The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-03-15
Democratic Vote Solid for
Certain Amendments, But
Not a Unit Against the
Treaty.
Senator Spooner Makes
Strong Answer to Nor
gan's Objections Ad-
journment Thursday.

After nearly six hours spent in execu- /
tive session yesterday the desks were |
cleared for the ratification OF the /
Panama Canal treaty tomorrow. The !
voting will be begun on the Democratic /
amendments to be offered by Senator |
Morgan and others under the rule al /
lowing each Senator 10 speak but fifteen /
minutes, and on Tuesday there will be /
two hours OF general debate preceding /
the final vote on ratification.
The amendments will all the voted /
down and the treaty ratified by a non
partisan vote The Democratic Senators /
will hold caucus tomorrow prior to I
the meeting or the Senate and will /
probably decide TO vote for the !
proposed amendments as a party. II an
attempt is made TO commit them 10 vote |
against the treaty after being amended |
it viii fail, II is positively shown !
that sufficient number of Democratic !
Senators are already pledged to vote |
for the treaty to make its ratification !
certain.
The Cuban reciprocity treaty will be
taken up Wednesday and ratified. after
a brief debate Final adjournment of the |
week probably Thursday night
Questions From the Opposition.
Mr. Spooner spoke for five hours in
executive session yesterday, and was
followed by Mr.. Depew. who spoke for
three-quarters OF an hour. Mr.. Spooner
was interrupted occasionally. his chief |
interlocutor being Mr.. Morgan, who |
asked at least hfty questions on various
points. chiefly in relation to the new
Panama Canal company's titles Others /
who asked questions OF Mr.. Spooner /
were Messrs. Teller, Patterson. and Ba-
con.
Mr. Bacon offered an amendment TO I
section % providing substantially for
the sovereignty Of the United States over
the canal strip. His amendment was
similar in Durport 10 that already Of
fered by Mr.. Morgan. which evaded the
prohibition OF the constitution OF Co
lombia against the alienation OF terri
tory by using this phrase:
The rights and privileges granted TO
the terms OF this convention shall not
affect the paramount sovereignty Of the
republic OF Colombia over the territory 4
within whose boundaries such rights and /
privileges are to be exercised so as to /
displace the same. but said zone shall 1
not be subject to the laws of war or /
belligerency. by the act or decree CT /
Colombia or the United States"
The Democratic Vote.
The question asked by the Democrats !
of Mr.. Spooner. and the amendment Of /
fered by Mr.. Bacon. indicated plainly 10 /
the Republican Senator'S that the Demo /
,rr
tain amendments. and certainly for that 1
one broadening the scope OF the control /
over the canal zone. But the Democrats /
did not give any indication that they I
would oppose the treaty il the amend !
ments were defeated.
Mr. spooner's speech directed his re- |
marks 10 the same subjects upon which |
Mr. Morgan has been speaking for many /
days So far as speech OF FIVE hours /
could cover the points raised by Mr |
Morgan in a speech many times as long. |
Mr.. SDooner covered them. He com.
batted Mr.. Morgans contention that the |
New Panama Canal Company is part |
nership arrangement in which the United |
States. by succeeding TO its rights. will !
become liable for the bonds now out
standing in France. Mr.. Spooner went
E
the question OF title, and declared thar
the title Il his opinion as a lawyer was |
perfectly valid, and that the new Pana- !
ma Canal Company was competent 20 |
convey it.
The conditions at Panama and Colon
in a political way were discussed by |
Mr.. SpOoner. He also declared that
here was no basis for the bugaboo that /
he United States is negotiating with !
he Church OF Rome instead Of with /
Tree and Independent people in Colon /
-. He was not alarmed by the cry /
that the people in the canal zone would /
be under the curse OF the Concordat and /
ihe "abominablc law passed by Colombia \
% carry IL into effect"
Not Perfect But Desirable.
SIR. SDooner did not 20 so far as 70 |
declare the treaty perfect Indeed. he |
pointed out flaws here and there, which.
ae said. should be remedied. n time
'nd occasion served. But under the
circumstances he believed u was the
part OF wisdom 10 make no amendments
whatever 70 the treaty II should 20 TO
the government OF Colombia as signed
by the representative Of that govern
ment, and prompt ratification would be
reasonably expected 70 fo1ow.
So far as the so-called partnership OF
the judiciary in the canal zone was
concerned Mr.. spooner declared that
this might be far preferable IN actual
workings 10 absolute sovereignty on the
part OF she United States Colombia.
(continucd on Second Pagel