The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-03-15
IN SECRET SESSION
SENATE HEARD ARGUMENTS
ABOUT THE CANAL.
SPO0NER SPOKE FIVE HOURS
ANSWERING THE CLAIMS MADE BY
SENATOR MORGAN.


the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Would
Practically Mean American Sow
ereignty Over the Canal, and
That Is What the Democrats
Want-Depew Says Canal Would
benefit Railroads.
Washington, March 14.-Without the
transaction of any business in open
session, the Senate to-day went into
executive session.
Previous to the closing of the doors
the official stenographers and all the
employees of the official reporters Of
flee were sworn to secrecy, and when
the doors were closed one of
the reporters was invited in
to make detailed report
of the proceedings, with the
understanding that it should be pub
lished after the vote on Tuesday next.
When the doors were closed Senator
Spooner began his speech on the Pan
anna canal treaty In. reply to Senator
Morgan. Departing somewhat from his
usual directness, Mr.. Spooner intro
duced his remarks with series of COM
plimentary illusions to Senator Nor
gan, in which he touched upon Mr..
Morgan's great familiarity with all
questions pertaining to an inter-oceanic
canal, as we'll as his generally acknowl-
edged interest in that subject.
Much of his speech was legal in
its character and was devoted to sus-
tanning the point of view presented by
Attorney General Knox in his report
upon the title which the Panama Ca
nal Company is capable of making to
the canal property and franchises. He
expressed the view that there could be
no doubt that this company has come
legitimately into possession of the ca
nal concession, and he said that, having
so acquired the property. it had an
undoubted right to transfer it in turn
to the United States or to any other
purchaser.
sharp Issue With Morgan.
Senator Spooner took sharp issue
with Senator Morgan as to the neces-
sity of making inquiry concerning the
credentials of Senior Herran, who was
Colombia representative in the ne
try saying that such a proceeding on
the part of our company in negotia-
ton with another would be most extra
ordinary, and that it would be certain
ly resented. He said that one eoun-
try, in making a treaty with another,
must recognize the de facto right of
the other, and that 1t could not enter
into inquiry as to origin or substan-
TALLY of the other government
He also made reply to Senator Nor
gan's references to the religious aftili-
atoms of the Colombia government.
Senator Morgan had contended that
the United States had practically allied
themselves with the church party in
Colombia, and that they had in effect
committed themselves to the terms
concordat or agreement between Pope
Leo and the Colombian government.
This view Mr.. Spooner characterized
as entirely contrary to the facts He
said that under the treaty there would
be no pretext for the interference by
Colombian authorities with the relig-
ious conduct or affiliations of Ameri-
cans in the canal zone.
In his discussion of the title of the
Panama Canal Company, Senator
Spooner traced the history of the liqui-
dation proceedings concerning the canal
concessions through the French courts.
Mr.. Spooner commended for the regu-
fore urged that the claim, of title was
perfectly good.
Senator Spooner claimed that the
United States would have indisputable
right to fortify the canal under the
general provision of the treaty author
izng its defense.
Would Like Few Changes.
Towards the close of his address
spooner was questioned by number
of Democratic senators, particularly by
Senator Morgan. In reply to their
questions and also of his own accord
Senator Spooner said that there were
some features of the treaty which he
would prefer to have otherwise, but
that the terms were the best it had
been possible to secure, and in view
of the general popular desire for an in
ter-oceanic canal he believed that ex-
pediency demanded that the treaty
should be accepted, as it had been sent
10 the Senate by the President.
Mr.. Spooner closed at sos o'clock
after speaking for just five hours. He
was followed by Senator Depew, who
read written speech, supporting the
treaty as in the interest of the people
OF the entire country. He referred to
the criticism that the canal would be
injurious to the railroad interests and
said that as a railroad man he was
not be the case. On the contrary. he
was of the opinion that the construc-
tlon of the canal would, stimulate all
lines of business and that the railroads
would share in this prosperity.
Amendment Is Ordered.
Senator's ordered the following
amendment to the treaty, being a
substitute for article XIII, to which
the Democratic senators take excep-
ton:
The government of the United
States shall have and exercise the ex-
elusive right to provide and enforce
such means and measures as 1t may
deem advisable and necessary for the
regulation and management of the
canal and for the safety and protec-
ton thereof. and of the ships that
make use of the same. and the rail-
ways and other works within said
Zone, including oil persons and cargoes
and freights and other property con-
nected with the construction. main
tenance and operation of said canal
and use thereof: and for the accom-
plishment of these ends. and for the
enforcement and maintenance of peace
and orders within said zone and for
the protection OF said property and OF
the lives and persons of those em-
ployed upon the canal, railway and
other works, or engaged In the use
thereof, the United States shall en-
pioy such force as may by II be DEEM
"a necessary, and to this end shall have
me right, az al times, and IN its