The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-11-18

oCtCthlihcu tO nave nothing put peace.
 Why, the idea of our fighting Colom- bia is absurd" he said to a senator to- day. Suppose they show fight? Well, we simply won't fight them. We'll take them by the hand and tell them to be good fellows and go back home and keep out of trouble. There will be no fight ing"
 Just as soon as it may be possible the administration wants to negotiate a treaty with Panama. The moment treaty is concluded the United States will of course have rights in the isthmus which it does not now possess, and among these rights will be protection of the canal zone and enforcement of the sovereignty of the republic, these being parts of its obligation under the new compact. Once a treaty is ratified the position of the United States will be be-. yond criticism, and until that time the President is not afraid to stand in the breach. operating under the treaty of 1S46
 For these reasons the President wishes to have the new treaty submitted to the Senate without delay. Secretary Hay and Minister BunauVarilla are already nego- tiaing. The treaty will soon be ready.
 When 1t is sent to the Senate the President will ask for a speedy ratifica- tion. and he will get 1t unless the Dem- ocrats decide to commit the blunder of playing politics by opposing or de- laying 1t.
 The Democrats of the Senate are con- fronted by a peculiar problem. What many of them would like to do is to de- nounce the administration for the rob- bery" at the isthmus. But they want a canal, too. If they condemn the admin istration for it's support of the revolution how can they then turn round and vote for the canal treaty? That would be too much like crying Stop thief! and then l accepting a share of the spells. Hence the dilemma of the Democrats. If they open up their batteries on the President $ consistency will require that they vote against the treaty, but tho canal is SC popular throughout the country they dare not do so. Therefore the more eau tious of them are afraid to open their mouths in criticism of the administra- tion.
 The report that the Democratic steer ing committee had decided to fight the treaty was a mistake. No decision has been reached. A Democratic caucus is to be held next week on the Cuban reel procity question, and when the canal treaty is ready caucus on that will be oemanoeu by many Democrats. The Dem- ocratic senators are not united, and there is little probability that they can be induced to oppose the treaty en bloc.
 There are Democratic extremists like Morgan and Teller who would like to have the minority stand solid and defeat the treaty. It is within the power of the Democrats to prevent ratification. but as that would hang up the canal for anoth- CT year and provoke the country there Is hardly possibility that the minority will care to assume this responsibility.
 Publication of parts of the message which President Roosevelt had prepared before the revolution at Panama has about stopped the criticism that he had encouraged the rebellion. The frank and manly attitude of the President, his determination to face the problem bold ly and to go to Congress for authority to proceed, as well as his fairness to Co., lombia, have produced a most excellent impression in Washington. In fact, the threats of the minority of the Senate to make war upon the President and to hold up the treaty are not so much in evidence as they were day or two ago. President Roosevelt has been told by three Democratic senators that they cor dially support his policy and will vote for the canal treaty.