The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1903-11-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.

w ASHlNGI0N LETTER,
The Fifty-eighth Congress began its
special session Monday, and from now on
until the politicians return home next
spring to prepare for. the presidential
struggle, Washington affairs will monop-
Ollie the attention of our public men.
The first legislative battle will be over the
Cuban reciprocity legislation, and al
though there is hardly any doubt about
the passage of the bill to render the treaty
effective, the debates on the subject will
be very sharp, especially as they will
involve discussion of the tariff. The
republicans will probably encourage tariff
talks they believe the people are with
them on this question and also that it
will prevent, to a certain extent, discus.
sion of the scandals in the Government
Departments, out of which the democrats
wish to make political capital. Foreign
affairs, especially the revolution in Pan
ANA and the hostility of Colombia to this
country may cause some interesting de-
bates in the Senate, which will no doubt
consider also the Chinese commercial
treaty, the benefits of which are being
threatened by Russia's action in Man
churia. The most interesting members
of the Senate from now until the presi-
dental candidates are decided upon will
be Hanna and German, both of whom
since the recent election are considered to
be presidential possibilities.
Officials of the State Department, as
well as all who are interested in the canal
negotiations, are watching closely the
efforts OF Panama to gain her independ-
ence. The revolution on the Isthmus is
now in full progress. The Republic of
the 1sthmus, as the new state calls it
self in its declaration of independence,
has established a government under tri
unvirate, driven out all Columbia troops
who were hostile to revolution, adopted
flag which is red, white and blue, and
is now demanding recognition by this
government. The secession of the 18th
mus was expected. It's geographical con-
nection with Columbia is loose one, and
the two sections were antaeonistic.
When the Bogota government rejected
the canal treaty and thereby DELAYED the
construction of the canal which is so de-
sired by Panama, talk of separation be-
came general on the Isthmus and has
now been put into effect with every
prospect of success. Our con su1ar officers
have been instructed to recognize the de
tacto government and this is the first step
III recognizing the new republic United
States warships are at Panama and
Colon, and marines have been landed to
maintain an open traffic on the Isthmus,
as this government is obliged to do by
the treaty of 1916, which was signed with
New Granada, of which Colombia is the
remaining part. Senator Cullom of the
Committee on Foreign Relations says
that he hopes Panama will establish a
government which we can recognize and
$500 "4'H iSSoiuihS tuS CduaI, ana his
opinion is shared by all those who be-
lieve in the Panama route. Senator
Morgan on the other hand, declares that
revolution puts an end to the negotiations
with Colombia and that President Roose-
welt is now bound by the positive instruc
tions of the Spooner act to take up the
Nicaraguan route. However it is general
ly admitted that the quickest and surest
way would be to treat with Panama di-
rect. Unless Colombia can put down
the revolution quickly, which is very i'm
probable this country will doubtless re.
cognize the independence of Panama, and
establish kind of protectorate over it.
1t has population of only about ESQ, 900
and could hardly hope to exist long by
itself Our treaty obligations of presery.
ing traffic on the isthmus would be suf.
ticient grounds for us to protect the state
from outside aggression or even internal
disorders. The case presents interesting
political possibilities and will bring about
much discussion.
~
AhOoC ueIS WHO make an impartial eS-
innate of the results of the recent cleo.
tons agree that the party honors were
about evenly divided, and that Senator
Hanna, Senator German and Representa-
tive Hearst have achieved the personal
victories, as far as national politics are
concerned. The big republican majority
in Ohio is attributed to Senator Hanna,
who was the real issue of the campaign
and bore the brunt of the contest, and it
is regarded as death blow to the polit-
ical aspirations of Tom Johnson.
The success of the democrats in Marv-
land is credited to Senator German who
took very active and aggressive part in
the end of the campaign, and succeeded
in making it one of national Significance
by attacking President Roosevelt aud his
negro policy. There is no doubt that the
Maryland Senator has increased his
power in the democratic party and con.
sequently his chances of leading it in the
presidential campaign. He now stands
out as the champion of those who would
distranchise the negro, and if he receives
the nomination the race question would
be the main issue.
In New York City, Tammany succeed.
ed in making the municipal campaign
party contest, and the democrats won by
majority So large as to warrant them in
believing they can carry the state next
year. Iammany was opposed by the en-.