Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-12-12
IN THE HOUSE.
Spirited Debate Over Recognition OF
Panama by United States.

Washington, Dec. 1.-THE birth CT
the republic of Panama and it's recog-
milton by this government, was the
subject of a spirited debate in the
House, today. Dnsmore. DEM, Ark,
during consideration of the pensions
appropriation bill. severely criticized
the administration in connection wit,
the canal, and Hit, Rep, ILL.,, chair
man of the foreign affairs committee.
replied in a vigorous defence of the
President and his Central American
policy.
Williams. Miss, the minority leader
replied to Hit, declaring that the mi
norlty did not condOne the part taken
by this government in connection with
Panama affairs.
Nearly the whole of the hour-hours
session was taken up in a discussion
OF the lSthmian question. No cOnciu-
sion was reached on the pension bill.
Van Voorhis Rep, Ohio, of the appro-
priations committee. made statement
concerning the provisions of the bill,
when the debate depressed to Panama
The House adjourned until Monday.
The House resolved itself into a COM
mittee of the whole for the consider
ton of the pension approximation bill
with Lawrence, Mass. in the chair.
Van Foorhis, Rep, Ohio, explained
that the provisions of the bill were
practically identical with those of last
years measure.
Dlnsmore, DEM, Ark, who was re-
cogniZed Cor one hour, took occasion to
speak of the republic of Panama. He
said the republic had been established
and that it existed by the power Of the
United States and that without that
Power it could not exist. Nothing had,
he said, been gained that could not
have been gained in a straightforward
and honorable way. He explained that
he did not use the word honorable"
in an offensive sense, but insisted that
but for the action of the United States
there would be no republic of Panama.
Dinsmore, referring to the provisions
of the Panama canal bill, said:
Here is the law. Did the President
obey it? Everybody knows that he
made no pretense of obeying the law.
Has any excuse been offered why he
did not obey it? He has not even
vouchsafed to Congress whose law he
has violated, the slightest excuse. Is
he above the law? Indeed, Mr.. Chair
man, if this is true, we have come upon
evil times when the executive power of
government can usurp authority and
cast aside the expressed wish of Con-
gress declared in law"
Dinsmore criticised the hasty recog-
milton of the republic of Panama He
hot LJox 1oo,~ ,nI n<ofn
craft at the feet of Abraham Lincoln
and referred to the attitude of the gov
eminent in 1860 towards the question OF
recognition, saying that Mr.. Hay had
now taken a different view of that
question. He characterized the revo-
luton as opera bouffe, and said a canal
could have been built under the canal
act without overturning any precedent.
Hit, Rep. Ills, chairman of the COM
mttee on foreign affairs, replying to
Dinsmore, said he was astonished at
the remark of the gentleman from Ar
kansas, saying such attacks on the gov
eminent would not be made by any for
oener in discussing its action.
Dinsmore disavowed any purpose to
impute dishonorable or improper mo-
tives to the officers of the government.
Hit said there was nothing hasty
or unique in the recognition of the
new republic, as it occurred five days
after the PRONUNCIATION of the indie
rendence of the republic.
williams, Miss, asked if this was
not the first time in South American
history that the other fellow had been |
prevented from shooting back"
Hit replied that he did not know it |
to be so, but said that troops could |
be sent to Colon only to interfere with |
traffic on the isthmus and that the |
United States is under obligation to |
prevent interruption of this traffic. |
Hit made a vigorous defence of the |
administration in connection with the |
republic of Panama. His references |
to the President caused loud applause |
on the Republican side. The Presi- |
dent, said Hit. had not been precipi- |
tate but had waited n reasonable time. |
But" he said, "he did not waste time,
loudly applauded on the Republican
side.
Ordinarily" Hit went on, when a
ship is in port and a disturbance or !
occurs, we land troops to
protect Americans IToHi DelIlS hllltu
or robbed. We have done that in
France and we will do it anywhere.
I'm the case of Panama our situation
was different, from that of any spot on
earth. We had q solemn and binding
engagement which had been impressed
upon us by all the years. Often we
were called upon by the Colombian
government, oftener by events, to en-
force the obligation to keep that path
open from sea to sea; not to aid nor
to suppress rebellion. but to keep the
path open and when we landed troops
ut Colon their duty under the treaty
was plain to let no armed men or
cause Of any kind disturb the open,
free course of commerce or of move
ment in the pathway across the 18TH
mus" applause on the Republican
side).
Now it happened in the course of
human events that in this case our
luty in good faith under the treaty to
Keep that highway open followed in
with and brought out a consequence
which was grave to Colombia. She has
INVOKED that interference before, but it
30 happened that always heretofore it