Arizona republican., 1904-01-05
PreCipitated by Message
on Canal Treaty
SENATOR'S OF THE SOUTH
Attack the Administration for Main
tanning Mushroom Republic to
Which Reply Is Made That 1t Had
for a Long Time Been Restrained.

Washington, Jan. 4.-The senate's
first session following the holiday re-
cess was devoted entirely to Panama.
President Roosevelt's message On the
subject was received with great inter
est The discussion continued through
out the day, speeches being made both
for and against the policy which had
been pursued.
Mr. McComas defended the president
and asserted that his action would
stand If tried in court.
Nj. Stewart of Nevada Severely crit
icized the Bogota government for its
selfish action in preventing the con-
struction of the canal. Mr.. Morgan Of
Alabama stated his preference for the
Nicaragua route and maintained that
the present course of the Gdministra-
tion was breaking down the established
policy of the United States regarding
neutrality.
Rev. Edward Hale. the newly elect
ed chaplain of the senate, clad in
flowing black silk clerical robes, occu-
pied the chair of the presiding officer
just preceding the session. and on the
body being called to order offered a
stirring invocation.
Mr.. McComas of Maryland began the
characterizing the presidents message
as "clear. cogent and abundantly
convincing presentation of the situa-
ton" he said the executive not only
had the right, but the exclusive right
to take the action he had. He referred
to two similar instances, and said that
while both resulted in wars, they were
wars which public sentiment endorsed
Mr.. Bacon inquired how long the
new republic would last should the
sustaining power of the United State:
be Withdrawn.
For many years." replied Mr.. Nc.
Comas. He added that but for the res.
training power of the United States
the independence of Panama would
have been established long ago.
"Will the senator state the respectiv.
populations of Colombia and Panama p
asked Mr.. Bacon. Panama has abou
100000 and Colombia 4 800 OOO." was tn,
reply. "And vet the senator think.
100000 could maintain themseIve.
against four and a half million" again
interjected Mr.. Bacon.
Such things were frequent events II
history, was the reply, and Mr. Nc
Comas mentioned the contest CT Japal
with S5,00O.G00 population against Chin;
with 4OO,OOOOOO, also Montenegro's sue
cessful contest of two centuries.
Mr. McComas, addressing the demo
cratic side. declared that some ex
cellent men have made political blum
ders and have mistaken their partisan
ship for moral sense. He would not say
he added. the opposition was not pat
riotic. but It was perverse and persist
ent.
Mr. ~
dorsement of the course of the admin
istration on the Panama question. nj
though he said he had formerly bee
in favor of the Nicaragua route MI
Stewart declared that the object n
Colombia was to delay matters unit
the expiration of the French cana
treaty
Mr.. Morgan said that the message O
the president today contained no ney
accommodations.
at seems to be an argument agains
the resolutions and remarks of the sen
Tor senator from Massachusetts CIl
HoaO and of the remarks of senator
on this side of the chamber" H
tMorgan) might yield in his judgmen
that no ship could ever pass throug
the isthmus of Panama, but he coul
not assist in the breaking down of on
FIXED policy of neutrality between bel
IEerants or enlarging the diplomat
powers of the president by constructio
until they had reached the stage c
usurpation on the part of the executive
lie argued that according to precedent
the de facto government of Panam
has no right to transfer territory. bu
he declared that the president kneN
shat only by his recognition of Panam
could he acquire a concession there
Indeed, he asserted that in the prospec
of securing this acquisition was foun
the only motive for the president
RECOGNITION. He said that inst cad of til
uprising being as of one man. as wa