New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31
GORM4N DEFEATED AGAIN
Democratic Senators Unable ID
Agree on Panama Policy.
IFROM THE TRIBUNE sUREAU-I


/ washington Jan. Ex-senator German pre-
sented for the consideration OF his party col
leagues in a caucus held to-day, at which a
/ special injunction OF secrecy was issued to all
present two schemes which he believes may
add considerably to the embarrassment OF the
administration. and possibly even result in that
act of warfare on the part OF Colombia which
is the remaining source of hope OF the anti
canal faction IN the Senate.
Mr. Germans pet scheme is the passage Of the
Stone resolution. calling for an investigation by
the Committee on Foreign Relations OF the ru-
that Mr.. Bunau-Varilla or other people in
the United States promoted contributed to
the Panama revolution 1t was argued in the
caucus to-day that the passage OF this resolu-
tiOn must result in investigation which could
easily be prolonged for the greater part OF the
present session and almost until the opening OF
the campaign It would afford opportunity
for the introduction Of the most sensational evil
dence which. although it might be disprOved.
would be allowed to leak OUT to the press and
would inevitably produce some effect. and pos
sfblv save to the Democrats a few votes It
would put the administration TO considerable
embarrassment. because it would become neees-
sary 10 summon witnesses. probably from as far
away as Panama 10 disprove the evidence which
the opposition would be able 10 introduce
This resolution was the chief topic OF debate
the caucus ana IL dPpcdicu SeAoHSAS ~ ~A7
Gornan-BaiIey faction. and. were there any
semblance OF unity in the Democratic ranks.
Senator Stones resolution might have been
adopted as a party measure There were. how
ever a number Of Democrats present who ap-
preciated that such course. doomed to inev-
table ultimate exposure would bring down on
them the censure of their constituents. and they
held back in sufficient numbers 10 make IL I'm
possible TO adopt the Stone resolution by two
thirds vote and thus bind the party in the
Senate.
Defeated in his attempt 10 put through this
mischievous programme MIR German then
turned his attention TO his second scheme This
was the adoption a party measure of the
wealth of mischief making power. but Mr. Bacon
advanced the idea that it might rob the admin
istratiOn OF the credit of negotiating any treaty
with Colombia which would remove all soreness
from the diplomatic relations Of the two coun-
tries and that would be a step in the desired
direction The Gorrnan-Bacon programme. how
ever was. met with an argument suggested by
Senator Spooner. who yesterday penned
ironical summary Of the Bacon resolution and
passed IL around the Senate Chamber. It read:
whereas The United states took no part i,
bringing about the revolution in Panama and Is IN
Resolved That the United States submit the
nuosriOu of damages sustained BY Colombia 70 the
Court OF Arbitration at The Hague in order to de-
ternine what sum Of money the United States
should pay 10 Colombia
Some OF the Democrats believed that this too
accurately portrayed the Democratic position
embodied in the Bacon resolution. and as q.