New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-03
DEMOCRATS FOR TREATY.
Senator Clarke's Speech the Final
BIo5c to German Opposition.

Washington. Feb. flames P. Clarke. ths
new Senator from Arkansas delivered his first
speech in the Senate today It consisted Of a
vigorous defence OF the. course Of the aJriin-
istration In its relations with Colombia and the
Republic of Panama. an able refutation OF every
objection urged By Senator Clarke's Democratic
colleagues. and il strong argument in support OF
the Panama treaty. which Mr.. Clarke de-
-iared. should be ratified by unanimous Tote of
the Senate.
The speech Of Senator Clarke is regarded as
the final blow 70 the German opposition % the
treaty and indicating rapid dsintegration cf
the opposing forces. 1t was a subject OF gen.
ersl comment in the Senate to-day that Mr.
German had suffered two signal defeats. and
was in grave danger Of another His hope OF
becoming the Democratic leader in the ap-
preaching campaign Is admittedly abandoned.
his leadership in the Senate has undergone ir-
reparable injury. and his power in his own
State trembling in the balance. Mr.. German
has apparently apandored his coIeag gues in the
Senate. and has not been in his seat this week.
his absence having made necessary the aban-
dOnment of the caucus which it was proposed ID
hold this morning.
CLARKE DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT.
Seldom has Senator's first speech com
manded closer attention than that given 70 Mr..
Clarke's effort. beginning with the treatment
by Colombia of the Hay-Herran treaty. he
demonstrated how greed. and not patriotism.
had characterized all Of the dealings Of that
nation. He exposed without pity the con-
temptible course of the Colombian President and
the Colombian Congress Taking up the revoIu-
ton In Panama. he defended every act ofthe adj
/ ministration and Of the American officers ON the
sthmus declaring that they would have been
most blameworthy had they pursued di~-srent
/ course He urged that II was ridiculous m the
/ the face OF the facts for hts colleagues n say
/ that had not this country protected the transi-
/ across the isthmus by landing marines the revo-
/ luton would have been put down within wees
/ and asserted that. with the people Of Psnaua
snarting from abuse and a unit in favor e
their independence. long weeks Of blOOdshed aud
guerilla warfare would have ensued if this cOun-
try had not interfered. He rfdiculed the effec-
tiveness OF the Colombian army. which he said
was made UP largely Of boys Of unripe years
and officered by men so lacking in patriotism
and honor that small cash payments proved
ample TO induce them 70 abandon the cause
which they had been sent 20 defend
Senator simmons CDemOcrau. Of North Caro-
lima interrupted TO suggest that had not the
revolution been promptly and effectually ae-
complished the Departments Of Cauca and An
tioqua would have come 70 the assistance ot
Panama and thus prolonged the war. TO which
Senator Clarke assented.
AMUSING INCIDENTS IN SENATE
This weeks occurrences in the Senate have
not been without amusing features. Senator
SpOOner managed 70 extract unlimited amuse-
ment out OF the chagrin Of senator Fairbanks
yesterday. The Senator from Indiana had an
nounced his intention of speaking in support OF
the treaty. and was preparing 70 take the floor.
when Senator Morgan obtained recognition and
spoke throughout the day Senator Clarke an
Of 10
Mr. Fairbanks was forehanded and senator
Clarke restlessly waited while the Ildiana
Senator delivering his address. greatly To
the amusement of Mr. Spooner. When Mr..
Fairbanks had concluded Mr. Clarke inmedate-
Iy took the floor. and. il To make up for LOST
time. began TO speak at rate which put the
official stenOgraphers on their mettle. For
time he uttered not less than 30 words a rninuts
Another feature which afforded considerable
amusement TO the Republican Senators was the
extreme discontinue OF Senator Berry in the
progress Of his colleague speech The feld
between the Senator'S from Arkansas fs well
known Mr.. Berry has long been torn with
conflicting emotions. his desire to follow the
leadership Of German on the one hand and his
reluctance TO abandon to his couea que the pop
uIa- end Of the Panama argument having
caused the Arkansas Senator many sleepless
nights Now however. Mr.. Clarke has placed
dare not vote against the treaty. but is serious
Iv contemplating the necessity Of making a
speech in its favor. II also noted that hv
coming out fairly and squareIy for the treaty
and defending the action OF the administration
Mr. Clarke had precipitated a situation which
would make IL extremely difficult for the Presi-
dent TO appoint his old enemy and predecessor
In the Senate James h. Jones' the Isfhmian
Canal Commission.
PAYMENTS To COLOMBIA LIKELY.
Senator CuIlorn is authority for the statement
that negotia tiOns looking 10 ar least a partial
endorsement OF Colombia for the loss Of
Panama are making satisfactory progress. and
are likely % be completed within the next ten
Iays The Senator made this statement 70 a
Democrat and the news was gratefully rs-
,stved by that large contingent Of Democratic
Senator's who. following the leadership OF M
German. have placed themselves on record as
against the treaty and now find themselves on
he rocks. They frankly admit that any settle
nent BY which the claims Of Colombia shall be
adjusted will be welcomed BY them as a bridge
amy. Just what form the proposed pavnne,r
70 Colombia will take is not announced but y
3 surmised that IL will he in the nature OF al,
n creased payment to Panama. which win s,-
lble the republic TO defrav its sbo~a oe +bs %.
ombian national debt
IL has been known for some time +ha. sb,--
een Democrats would vote FOR ratifcs +for, -
n the light OF Senator Cullon,'s aDrol1ncaro.,r
senator Cockreil estimates that two thlrds 80
ne Democrats viii vote for ratfdcation -
act there are only four Senator's actu.l1v