The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-29
OUGHT THE PANAMA TREATY TO BE
RATIFIED?

hAIfFiEU!
The most important public question now
before the American people is the ratif-
cation of the treaty with Panama Pre-
liminary to the vote upon the treaty itself
comes the vote in the Senate upon the
Hear resolution, calling upon the prcsi-
dent for information upon the various
steps by which the secession of Panama
was declared and her government estab-
lshed; what influences were previously
brought to bear; what methods were
pursued; what acts of bad faith. if any,
were committed; what promises were
made, and, in word what was done
By the United States government, if any
thing, to bring about the secession of
Panama from Colombia Although the
Republican Senators are opposed to the
adoption of the Hoar resolution, it IS
probable they will ultimately pass a mild
resolution calling upon the president ,or
such information as will throw light UPON
the so-called' Panama secession. There
upon the President will forward lot CT
correspondence, accompanied By a speci-
GUS argument and the administration
organs will proclaim that cit is now
shown that the administration is justified
in its course"
The fact will remain that the admin
istration inspired the secession of Panama
and is solely responsible for the so-caled
revolution. The circumstantial evidence
is conclusive that but for the certainty
and its soldiers, protect Panama in its
secession from Colombia, there would
have been no attempt at separation. 1t
cannot be shown in official papers, for
officials do not write their own condem-
nation, that the Panama secession was
inspired in the White House, or the guar
tiers of any Cabinet officer, but there is
not an intelligent man in America who
does not know that the administration
is responsible for the secession just as
everybody knows that Colombia would
country had not put it's army and navy
behind Panama. There was no uprising
in Panama, 10 revolution, no secession
no anything but an acting by puppets
guided by the Roosevelt administration.
''The people rose as one man and threw off
the yoke of Colombia wrote an admin.
istration organ. The Washington Post
replied that it had understood that the
revolution was precipitated by eight mes
five natives, one Indian, one French
man and one American. 1t might have
eight would have even dreamed of
ceding if he had not been directed to do
s. by powers that confidently trusted il
American support.
Nobody doubts that the administration
is morally responsible for the secession.
Nobody doubts that the whole thing was
inspired by men close to the administra-
ticn Everybody knows that nothing but
the threat of America has prevented the
subjugation of Panama. Can any Ameri
can, who glories in the national honor.
lcok uron the transaction with anything
but indignation that the flag of this coun-
try has been dragged into the dusto
There is not a page of our national his
tory so stained by executive usurpation
and international dishonor. If NJ. Roose-
velt's usurpation on the isthmus is to be
defended or condoncd, how can he be
checked when he decides to incite seces-
sion in some other portion OF the world
and thus make Force and Greed the twin
symbols Of this government?
This paper some days ago suggested
that it was the duty of Senators, not to
tta guided by sectional or partisan CON
siderations, but to look at this question
solely in the light of what is the right
thing to do. A private letter received
Yesterday from one of the ablcst of living
North Carolinians, contained the follow
ing:
Il cannot refrain from thanking you
for the editorial in the News and Obser
yer, day or two ago, on the pending