The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1904-01-21
WOULDGRABPANAMAI
Morgan's Bill In the Senate TO
Annex Isthmian State.
SENATOR TALKS EICGRACUGH ROUTE

OF sixty-nve Millions Rs COmpen-
satiOn to Panama, Colombia
and the Canal Company.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 21.-In the sen
ate Mr.. Patterson and Mr.. Plat spoke
at length on the Panama canal ques.
ton. Mr.. Patterson declared that the
president was largely responsible fol
the revolt in Panama and announced
his decided preference for the Nlcara.
qua route.
Mr.. Plat took this announcement
for Nicaragua as the text for his re.
marks. He said 1t explained the mys'
terry of the otherwise unexplainable op.
position on the part of the Democratic
senators to the Panama treaty.
Mr.. Patterson referred to the portion
Of the presidents message, in which he
stated that 1t had been his intention II
Colombia did not accept our terms to
submit to congress 1.-THE propriety of a
direct arrangement with Panama or
take what other steps might be need
full In order to begin the canal enter
prise" Such a proposition, Mr.. Pat
terson declared, would have been an
insult to the dignity and honesty OF
congress-" He repeated the charge
that the presidents mind was known
in Panama and asserted that his course
was pure, cold blooded participation
with the rebels"
Mr.. Patterson having quoted certain
newspaper reports, Mr.. Aldrich inter
rupted that the statements were unau-
thorized newspaper reports,
Mr.. Patterson replied that he had OBJ
served that incorrect newspaper re-
ports concerning the affairs of the ad-
ministration are promptly contradict
ed AS an instance he cited the de-
NAL Of the report that the president
had said concerning certain sena-
tors attitude toward the presidential
nomination that he would either have
to fish or cut bait"
Mr.. Patterson asserted that Mr.. Blu
nau-Varilla had come to Washington
to lobby the canal measure through
for the Panama Canal company and
declared that MFR. Bunau-Varilla had
not even been in Panama since 1886.
He charged that the effort to displace
the Nicaragua canal with the Panama
canal was in the interest Of those who
want no canal at all and, at the worst,
one which would give the least compe-
tition to the transcontinental railroads.
He believed the Nicaragua canal could
be completed in fifteen years less time
than the Panama canal. He therefore
would vote against the ratification OF
the treaty.
Mr.. Plat then argued in support Of
the course of the administration In Pan
anna. He declared that the Democrats
lost sight OF the fact that Panama's in
dependence was an established fact,
recognized not only by the United
States, but by all the great nations OF
the earth. and If we had violated inter
national law so had Great Britain,
Germany and France.
Senator Morgan introduced a bill pro
viding for the annexation Of Panama
TO the United States. 1.-The rights and
property of Panama resting in the
United States without reserve" The
bill appropriates 100000 as com
pensation to Panama for its cession,
places $15,0OO,OOO at the disposal of the
president for the compensation Of Co
lombia and appropriates $40,00OOOO for
the purchase Of the property Of the new
Panama Canal company in Colombia,
including the Panama canal.
It is especially provided that the pro
visions of this bill shall not have the
effect Of repeating the Spooner act.
Mr. Morgan gave notice that he would
submit some substantial reasons why
the United States should take over Pan.
anna at an early date.
Senator Morgan also introduced a
concurrent resolution directing the
president to enter into negotiations
with the governments of Nicaragua
and Costa Rica for the construction OF
a canal via the Nicaragua route.