Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-13
5STH CONGRESS.
(Continued from page ID
upon the troops of Panama as upor


low the question to go over until to-
morrow. but the latter said that he
would. tomorrow, renew his motion to
lay on the table.
Culberson read from the Presidents
directions to prevent landing OF Co.
lombian troops within so miles OF the
lire of the transit across the isthmus.
Foraker said that so miles is but a
days time from transit and days
time from conflict and bloodshed.
Daniel asked If Colombia was not
Obliged to protect its transit.
But Colombia was not protecting
the transit" said Foraker. she was
coming to the isthmus to make war
Foraker declared that 1t was resolu-
lions such as had been offered mere
that created a sentiment for blood
shed.
He said that since 1876 this government
had continued uninterruptedly to protect
the transit across the iSthmus. lie chal-
,enped the Democrats to point out IN
what particular the administration mas
created a wrong under the treaty of 1886
In response to Morgan. Foraker saio ne
hoped and thought some Democratic
members of the Senate will vote for the
Han-R unau-Varilla treaty. Morgan IN
o,ired why Senator Foraker insisted on
making a party matter of it.
Foraker-"I want to ask what has been
the origin of this resolution
Morgan responded that the resolution
originated with himself alone.
Foraker said the suggestions that 1t
was a party resolution had come from
the other side OF the chamber. ana had
led him to ask the question. A spiriteu
and somewhat personal collo1uy between
Racon and Foraker was ended by Daniel
and Lodge speaking in a conciliatory
manner.
Daniel signified his willingness TO ac'
rent Foraker's challenge to point out
wherein the administration had overstep-
ned its authority on the isthmus under
Tho treaty. of 1876. He read from Secre-
t,rv Seward on the treaty of 1916 that
neither the spirit nor the stipulation OF
.bc article recurring the United States
to maintain neutrality warrants inter1er-
ence except against a foreign power. and
Secretary Fish had sustained the opinion
of Secretary Seward
Lodge cited precedents to show that In
1900 1901 and 1862 the United States had
with regard to Panama
Daniel continuing, read opinions from
several secretaries of state that it Is the
undoubted duty of the Colombian govern
ment to protect the isthman railroad
and that the United States guarantees
the sovereignty over the ishmus.
Daniel declared that the beginning Of
last November we were in perfect peace
hot thnn
armed troops into that government Ter
rItory to prevent it exercising the hiGh
est privileges of sovereignty.
IF" he exclaimed, Bryan and Cleve
land and all their predecessors, includint
George Washington and Andrew JACK
son. we're to propose such a thing as tina
l would not sustain it and 1t ought no
be sustained by anyone in any body.
Spooner said he did not doubt the pa
triotism of Bacon or of other senators
but he considered the Bacon resolution
pregnant of possibilities of danger am
in no wise calculated to do good
The resolution in effect he said
charges that we have committed al
act of war against Colombia. but Co
lombia herself does not say so. AM
that republic maintains its diplomati
relations with this country. Yet TN
independence of Panama has been full.
recognized. not only by the UNITED
States but by other countries as well
The resolution could not ovcrturn th'
new government. but it would encour
age a hope in Colombia that it ultl
mately must be overturned. He eX
pressed surprise that senators Shoult
war at a time so critical.
He considered that the troops of tn
United States were where they ough
to be and where they should have beer
even If there had been no treaty. HI
regarded the resolution as not onl!
useless. but dangerous.
God knows" he said. eff ever there
were people entitled to protectio,
from neglect, extortion and tyranny
they We're the Panamanians."
Teller contendcd that the course
proposed in the Bacon resolution wa:
perfectly proper, but took issue will
Spooner on his position that our inter
vention In the Panama affair was no
an act of war. and said If it was no
such an act in fact this circumstance
was due to Colombias feebleness. L
Great Britain or Russia had stood il
Colombia's place actual war woul(
have been the inevitable result.
Carmack asked that time be givei
for debate.
Cullom declared that 1t was gettin,
to be so that no question could b.
brought to vote in the Senate with
out unanimous consent.
A long debate over Cloture followed
during which Aldrich expressed tn
opinion that the peculiar condition
at present existing call for prompt &C
ton.
We here know that the resolution
will be defeated he said.
Bacon said that the resolution wa
calculated to induce peace and not wal
Platt Conn. asked Bacon if he be
lieved Colombia would go to war wit
the United States. and Bacon reptile
in the affirmative. Colombia. he said
would make war upon Panama to re
cover its territory. ana that under tn
circumstances war upon Panama woul
amount to war upon the United State:
He would have the United States d