The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-12
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
BOTH CRITICISED AND
DEFENDED IN CONGRESS
Spirited Debate in the House on
the Recognition of the Pan
anna Republic.
SPEECH BY r. R. HIT
Who Denied the President Had
Acted Precipitately in 18TH
mian Affairs.
DEBATE IN THE SENATE
Cuban Reciprocity Bill Discussed
Investigation of Panama Ques-
ton Demanded.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-THE birth or the
Republic of Panama and it's recognition by
this government was the subject of spir
tied debate in the House to-day. Mr.. Dins-
more, an Arkansas Democrat, during con-
sideration of the pensions appropriation bill,
severely criticised the administration in coll
nection with the canal, and Mr.. Hit, an
Illinois Republican, chairman of the foreign
affairs committee. replied In a vigorous de-
fense of the President and his Central
American policy. Mr.. Williams, of Missis-
sippi, the minority leader. replied to Mr..
Hit, declaring that the minority did not
condone the part taken by this government
in the Panama affairs. Nearly the whole of
the four hours session was taken up in a
discussion of the isthmian question. No
conclusion was reached on the pension bill.
Mr.. Van Voorhis, of Ohio, of the appropria
tions committee, made a statement con-
corning the provisions of the bill, when the
debate digressed to Panama.
In the course of his speech Mr.. Dinsmore,
referring to the provisions of the Panama
canal bill, said: Here is the law. Did the
President obey it? Everybody knows that
he made no pretense of obeying the law.
Has any excuse been offered why he did not
obey it? He has not even vouchsafed to
Congress, whose law he violated, the slight
est excuse. Is he above the law? Indeed
Mr.. Chairman. if this is true, we have come
upon evil times, when the executive power
of the government can usurp authority and
cast aside the express wish of Congress de-
clared in law
MIR. HITS REPLY.
Mr. IN 10
there was nothing hasty or unique in the
recognition of the new republic, as 1t oc-
CURED five days after the PRONUNCIATION of
the independence of the republic.
Mr.. Williams asked if this was not the
first time in South American history that
the other fellow had been prevented from
shooting back"
Mr.. Hit replied that he had seen it stated
in the press but did not know it to be so,
but said that troops could be sent to CO.
lon only to interfere with traffic ON the
isthmus, and that the United States is
under obligation to prevent interruption Of
this traffic.
The President said Mr.. Hit, had not been
precipitate, but had waited reasonable
time. But" he added, "he did not waste
time; he never does" This utterance was
loudly applauded on the Republican side.
Ordinarily Mr.. Hit went on, when
a ship is in port and disturbance or in
surrection occurs, we land troops to pro-
tect Americans from being killed or
robbed. We have done that in France and
we would do ii anywhere. In case of Pana-
ma our situation was different from that
of any spot earth. We had solemn
and binding engagement which had been
impressed upon by all the years. Often
we were called upon by the Colombian gov
ernment, oftener by events, to enforce the
obligation to keep that path open from
sea to sea; not to aid nor to suppress re-
belion but to keep the path open; and
when we landed troops at Colon their duty
under the treaty was plain to let no armed
men or cause of any kind disturb the open,
| free course of commerce or of movement
| in the pathway across the isthmus. lap
| plause on the Republican side.l
Now, ii so happened in the course OF
human events which do not guide. but
which it is believed by many an all-wise
| Providence watches and directs, that in
! this case our duty in good faith under
| the treaty to keep that highway open, fell
| in with and brought out a consequence
which was grave TO Colombia. She has in
voked that interference before but it sc
| happened that always heretofore, ii in
| ured to her benefit. In this case that which
| CONTINUED ON PAGE 2. COL. p