 1t is difficult, in the absence
of further information, to avoid the
conclusion that the United States gov
ernment if not the instigator, was
mainly instrumental in accomplishing
the alleged revolution.
Further information may show to the
contrary, but so long as this appears
to be the case, it presents a most Sc
rious situation.
Did the Government FOments
"If the revolution was fomented In
the United States, the government of
the United States having nothing to
do with it and taking no part in the
| revolution, then there would be ground
| for the contention that, if the republic
| of Panama became firmly established
and recognized by other governments,
| the United States government could
enter into treaty with it without dis
| honor. But, if it is shown that the
| United States government itself To-
mented the revolution and by it's ac-
| ton made it successful that is a very
different thing.
The facts should be carefully ascer-
tanned before we proceed. If the United
| States government did foment and ar
range beforehand for the revolution
and actively aid it, then the question
| of entering into the treaty with Pana-
ma is one that touches very closely
the honor of the American people.
"In addition to this, some of the pro-
visions of the proposed treaty present
very serious questions, which must be
carefully considered One of these is
, that which guarantees the independ-
| ence of Panama and undertakes to
maintain it. 1t is certainly a serious
matter to undertake the independence
| of a Central American state among
| other states where wars and fighting
! are the favorite occupation of the peo-
pie, and particularly where the hos
! tility which has been caused by this
| matter will make wars certain between
| Panama and Colombia, as well as other
| Central and South American countries.
Constitutional Violation.
Then, again, to enter into alliance
| with country now practically at war
with Colombia, it is commended, is
practically for the United States to de-
clare war against Colombia. If so it
is a violation of the constitution to de-
clare war by a treaty. The constitu-
ton says that only Congress can de-
clare war, and the power is not given
to the President and the Senate. That
is most serious question and one not
| lightly to be set aside.
1T is important that the desire for
the canal should not close our eyes to
the magnitude and Importance of such
questions affecting the honor of the
! government and the preservation of its
| most important and fundamental fea-
ture. 1t is a mistake to assume that
the construction of the canal is depend
ent upon the making of a treaty with
| Panama. The law now upon the
statute book plainly directs the Presi-
dent what to do to construct the canal.
The law provided that the President
| should construct the canal at Panama,
| if he could get good title to the par
TALLY constructed canal, and If CO.
lombia agreed to the ratification of the
treaty. but that If this could not be
done, then he should proceed to ar
range for the construction of the ca
nal by the Nicaragua route. That is
the law now. Practically the whole
South has preferred the Nicaragua
route, and all the Democrats in the
Senate and House voted for the Mica
ragua route. That being the law
there is the greatest reason why the
Senate should carefully consider all
the questions connected with the PAN
ANA treaty and not be hurried into a
panic"
The relationship of the United
States to the new republic of Panama
continued to be the leading theme in
the Senate to-day, but the discussion
was confined to one senator and was
not so exciting as yesterday.
Mr.. Daniel of Virginia was the
speaker and he advocated the accep-
lance OF Mr.. Hoars resolution calling
upon the President for more infor-
nation relative TO the November rev.
olution in Panama.
Mr.. Cullom called attention TO tbs
fact that the treaty has not been acted
upon by the Committee on Foreign
Relations and intimatlng that IL was
not in order to discuss 1t.
Mr. Daniel retorted by saying thai
there lis so much nervousness ovel
any inquiry on the part OF Republican
senator's as 10 cause them 10 jump be
fore they have been spurred. He re-
lterated his statement that the Presi
dent had discussed the treaty IN public
and called attention 10 Secretary
Ioomls' New York speech. as well al
10 the debates In the Senate. and de-