The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-12-12
We ARE THE LEGS
Of WEE PANAMA
Take En- Away and Down
She Goes.
TEDDY Is CRITICISED
Dinsmore and Williams Attack the
Presidents Central American
Policy, and Hit Lives Up to
His Name by Striking
Back.
(By the Associated Press. J

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Dec 1.-THE birth of the
Republic OF Panama and its recognition
by this government was the subject of
spirited debate in the House today. Mr.
Dinsmorc (Dem Ark.) during considera-
ton of the Pension Appropriation bill
severely criticised the administration in
connection with the canal and Mr.. Hit.
(Rep Ills.) chairman of the Foreign At
fairs Committee, replied in a vigorous
defense of the President and his Central
American policy. Mr. Williams, Oem.
Miss.) the minority leader. replied to Mr..
Hit. declaring that the minority did not
condone the part taken by this govern
ment in connection with Panama affairs.
Nearly the whole of the four hours SEES
sion was taken up in a discussion of the
isthmus question. No conclusion was
reached on the pension bill.
Mr.. Dinsmore said the Panama republic
had been established and that it exists
by the power of the United States. and
that without that power it could not ex-
ist Nothing had, he said had been gain
ed that could not have been gained in
straightforward and honorable way.
Mr.. Dinsmore declared the President
had set himself above the law and criti-
cised the hasty recognition of the Republic
of Panama. He said that Secretary Hay
learned statecraft at the feet of Abra.
ham Lincoln, and referred to the attitude
of the government in 1860 toward the
question of recognition, saying that Mr..
Hay had now taken a different view OF
that question.
Mr. Hit (Rep. Ills.) chairman of the
Committee on Foreign Affairs. replying
to Mr.. Dinsmore, said he was astonished
at the remarks of the gentleman from
Arkansas, saying such attacks on the
government would not be made by any
foreigner in discussing it's action.
Mr. Dinsmore disavOwed any purpose to
impute dishonorable or improper motives
TO the officers of the government.
Mr.. Hit said there was nothing hasty
or unique in the recognition of the new
republic, as it occurred five days after
the PRONUNCIATION of the independence Of
the republic.
Mr. Williams (Miss) asked if this was
not the first time in South American his
tory that the other fellow had been pre-
vented from shooting back
Mr.. Hit replied that troops could be
sent to Colon only to interfere with traffic
on the isthmus. and that the United States
is under obligation to prevent Interrupt
ton of this traffic.
Mr. Hit made a vigorous defense of the
administration in connection with the Re
public of Panama, his reference to the
President bringing out loue applause on
the Republican side.
Mr. Hit, answering the charge that the
President had been precipitate, said the
President had waited a reasonable time,
but he added, "he did not waste time,
he never does" This utterance was loud
ly applauded on the Republican side.
Ordinarily" Mr.. Hit went on, ~ Ell
a ship is in port and a disturbance or
insurrection occurs we land troops to pro-
tect Americans from being killed or rob
bed. We have done that in France and
we would do it anywhere.
'In the case of Panama our situation
was different from that of any spot on
earth We had a solemn and binding en-
gagement which had been impressed upon
us by all the years. often we were called
upon by the Colombian government,
oftener by events, to enforce the obliga
ton to keep that path open from sea to
but to keep the path open; and when we
landed troops at Colon, when the ships
came to Panama with more of the
marines 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. (Applause on Repu0-
lican side.l
Now it so happened in the course OF
human events, which we 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 pathway open,
fell in with and brought out a conse-
quence which was grave tor Colombia
She has invoked that interference before,
but it so happened that always hereto
fore it Injured to her benefit. In this
case that which we have done we did
for motive of the highest obligation of
national faith"
Mr.. Hit said the people Of Colombia
thought the United States were so bent
on having a canal on the isthmus that
the game was easy They had ten mil
lions, but twenty would be better and
Colombian papers had urged those charged
with power to hold out for great sums of
Yankee money.
The whole world, he said, had been in
favor of canal and added Mr. Hit,
1--WE have got man to work on it who
will soon cut it through This was
loudly cheered by the Republicans.
Mr. Williams interruDtlng said he