Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-23
IF THE TREATY FAILS
Leaders in Congress Have
Another Plan Ready.
TO PASS A RESOLUTION
PROPOSED ACCEPTANCE OF CANAL
STRIP FROM PANAMA.
Recent Developments Indicate That It
Will Not Be Necessary to Resort to
the Method Suggested.

The republican leaders in Congress have
another card up their sleeves to play if
the Panama canal treaty should by any
mlschance. not apprehended now, fail of
ratification. They propose in that event to
pass through both houses a resolution,
which requires only ma jority vote, d-
recting the President to take the necessary
action for the acceptance of the concession
of the canal strip from the republic of Pan
anna.
1t will be recalled that the annexa ton of
Hawaii was accomplished in that way,
after a treaty of annexation had failed in
the Senate. Texas also was brought into
the Union in the same way, and in the
case of Cuba. Congress performed in an
appropriation bill functions that properly
should have been left to a treaty.
There is no lack of precedents therefore
for such action, and it may be stated that
the republican leaders are prepared to take
1t whenever it shall become apparent that
the Senate cannot ratify the treaty 1t is
not proposed, of course, to annex Panama,
but it is claimed that resolution could
specify the powers conferred upon The
President to conclude negotia tions for the
canal strip
Expect Ratification.
Recent developments. however, do not
be necessary to resort TO that method, as
they now believe that the. treaty will be
ratified and with several votes to spare.
Every day brings additional information
from the south showing that section of
the country to be ablaZe with enthusiasm
for the canal and putting the southern SEN
ators in the attitude of supporting the
treaty or misrepresenting their section.
Leader Germans only hope to beat the
treaty was to bind the democrats by the
decision of the caucus, knowing that he
could get the caucus support. Some OF
his colleagues. however familiar with the
feeling in their section, insisted upon loop
hole of escape from the caucus rule, in the
adoption of the clause making exceptions
in cases where legislatures instructed SEN
ators where there were questions of
constitutional construction involved. .'
Germans Prospective Slip Up.
In political circles there is Ssteresting gos-
sip about the prospective Afp-up of SEN
ator German in his attemptes. foray against
the canal. The question being freely
discussed whether he -hasx not dealt his
presidential prospects serious blow by his
attitude. German sentiment was pretty
strong in the south and 1t was believed
that he had good a chance as Parker
and better than Hearst TO get the southern
delegates.
1t is said now that his course in the
canal dIdIl Will De dkdihSl Hill oS
his rivals for the nomination, and that the
Marylander may have to do considerable
explaining to the democracy of the south
between now and next summer.
Senator Germans friends in the Senate
account for his position by the suppoSition
that he thinks that he may be in possession
of information whether accurate or mis-
taken, which might reflect on the admins
tration in it's dealings with the Panama
Or no other ground can
they account for his attitude. They say
false reports as the republicans contend he
has. his plight will be worse than it is now
when the facts come out, or rather when
his presumed facts fail to materialize.
Another Turn Looked For.
Congressman who are remaining in the
city during the holiday recess, keeping in
touch with the executive officials of the
government, expect to see the Panama situ-
alton take different turn at any moment.
which would subordinate the issue raised
by Mr. German to a live one, In the
minds of Well-pOsted men in public life
there is little doubt that the Colombians
intend to push II cir aggression against
Panama to point where they will cross
the American dead-line with the Inevitable
result.
When the first American marine falls on
the isthmus the Panama situation will take
on a new phase. and American congress-
men, it is said. will not be inclined to bark
back to discussion of ante-revolution ques-
tions and the splitting of hairs as to the
difference in time between the sending of
dispatches indicating the knowledge of this
governn ent of events happening or about
to happen.