New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-24
DEMOCRATS SEE DEFEAT.
PANAMA ISSUE GONE.
Gormdn's Leadership in the Senate
apparently Doomed.
TEnoM TIE rE1EuxE rrREAu.l

ifRoN TRIBUNE BUREAU.
Washington Dec 23-Several Democratic
Senator'S in Washington have to-day acknowl-
edged their Indebtedness to The Tribune for re-
vealing. by its exclusive dispatch Of this morn
ing the identity of the "bogie man. which
caused such terror last Saturday on the Demo-
cratic side OF the Senate chamber. When The
Tribune described with some evity the "ho-rd
spectre" which had been conjured up by the
morbid Imagtnatio Of Senators determined to
defeat the Panama treaty against their convic-
tons as to the proper course for them TO pursue
the Democrats were inclined to resent the dis
patch They declared that their 'bogie man.
was not a mere spectre. that it had a founda
ton in solid fact although they were not pre-
pared to say whether it was the annexation Of
Panama or the construction OF canal without
a treaty that would eventually reveal itself
from out the misty shadows which had thus far
half concealed. half revealed. that policy OF the
administration which threatened dire results to
the Democrats and. incidentally. promised to
feet seriously the leadership OF Senator
German.
Now. however, the Democrats relieved
Little they welcome the knowledge that their
cherished design OF embarrassing the admin
istration and creating an issue out Of the Pan
anna situation is doomed to ignominious defeat,
they are at least grateful that they are no
longer to be haunted by spectre, but know and
understand the full measure Of defeat which
awaits them They acknowledge that they are
defeated. that there is future for the anti
canal policy. and that once more they must
cast about for the material with which to form
a issue, but they glad that they have
not been permitted longer to cherish false hope
and that their holiday recess has been relieved
OF the presence Of a bogie, tndefnable and indie
scrtbabls by any word but awful.
Republican Senators themselves
as pleased with the turn affairs have taken
They do not to turn to the House for as
ststance. but they realize that the announce
ment OF the readiness OF the lower chamber TO
uphold the hands of the administration Sena-
tors will have its effect on the opposition, and
will doubtless operate to curtaN any otherwise
tedious and fruitess debate advanced by Demo-
cratic aspirants for campaign glory and with no
purpose except to reflect on the President and
his treatment OF the Republic of Panama.
course OF which the people. regardless Of party
or geographical lines Fastening to express
approval.
EFFECT ON MR. GORMAN's CAREER
What effect will this signal defeat OF his first
important campaign have on the career Of Sena-
tor German is the question which members OF
both parties are asking each other to-day. The
Democrats fear that It viii tend seriously to de-
accomplish which the Blackburn resolution was
so ingeniousy conceived and so laboriousIy
brought into the world. AS to the possible effect
on Mr.. Germans Presidential aspirations. the
Democrats refuse to express opinion
Republican members OF both houses are less
reticent. They are convinced that Mr. Germans
leadership IN the Senate IL doomed to the same
fate that has met every other leadership of the
consolidated POpuistic Democratic faction in
the upper chamber, and they strongly incline to
the belief that Mr. German has seriously injured
MS prospects as a candidate, not So much, per-
haps by falling to defeat the Panama treaty as
by attempting its defeat Practically every Re-
publican member of the Senate is convinced
that the Panama treaty will be ratified with the
help or a few Democratic votes. There seems TO
be no indication that Senator Hoar will vote
against it, much he may be inclined to cen
sure the policy which accomplished it's negotfa-
ton, and as for Senator Hale he has sDOken for
himself.
''Oh, think the Panama treaty will be rati
hed,' said Senator Hale to-day, although
can, or course, speak for other Senator
40 not Ike the situation, and am afraid it will
Involve US in an expensive and profitIess war:
but have seen no way, from the beginning ex-
cept TO ratify the treaty and make the best of
IL our government moved rather rapidly and
with some precision when the instruction broke
out but Colombia was holding us I'D and meant
to rob US, and as We were committed TO the
building of the canal by the United States and
some kind of government had been set I'D in
with that government, however quickly formed
and however immature it might be-
With solid Republican vote of ffty-seven for
the treaty, only three Democratic votes will be
required. Th4 Senators from Louisiana are al
ready instructed by their legislature. and Sem
ator Bacon has declared in an extended news
paper interview his intention of voting for the
convention.
Under the circumstances Santa Claus could
leave no more welcome gift in the stocking Of
Miss Democracy than-an issue.