The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-11
DENIS IN THE DARK

kSAGkAO
GanaI Incident an sIssue.''
New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago, Nov. 11.--WaIter Well1nan,
in aWashington Specialize the Record
Herald says: s
S. The Democratic leaders in congress
are not quite sure that they want to
attack President Roosevelt and the
administration for the action of our
government at Panama. Early last
week the democrats were delighted
with the prospect. They were con-
WINGED the administration had given
them ready-made that which they so
earnestly seek-an issue on which to
go before the people. They were in
that enthusiastic frame of mind which
made them think of passing a vote of
thanks to President X Roosevelt and
Secretary Hay for having given them
such. an admirable opening. But now
anxiously discussing the question as
to whether it is good party policy to
condemn the administration for hav-
ing advanced American interests on
the isthmus and made sure of that
greatest of all developments Of the
worlds communications, the Panama
canal.
two houses has not as yet shaped up
SO that 1t is possible to foretell what
is to be done, the probabilities are
that after another day or two Of re-
Election, the leaders will advise the
rank and file that, after all, it is not
a good issue and that nothing is to
be made by laundering against the
administration concerning 1t. This
does not mean that no democrat will
criticize the president. Probably
there will be plenty Of criticism. But
the outlook is that it will come from
individuals merely and not as the re-
suit Of a, determination to- make a
party question out of 1t.
| HIT Stole Their Thunder.
Representative Hit greatly discour-
aged the democrats when he intro.
duced his resolution calling upon the
! administration for papers concerning
/ the Panama canal affair which may
be properly made public. Mr.. Hit
1 stole a march on the Would-be critics.
/ A dozen members were preparing to
do the very same thing, but the al
1 ADMINISTRATION forestalled them and the
house promptly passed the resolution.
It is known to every one that the adj
ADMINISTRATION asked Mr.. Hit to intro
lduce the resolution because the pres
lident and his advisers have nothing
Ito conceal and nothing to be ashamed
Of. To the contrary, they Will well
come an opportunity to place the facts
before the country in official form.
At Yesterdays cabinet meeting there
! was discussion Of the probability OF
/ democratic attacks. The consensus OF
4 opinion was that such attacks would
lbe a. good thing, and several members
of the cabinet expressed the hope that
their friends, the enemy upon the
sthill. would not desist from their pur-
sIpose.
Attack would only emphasize the
4 timeIiness, the value and the impor-
eitance of the action which the presi-
1 dent had taken. It may be admitted
THAT. as Senator Foraker said not long
lago, President Roosevelt is a little
stuuick on the trigger. but official his
tory Of the episode will show that
this was an instance in which celebrity
i of movement was quite as important
las moving at all.
Administration Is Ready.
The Administrations presentation OF
s the case is all prepared and will be
Isent to the house Of representatives
exposition Of the entire episode, In
Guiding the efforts made by, this gov
Iernment to secure treaty with CO.
Ilombia, the pledges given In Colon
Ibia's behalf and the subsequent repu-
j diation of every obligation at Bogota
!. letter the spirit OF graft" and strike
had become rife. In the form OF Of
If1cial documents will appear q history
OF the attempt Of Colombia to black
feffort to make the new Panama Canal
a company stand and deliver.
II The report will show that the atti-
j tude OF the United States has not only
lbeen one OF patience and long suffer
ling, but that Is has from first to las1