The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-16
Presidents Action Contrary to
 International Law
MR SPOONER |SQUEST|ONED
The Colorado Senator Maintains That Roosevelt's Policy on the lsthmus Is Defense of Doctrine That
 "Misht Makes Right"

Washington. January 15.-Today's ses- sion of the senate began with the passage of number of bills on the calendar, al losed in a like manner.
 intervening time was given over to a speech by Mir. Teller on the Pana- ma nal question, MT. Teller contend ing that the course of the President in ! connection with the recent revolt of Panama had been contrary to precedent, and in contravention of international law.
 The senate adjourned until Monday.
 A bill was passed authorizing the county of Poinsett, in the state of Ar kansas, to construct a bridge across the St. Francis river.
 The German Panama resolution was then laid before the senate. Before any one was recognized to speak on the resolution Mir German offered a number of amendments. striking out the words Intervention wherever it appears, thus modifying the resolution, so as to make it an inquiry of the President concerning the use of American military forces in the Isthmus of Panama.
 Mir Teller, in view of the amendments, withdrew his motion to refer the resolu- tion to the committee on foreign rela- tions, and said he was willing to have it voted upon.
 He had no complaint to make against Panama, as he thought the people of that country had the right to enter upon revolution. Indeed he thought if he had lived in Panama he would have been rebel himself. The right of the Pana- manians. however, did not alter the duty of the United States to remain neutral
 Should Be Recognition.
 MT. Teller laid down the rule that there shoruld be recognition of a new state coming into existence by secession only when the new power has established its capacity to naintain it's status independ- gently If the nfoKher country, and he cited many instances and quoted a number or authorities in support of this position There should be no interference so long as there was no likelihood of the success of the parent state.
 This rule, MT. Teller held, had not been met in Panama. He did not believe the revolution could have been sustained Tor a Cay without the support of the United States. He also took the position that there never should have been an armed
  lombia's affairs even under the treaty, except upon the invitation of Colombia
 When Mir. Teller referred to MT. Till mans charact erization of the situation on the isthmus, the latter interrf pted to say that he had been misunderst d, and de- sired to explain. He said he had meant to say that 1t would have been preferable for the United States to tell Colombia to get off the isthmus entirely. than for us to s.nursue there the methods of the sneak thief and maintain the attitude of a bully"
 In response to a suggestion made by MT. Teller, MT. Spooner interrupted to say that by the treaty of 1S46 Colombia was bound to maintain the perpetual right or the United States to passage across the isthmus, and he argued that right remains even though Colombia does not stand De- hind 1t.
 Asked Opinion From Spooner.
 MT. Teller admitted that any right tnaS the United States had under Colompia she still had under Panama, if Panama was an established power. He then asked for an opinion from the Wisconsin sen ator concerning the new theory or ii- ternational eminent domain" and the lat- fer replied that The had not yet been apie to give l is assent to that doctrine whicn as he understood it, meant that when weak nation had what strong natoh needed, the latter might take 1t by means of arms if necessary Yet it must be re- membered that right of way of one land owner over land owned by another perscn Is A right recognized by the world.
 of" he said. there is doctrine or inc private way of necessity are we 10 say that there is not an international way of necessity where the interest or the world is concernedT
 There were interruptions at this polnt' causing Mir Tillman to remark that Tt takes a great many doctors to prlns apou' the birth of this baby
 .Tll try to take care of my own babies responded MT Spooner, "and when can. not do that I will ask some member oi my own family to GO so.
 Caused outburst of Laughter.
 The colloouy occasioned general out hurst of laughter After it has subsided' Mr Spooner continued his statement saving that he was willing to confess that he had not reached conclusion m his own mind. II am not wiling ,o concede the right of international emi- nent domain, but l cant ma II III my heart to deny It."
 Mr Teller took issue with the Presi- dents declaration that the course pur- sued in Panama had been in the interest of collective civilization. That, ne saiu, was a dangerous doctrine, and was Just such a doctrine as Russia might appear to, if she should attempt to crush Japan. The doctrine was not American. 1t was contrary to all the best traditions of this country It was the doctrine that might makes right" He discussed the govern ment of Panama, declaring 1t to be un- republican in form, and was interrupted by MT. Spooner, who said that 1t had been 'mooted question as to whether there is a republican form of govern ment in Colorado"
 If" responded MT Teller, there IS not a republican form of government in Colorado there is republican admins tration there"
 When MT. Teller ceased speaking, the senate passed large number of private pension bills. and at 4:22 D. m. adjourned until Monday.
 Teamsters' Strike Causes Trouble.