The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-18
IS THE D|SHONOR
OURS2 ASKS HOAR
Did We Not Manipulate
This Revolution?
IF GUILTLESS SPEAK.
German Demands More Light on the
Panama Incident, Declaring That
Unless il is Forthcoming He
Will Vote Against the
Treaty.
(By the Associated Press.)

(By the Associated PreSS.)
Washington, De. 1.-THE Senate today
was The scene of most important debate
on the isthmian canal question as affect
ed by the Presidents recognition of tina
independence Of the Republic of Panama
The discussion began with a speech by
Mr.. Hear on his resolution of inquiry and
lasted several hours. In addition to M
Hoar's address there were speeches by
MI German and Mr.. Foraker. All three
were notable utterances, and OF historical
interest.
Mr.. Hoar confined his remarks to his
resolution, and they were carefully writ
ten out and read from manuscript He
held that this country has not yet re-
ceived full official information concerning
the isthmian revolution and criticised in
sharp terms the conduct of this country
as shown by what has been given out.
There was no reservation in Mr.. Cor
mans utterances. He practically alleged
that the situation in Panama had been
created to make a campaign issue. and
said that unless further light was thrown
on the subject he would oppose the Pan
ANA treaty.
Mr.. Foraker took Mr. Hoar to task Sc
verely for his remarks rejecting on the
administration. He defended the admin
istration for his attitude toward the PAN
anna revolt. A heated colloquy took place
between Mr.. Foraker and Mr.. Hoar dur
ing an effort of the Massachusetts Sena-
tor to explain more fully his position in
the matter.
Mr.. Hoar said he was in favor of the
isthmian canal, but was anxious that the
canal should be built without taint or
suspicious of national dishonor"
What we want to know is" ne said,
did the government, knowing that rev.
olution was about to take place, so ar
range matters that the revolution, wheth-
er peaceable or otherwise, should be per
mitted to go on without interruption, and
whether our national authorities took
measures to prevent Colombia from stop
ping it?'
MIR. Hoar quoted the correspondence
bearing upon the revolutions: ''Why this
great anxiety before any disturbance had
occurred?" 1t was, he said, clear that ii
the correspondence so far printed, includ-
ed all the information possible to give on
the subject, from twenty-four to forty
eight hours before the revolution broke
out this government had instructed a man
Of war to prevent Colombia from doing
anything to prevent it.
II want to know, and the American peo-
pie want to know, and have a right to
know. whether this mighty policeman on
the isthmus, seeing a man about to at
tack another is justified before the blow
is struck, in manacling the assailed party,
and whether, after the assault has been
made, the policeman is justified in claim
ing the pocket-book which has been taken
from the victim by the assailant should
be turned over to him (the policeman
on the ground that he was the rightful
oWner?"
Mr.. German took the floor as soon as
Mr.. Hoar had concluded and there was
from the start evident interest in what
he might say. He began with a refer
eHce to Mr. HOars speech and compli-
mented that Senator highly On his atti
tCde and alluded to the Democratic at.
titude on the canal question. On the
latter point ne said that Democratic Sen
ators generally are as favorable to the
construction of the canal as are Repub-
HCalns. Mr.. German said the facts were
all that were desired, and he proceeded
to refer to the extension of the executive
influence. saying that this influence had
been extended from time to time until
'the Senate had become practically the
agent CT the executive
The affair in Panama, he declared, was
''the most fragrant act of transgression
that has ever taken place in the history
of the country, and it should be re-
sisted without regard to party
Mr.. German criticised Mr.. Loomis for
his discussion of the Panama situation
at a New York banquet before injunction
of secrecy had been removed by the
Senate.
Mr.. German said Mr.. Loomis had dis
cussed the Panama situation at baa-
quet at which perhaps. many were ex-
cited by wine, and had given information
which the Senate had not had from the
administration or from any source He
did not" Mr.. German continued, tell
the country all the facts, but he made the
broad assertion that the President was Z:
bold and great man. who had had the
courage and the patriotism to land m;..
rines and seize part OF the territory
of the republic of Colombia, which we
were under contract to guarantee to tha.
country. This is" he added, .'in tBs
light of the facts before us nothing less
than usurpation.'
Mr.. German then discussed the Presi-