New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-28
NO CHANGES In TREATY.
AMENDMENTS DROPPED.
Senator Simmons the First Demo
Crat to AdUocate Ratification.
IRON THE TRIBUNE BUREAU


Washington, jan 27.-The beginning Of the
end OF the tedious discussion of the Panama
treaty in the Senate reached to-day, and
Republican Senators greatly encouraged. At
the meeting Of the Committee on Foreign Rela-
lions this morning IT determined to with
draw the committee amendments. In open ses-
sion Senator Simmons supported the treaty
this being the first gun fired on the Democratic
side Of the chamber in favor OF the agreement.
The open session was followed by executive
session OF an hour. in which the treaty was
taken UP for the first time behind closed doors.
save for the perfunctory reading of the con-
vention which occurred some days ago. Here
after executive sessions for the consideration of
the convention will be held daily.
Perhaps the most notable feature Of the COM
mittee meeting this morning the evident
determination OF Senator Morgan to resort to all
the tactics made possible by the Senate rules
to delay ratification. 1t is we'll understood that
Mr.. Morgan is not acting from partisan bias but
is unable to realize that isthmian canal along
the Nicaragua route. to which he has devoted
so many years of his service in the Senate. has
been abandoned by all but himself and is irrev-
ocably defeated. While the persistence OF the
Senator from Alabama is a source of annoyance
his long devotion to an isthmian canal Is held
to entitle him to the utmost consideration from
his colleagues and his most trying vagaries
will be met with the utmost patience.
SENATOR sIMMoNs's SPEECH
Senator simmons's speech, while tinctured
with the partisan ideas OF his side, contained
several fiat assertions which were in direct
refutation of the claims Of the Gorman-B Bailey
wing Of his party. Among the most striking
his unqualified statements that thus far
nothing in connection with the Panama treaty
had developed which would warrant a vote
against it's ratification; that to refuse to ratify
the treaty would be lnfiicting a grievous wrong
on Panama: that there was no occasion for
criticising the President for having failed TO
comply with the provisions OF the SpOOner
amendment. because the President had complied
entirely with the provisions Of that act. and
that there was no party obligation which would
prevent any Democrat from voting tor ratifca-
ton.
MIR. Simmons paid sufficient respect TO the
position Of the leaders of his party in the SEN
ate TO say that he wished, before voting for
the treaty, to see all the requests for infOrma-
ton complied with, but added that personally
he was willing TO take the word of the Presi-
dent that he had done no wrong
Il join my colleagues on this side Of the cham
Der, said Mr.. Simmons. lin condemning what
ever wrong the President and the administra-
ton may have done III connection with bring
ing about the independence Of Panama. but in
my vote on the treaty l propose 10 recognize
and act on the fact that Panama is indie
pendent State, possessed Of equal rights and
powers to make this treaty as We ourselves
possess. not only with our consent, but the
practically unanimous consent Of all the civil
lied nations OF the world. To my mind. you
might as well say that l cannot administer on
the estate OF a dead man without approving
his death TO say that I cannot act upon
the admitted fact that Panama Is an indie
pendent nation without approving the means
by which that independence was achieved" Mr..
Simmons said he believed that the President
and the Secretary of State should be relieved
OF all charges OF completely In the Panama re-
volt He added that he did not believe the
possession Of information concerning an ap-
preaching revolution should be accepted as DIS
crediting the statement OF the President
IL is said tonight that several other Demo-
Gratis who favor ratification will take the floor
in the near future 10 explain the reasons tof
the faith that is in them, and Senator Clarke
OF Arkansas announces that he proposes TO
make "A speech in support Of the convention
which will be as unequivocai In its assertions
as any that has been delivered by Republican
Senator.
In the executive session to-day Senator Cul-
lon submitted the report of the Foreign Rela-
lions Committee dsagreeing to the amendments
offered. which action withdrew the committees
report OF them. He expressed a desire TO have
the treaty brought 70 a vote. and said he could
II was already apparent that the treaty as rati-
fed by the Panama government protected
every interest of this government Senator
Morgan protested against the second report OF
the committee which rescinded the action
adopting the amendments. and declared that
the changes suggested, particularly in regard 10
safeguarding the health OF those who work on
the canal were absolutely essential. Senator
Morgan was ill., and his efforts taxed his
strength greatly.