The San Francisco call., 1904-02-21
Says That if We Had Abandoned
the Treaty the French Gov
ernment Would Have AS
Sumed Our Responsibilities

his intention Of voting for the ratifica-
tion of the canal treaty, but criticized
the part taken by the United States in
connection with the secession of Pan
anna.
During his speech Spooner engaged
in a spirited colloquy with Tillman. He
defended the President against the as
sumption that his position on Panama
involved the. right Of the Southern
States 10 secede.
Morgan declared that the vote on the
treaty was being unduly hastened, and
asserted this haste TO be due to COM
plications with the new Panama Canal
Company.
Money in a speech said: Whatever
broken faith or blighted honor at
taches to the country was not brought
on by the Democratic party; neither is
either branch of Congress responsible.
The censure belongs TO the administra-
tion and its supporters, as they are ac-
cessories after the fact"
ATTACKS ADMINISTRATION.
Money declared that the Presidents s
course in violation of international law
had been such as to render it indefensi-
bic. He was sure that this and other
acts Of the United States in connection
with the Panama revolt would deserve
and receive the censure Of history. But,
bad as our course had been in Panama,
he said that it was no worse than our
course in Hawaii and the Philippines
had been. He also contended that the
President had been wrong in his recog-
milton of Panama. but concluded that
as he had given it recognition it was
established and its rights as nation
fixed, and this status being fixed the
new republic had a right to enter into
the treaty.
Money referred to the action of the
State Legislature of Mississippi re-
ouesting him to vote for the canal
treaty. saying that that request had as
much influence with him as would be
command.
Spooner resumed the speech which
he had begun Thursday last He said
that if the United States had aban-
doned the treaty the French Govern
ment would have assumed our respon-
sibiIities, which this nation would not
have tolerated. He declared it to be
strange that men who had spoken with
such feeling Of the condition Of Cuba
before the Spanish war should not have
had 2 word to say for Panama.
In response TO a question from Till
man Spooner defended the orders of
the. Government Of the United States
prohibiting the landing of troops with
in fftv miles. of the canal. Till
man said that the United States never
would have interfered in Panama's af-
fairs il the canal had not been involV-
ed. and Spooner replied that the Presi-
dent had obeyed the acts of Congress
in all that he had done.
The President, Spooner contended,
had every reason to believe that the
Government Of Panama was stable,
for Colombia, without treasury or
navy. and with small army and no
means Of reaching Panama, could not
be expected TO be very formidable. He
said that if the South Carolina Senator
had been in Panama he would have
been the chief conspirator there.
DEFENDS PRESIDENT.
Tillman replied that his antagonist
had paid him a great compliment.
Spooner retorted that in making this
admission Tillman was conceding all
he had himself been contending.
Tillman would not, however, admit
that he had any high regard for the
Colonibians. L have called EN- a
NANCY lot" he said, and the Senator
from Wisconsin has made 'em man
gier lot than ! have.
Spooner then entered upon a discus
sion Of the question Of the benefits to
be derived from the canal, the Presi-
dents right 70 recognize and Colom-
bian ownership Of property in the Pan
anna Railroad and Panama canal un-
der present conditions. On the last
named point he took issue with Nor
gan. contending that Colombian own
orship had passed with her sovereignty.
Referring to the Presidents course,
Spooner said that no one need roll un-
der his tongue as a sweet morsel the
contention that in recognizing Panama
the President had committed himself
to the secession Of the Southern States,
which was, he said. an entirely differ
ent matter. That would. do for Confeo-
crate Daughters meetings, but not for
Confederate Veterans themselves.
Culberson asked. How about the
Presidents Capon Springs speech?"
Spooner declared that the doctrine of
secession in this. country had been suf-
fcientfy covered By Daniel Webster's
reply to Hayne as not to render it
necessary to so into that question.
Moreover, the American secession had
failed. $3.50.
But" asked Tillman, would we
have failed if we had had in France
or England big friend like Panama
had in the United States to keep YOU
people away?'
The Senate then went into executive
session, and at 5:27 adjourned.
COLORADO LABOR TROUBLES.
rt.;tt ~. a.