The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-13
A Resolution to Arbitrate
CoIombia's Claims.
TABLET, SAYS LODGE
An Agreement is Practically Reached
Between Bacon and Hale, That
Hale viii Offer Similar
Declaration in the SEN
ate To-day.
ate To-day.
(By the Associated Press.)


hours today the Senate debated the Pan
anna question and it was still under con-
sideration when the Senate adjourned
The discussion arose over a resolution
looking to the arbitration of Colombia s
claim on account of the Panama revolu-
tion. 1t was introduced early in the day
by Mr. Bacon, and was met promptly by
a motion on the part of Mr.. Lodge to
table it. This motion aroused the feeling
of Senators on the Democratic side, who
construed it as intended to cut off debate,
and sal dthey would debate the Panama
question on some other resolution if not
on this. Finally Mr.. Lodge consented to
withhold his motion until tomorrow.
Republican Senators in their speeches
referred to the resolution as a confession
Of worng on the part of the United States
and expressed the opinion that any agi-
tation of that question at this time would
give undue encouragement to the people
of Colombia and miSrepresent the attitude
of this country Mr.. Bacon disavowed
any such intention, and said that he ac-
cepted the revolution as an accomplished
fact. A ready response to this pronounce
ment came from Mr. Hale, and during the
course on the debate he and Mr. Bacon
practically agreed on a declaration which
Mr.. Hale intimated that he would Offer
tomorrow in the Senate.
Mr.. Bacon, in support of his resolution.
said he regarded the Panama situation
as critical and had read a dispatch from
former Consul Smythe, stating that the
Colombians are greatly aroused anl feel
thta the honor of their country demands
that they should go to war. Mr.. Bacon
expressed the opinion that this country
could reach peaceful solution by show
ing some consideration for the people of
Colombia. He did not he said,, desire to
invade the province of the President of
the United States, but he considered the
Senate an advisory body. He said he
wanted it understood that he did not speak
as partisan He moved the reference
OF the resolution t othe committee on For.
eign Relations and Mr.. Lodge moved tn
lay the motion on the table. In doing so
the Massachusetts Senator took the posi-.
ton that agitation of the question would
be most injurious at the present time
because he said, the President is now
through the Secretary of State, negotiat-
ing with General Reyes concerning all the
points at issue.
Mr.. Lodges motion to lay on the table
brought number of Democratic Senator's
to the floor, including Mr.. Bacon. Mr.
teller and Mr.. Daniel. Mr.. Daniel de-
ciared the motion to be unreasonable
and Mr.. Teller said it was nuasal and
extreme, both saying that the motion
to lay on the table would cut Off de-
bate
Mr.. Lodge then said he would temper.
arily withhold his motion in order to
allow the Senators to speak.
Mr.. Foraker proceeded to discuss the
resolution and was asked by Mr.. Daniel
II he did not consider that the President
mad committed an act of war in prevent
ing the troops OF Colombia, a friendly
power, from landing on the isthmus, to
attack the troops of rebellious State.
MI. Foraker replied that the President
had not given any such order. He said
marines had frequently been landed for
the purpose of preventing war.
War between whom?" asked Mr.. Dan.
lei, to which Mr.. Foraker responded:
War on the part of anybody who wants
to fight
Mr.. Daniels said that he considered the
issue to be whatever the United States
had right TO interfere in a civil strife
between the forces of Colombia and those
of enc of its own States.
Mr.. Foraer contended for the right of
the United States to prevent any CONFLICT
which would interfere with the free ana
uninterrupted transit across the isthmus." !"
Were the orders given to prevent war
between the republic of Colombia and the
insurgents?" Mr. Carmack asked.
mot at ALL responded Mr. Foraker
THE order was to keep the transit free
Colombia could have landed her troops
elsewhere in Panama if she had been so
disposed
Mr. Daniel ased if Colombia was not
obligated to protect the transit but Co
lcmbia was not protecting the transit, :"
said Mr.. Foraker. ''Shc was coming to the
isthmus to make war"
Mr.. Foraker challenged the Democrats
to point out in what particular the al
min stration hes created wrong un icr
the treaty of 1876.
THAT We can do, said Mr. Morgan.
"if you will give us little time. But
want to ask the Senator if he does no.
believe some Democratic members of the
Senate will vote for the Hay Bunau-ya-
rilla treaty?"
81 hope some Senators on the Demo-
cratic side will so vote. | certainly think