Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-03-12
THEPANAMA TREATY
Senator Morgan Discussed the Canal
Question In Closed Session.
CONCESSION MADE TO THE SENATOR.
The Senate Agreed 10 Attach the spOonsR
Canal Act Bodily 70 the Troaty-Elght
Pamphlets Prepared By senator Nor
gan ON the CANAL QueatIon.

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Washington, March 11.--Senator
Morgan yesterday secured the first
material concession that has been
made TO him by the senate In connec-
tien with the Panama canal treaty
with Colombia. This consisted Of an
agreement to attach the Spooner ca
nal act bodily to the treaty. This
change was made in compliance with
request presented by Senator
Lodge during the days executive ses-
sion of the senate yesterday, for the
necessity for 1t had been discussed
by Senator Morgan and other mem
bers of the senate committee. Sen
ator Daniel expressed the opinion
that as the preamble to the treaty
calls for the attachment Of copy
Of the act, that attachment was nee.
essary to preserve the terms Of the
document intact. Senator Morgan
contended that without this attach
ment the treaty was absolutely in
valid. Senators Teller and Hoar took
the opposite view, urging that as the
act was in existence and of record
in the statutes of the United States,
the physical annexation was of no
consequence whatever. Senator
Lodge, however, suggested that no
injury could result from the attach
ment of the act and unanimous con-
sent was given to do so. II was
specifically stipulated, however, that
this concession did not amount to
an amendment Of the treaty.
Senator Morgan consumed the en-
tire time Of the remainder Of the
closed session discussing the canal
question from various points Of view
and going over much ground that he
had already covered. Most Of his
speech was written and when SEN
ltor Cullom asked him II the speech
he was reading was new one or an
Did one he replied with some mann
of vexation that IL was new,
idding that he did not have to repeat
lis addresses. He discussed particu-
arly the attitude of the isthmian ca
lal commission, of which Admiral
Walker Is the head, and criticised to
ome extent the change of view taken
" that commission in it's last re-
,ort. He also dwelt on the variation
# the terms Of the treaty from
hose Of the Spooner law.
During the progress OF his ad-
ress Senator Morgan expressed
esire TO have copies of the corre-
pondence between the United States
overnment and the new Panama
anal company, bearing on the &C.
eptance of the option given by that
ompany TO the United States to pur-
hase the canal for s40,0OO,O00, and
he senate consented TO request the
Of state for the corre-
Dondence. The papers had not ar
we'd at $3.50 O'Clock and as Senator q
organ stated that he would be un- !
bic TO proceed without them Sen
tor Cullom moved that the senate :
ijourn and this motion prevailed. y
During the day there was more or c
IS informal, discussion Of the
opposition TO permit Senator Nor
IN to publish his remarks in the
Record, but there was .
, effort to reach q conclusion on /.
Is point. Senator Cullom, chair :
m Of the committee on foreign J,
lstions, has taken the position that !,
il permission 10 print shall not be =
anted unless Senator Morgan win 7
rec TO allow q day 70 be fixed for y y
vote on the treaty. On the other :
rld Senator Morgan aaya he e en-
ely independent Of the senate in
3 respect because Ne says be can
rnrs - auy ertent ne nleassl IN y