The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-08
Consumes Day in Senate on
Panama Question
GOES IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
Alabama Senator Says the Message Of
the President Is the Only Answer
the Body VIII Get to
Hoar's Inquiries.

Washington, january 7.--Mr. Morgan
occupied the time of the senate today in
a reply to the speech of Mr.. Lodge. deliv-
cred last Tuesday. Mr. Morgan. again
criticized the President and the attitude
of this government in connection with
the Panama republic. He introduced nu-
merous newspaper extracts to bear out
his contention that the revolution was
assisted by officers and citizens of the
United States.
Mr. Morgan said that II the United
States should withdraw from the 18TH
mus Colombia would quickly drive out
the few revolutionists and their sup
porters.
Mr.. Morgan took the floor to answer the
speech of Mr.. Lodge, made on Tuesday.
on Mr.. Morgan's resolution declaring that
neither the President, nor the President
and the senate, as the treaty-makiny
power of the United States has the law
full power to wage or declare war against
any foreign power, without the consent
of congress. when such power is at peace
with the United States"
Proposed to Have Ayes and Nays.
Mr.. Morgan In opening said he proposed
to have the ayes and nays on various
propositions advanced in his resolution;
that the debate on the resolution had not
controverted any of these propositions,
nor had the debate been directed to any
question touching upon the merits of the
resolution.
Mr.. Morgan described de facto, de jure
and independent governments.
He maintained that Colombia still has
some rights in the laws Of nations.
''she is 100000 strong" he said. She
has an area larger than that of the state
Of Indiana. She Is recognized by all gov
ernments, including the United States.
as free sovereign power. She is the
mother government OF Panama and ac-
minister, we are neither the father nor
the mother of this new republic We can
not be unless by some act we have created
the government.
Panama has no code of government ex-
cept that of Colombia: no laws for self
government now, and certainly did not
have on November IS, 1903, when we rec
ognized the new republic. Colombia has
the right under the laws of nations to con-
slider that recognition as premature rather
than an act of war. Whether Colombia
does declare Ii to be an act of war is an
other matter. The third power Is not likely
to be led into premature recognition un-
less affected by some private benefits un-
til the mother country has acknowledged
the secession of Its sovereignty just as
Great Britain proclaimed our indepen-
dence before the close of our war with
that country"
Mr.. Spooner Asks Question.
Mr.. Spooner asked If he had understood
rightly that we could not lawfully recog-
nize Panama as de facto government
until Colombia had relinquished SOW
eregnty.
Mr.. Morgan stated that Colombia had
the right to consider recognition under
other circumstances as premature and as
an act of war.
"And am compelled to say" said Mr..
Morgan, that tomorrow If the United
States government should withdraw It's
fleet and marines from the isthmus or
confine their operations to the protection
of their railroad and to the passage across
the isthmus. Colombia would march in
and capture these eight men who or
ganized the Panama government and
drive them and their following of for
eigners, negroes. Indians and Cinnamon
from the isthmus. Under such conditions
the position of the United States would
have been honorable dignihed and wholly
treaty of 1876. Our position would have
been In accordance with the teachings
of Washington. Adams and other author
tiles that have been quoted here"
Mr.. Morgan had read an article from a
New York newspaper purporting to give
the detailed history of the insurrection in
Panama and the creation of an indepen-
dent government He said he had caused
the article to be read because it con-
tained the charge that two officers of
the United States had participated in the
secession, and because the president had
said no officers of the United States had
taken part In the uprising Mr. Morgan
said he believed it to be a true state
ment Of the facts. but IL not. why were
they not refuted.
Put Letters Into Record.
Mr.. Morgan also put into the record a
large number of letters written by cor
respondents Of many large newspapers.
which, he said, gave the facts concern
ing the overturning Of the Colombian gov
ernment on the isthmus. and which are
not disputed except by the President in
his two messages to congress Many of
these articles made references to Col
onel Black. who Is alleged to have raised
the first Panama flag on the isthmus. and
to Consul Ehrmann, who Is alleged to
have made arrangements for the raising
Of money TO buy the peaceful withdrawal
Of Colonel Torres and his Colombian
troops The part played by the United
States. said Mr.. Morgan, was not peace
full Intervention. it was Intervention by
duress. by coercion, by threats, and by
acts Of actual hostility
Mr.. Culberson asked II the charge that
Mr.. Ehrmarn had supplied the money to
aid in bringing about the withdrawal of
the troops, was supported by the papers
inserted in Morgans speeN Mr.. Morgan
said this was in the papers. and that he
did not pretend TO say whether or not ft
was true.
Mr.. cullom wanted to know whether the
| charge was merely newspaper publlea-
ton or official, and Mr.. Morgan replied
tartly There are no official reports on
| the subject
A feeling OF bitter hatred and revenge
toward Colombia, he declared, character
zed every step that President Roosevs
in interfering In behalf of Panar
Spooner wanted TO know II NJ
questioned the action of the
es of the United StatesF
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