New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-17
Il PANAMA TREATY S4FEs
Democrats VIII attack President.
but Vote for Canal
IrRo4 TIE rRrRuxz suRnAr.I

washington Nov 16.-The meeting OF thH
Democratic Steering COMMITTEES OF the Senato
called this afternoon to consider the Panama
question turned out to be a surprise 20 the rad
zeal element Of the party. as IL demonstrate6
that only comparatively few Democratic Sem
ators would oppose the ratification Of a treaty.
with Panama when such submitted to ths
Senate. Senator Morgan is. OF course. I'M
pIacabIe enemy OF any agreement looking to tha
construction OF a canal by the Panama route.
The Senators from Texas. and possibly Senator
Pettus. will oppose the convention. as may SONS
other members Of the minority but the major
ity Of the Democrats realize that their constiru-
ents are too heartily IN favor of an tsrhr1ian
canal TO permit vigorous antasonisnn for parti-
san purposes to be attended with safety for the
men who attempt It No resolutions we're adopt
ed at the meeting. and no vote was taken. bus
an informal and protractsd discussion left no
doubt as to the sentiment of majority OF thu
minority Senators.
While most Of the Democrats will vote 70
ratify the Panama treaty. that will not prevent
their indulging in every variety Of criticism or
the President Those portions OF his message
written before the recent revolution IN Pan
ANA and recently made public. viii be used in
an attempt TO show that he was at heart in
sympathy with the revolution. and that he Is.
, therefore an unsafe man for President The
promptness with which the Republic OF Panama
was recognized by the administration will also
be made the basis for captious criticism, as will
every other incident in the Panama affair which
seems to be susceptible Of partisan distortion
In view of the fact that realization Of the
good sense Of their constituents viii compel the
Democratic Senators 70 vote to ratify the Pan
ANA treaty thus stultifying any criticism which
they NAV make Of the manner n which the lit
tie nation was brought into existence. the Re-
r,,,b1icans beIiey-e that at the utmost all the
Democrats can accomplish will to be make
themselves ridiculous Personal attacks on the
President will have no weight when coming from
such a source and when so obviously dictated
nv the necessities Of party without an issue.
and the proposition that the United States was
guilty Of bad faith in recognizing the Republic
of Panama, coming from men who at the same
session. almost with the same breath. VIII Vots
m ratffv a treaty made with that republic. VIII
IN IT'S very face be so absurd scarcely 70 call
for a replv from the supporters of the adminis-
/ tration.
While there has never been any doubt that
+vvo-+bfrds of the members OF the Senate would
vote 70 ratffv the Panama treaty. the outcome
of to-dav's meeting Of the Democrats affords
much satisfaction to the Republicans, who to-
night are quietly enjoying the discontinue OF
the opposition who find themselves compelled
nv the sentiments OF their constituents TO take
/ a sensible course when the exigencies OF party
/ poIitics. as they view them. demand that they
! oppose the administration at every turn.