The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-15
PRESIDENT DENOUNCED
AGAIN FOR HIS ALLEGED
UNWARRANT ACTION
His Isthmian Policy Condemned
by Senator NewlandS as
Unconstitutional.
REPLY BY c. M. DEPEW
Who Defended Roosevelt's Recog-
milton of Panama as Timely
and Patriotic.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE Senate to-
day listened to speeches by Mr.. Newlands
and Mr.. Depew on the Panama canal ques-
ton and to a speech by Mr.. Latimer in ad-
vocacy of the adoption of a plan for the
improvement of the public wagon roads of
the country. Mr.. Newlands declared that
the course of the President in Panama was
an act of war and in contravention alike of
the treaty of 1916, of International law and
of the Constitution of the United States.
Mr.. Newlands said it was doubtful whether
the status which existed before the war
could be restored. A new government had
been created by the violent acts of the
United States government. 1t would be
difficult to undo what had been done; to
compel again the surrender of the isthmus
and her people to the sovereignty of CO.
lombia, involving possibly the punishment
OF her people for offenseS of which the
United States government was itself guilty,
but the honor of the United States de-
mands prompt diSavOwal by the Congress
of the United States, whose constitutional
~prerOgative had been invaded, of the law
less and unconstitutional acts of the chief
executive" Mr.. Newlands added: Had
these Outrages been committed by the eX-
ecutive upon a great power like England,
or Russia, or Congress would
promptly disavow them; and shall the i'm
potence of Colombia disqualify her from re-
ceiving satisfaction for injury inflicted on
her by the unauthorized and unconstitu-
tional action of this country's chief execu-
tive?"
Mr.. Spooner congratulated Mr.. Newlands
on what the former denOminated an espou-
sal of the doctrine of international eminent
domain in the last declaration of his speech
in the interest of collective civilization. 1t
was, he said, a recognition of the right TO
cut a way through the isthmus for the pur-
pose of wedding the two oceans, dependent
only on the payment of damages.
Mr.. Newlands said he was not prepared
TO accept this definition of his own position
and had accepted the Presidents position
only for the sake of the argument.
Mr.. Spooner retorted that whereas the
Nevada senator had originally emerged
from the chaparral into the open, he now
had gone back TO the chaparral.
Mr.. Depew spoke in supper of the ad-
ministration in it's conduct on the isthmus
of Panama and said that the opponents Of
the treaty are aiding the enemies of the
canal. If" he continued, there ever had
been a concert of action among any great
railway corporations to defeat this most
beneficient work of m and civiliza-
ton, / am not aware of 1t, but II such a
combination does exist, then its allies and
its most efficient assistants are to be found
among those who under any device or ex-
cuse are endeavOring TO defeat the treaty
with the republic of Panama.
I'VE are" he said, "a commercial nation.
Our people are trained to all the re1nements
Of business obligation and all the reciprocal
relations of contracts. Much as we want
the canal. we never could have taken 1t by
becoming a partner in this highway robbery
of the property Of the citizens of France
Mr.. Depew controverted the argument
that the position of the United States in
recognizing the Republic of Panama was a
reversal of our national position on the sub
ject of secession.
After reviewing our diplomatic history in
the recognition of new countries, Mr.. Depew
said: lin the providence of creation and de-
cay of nations no state ever became indie
pendent so completely. so righteously or so
timely as Panama. The hour struck for her
when the world was watching the clock. No
President ever did q more timely or patriotic
act than did President Roosevelt in his rec
ognition and defense of the Republic of
Panama.
Mr.. Depew ridiculed as lurid the conten-
ton of Mr.. Newlands that the President had
made war on Colombia. He declared that in
his dependence on the Democracy of the
United States President Marroquin forgot
that that party was not in power in any
branch of government in this country, and
two Of the Southern States had already in
! structed their senators to vote for the canal
and the others were liable to follow their
example.
Mr.. Depew concluded at 4:10, and after an
executive session the Senate at 4:2S adj
journed.