The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-22
TiImaR Says We Want Canal There if We Don't Have
 to Steal IL
.PLATT UPHOLDS ACTS
 OF PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT
characterizes Him as Brave and Fearless Man and One Who Will Do His Duty at Any
 Cost.

Cost.
 Washington, January H.-Mr. Platt of Connecticut concluded his speech on Panama today. He defended the course revolt, and eulogized the expective per sonally, as brave and fearless. During the morning hour MT. Morgan spoke in explanation of his bill for the annexation of Panama to the United States, passing his argument on the ground that the pending canal treaty is contemplating that result
 Immediately after the disposal of the routine business MT. Morgan called for the reading of the bill introduced by him yesterday providing for the annexation of Panama to the United States, and also of the resolution directing the President to enter into treaties for construction of a canal via the Nicaragua route. He then entered upon a formal explanation of the two measures
 Difficulties to Be Encountered.
 MT. Morgan spoke of the difficulties which the country has encountered in Panama, saying they are not of the coun- try's seeking, but were due to the pre- cipitancy of the President of the United States. It was however, impossible to undo what had been done and he contend ed that further proceeding should be in accordance.
 
 In order to get rid of the consequences of our acts, we must, he said make some equitable arrangement with Panama. for It was not to be supposed that Colombia meant to submit calmly. If, he argued, we are to build a canal In Panama we must have the good will of Colombia, for without it the obstacles of disease :, i'd outlawry will be infinitely increased.
 MT. Morgan made an appeal to the newspapers to use their utmost endeav-. ors to secure information concerning the situation saying there was no probability that any resolution would elicit new infor- nation from the executive department. Mr. Morgan predicted that the President would not be able to secure future appro- priations.
 Does Not Want Appropriations.
 
 Indeed" he said, q don't believe that he wants appropriations. It is best for campaign purposes that legislation on the canal question should consist of promises only"
 He stated that he had inserted in his bill the provision for the payment of $15,- 00O,O00 for the pacification of Colombia be- cause he had heard the President had en- tered into an agreement for the payment of that sum for that purpose. He had in- serted this provision, as well as the others in the interest of peace and of good will, and in the interest of Panama canal and of all accrued rights. It was intended to meet the emergency. and he hoped 1t would be so acceptel by all persons con- cerned
 When MT. Morgan concluded, MT. Platt. Connecticut, concluded his speech on the German Panama resolution begun by him yesterday He again took up the argu- ment that the action of the United States and other powers in recognizing Panama Is irrevocable and he drew the inference that the senate must proceed upon that theory.
 Platt Defends President.
 Mir Platt defended the President against the charge of committing an act of war or even an act of intervention, denying that HIS dCl III COlDtCllDn Wlth tht ttho- ma revolt amounted to either. Tt Is easy" he said ito make charges and talk in an excited way. We want speclfica- tions and 1t is time for senators who talk on acts of war and of intervention, to tell us what an act of war is and what act or the President in this case amounts to war or intervention. It is acts of which we are speaking, and we are not concerned with what the President thinksj or wants"
 The charges that the President knew of the revolution and had connived at 1t, placed him in a position he ought not to be placed in, and in a position which 1t was necessary to deny. said MT. Platt.
 It amounted to a national disgrace that sueh charges were made. One thing about the President was that the people believed him honest; that he was a man who made no concealment about his views and acts. He was a man who did what he believed to be right
 Met Charues and Insinuations.
 The President had met the charges and in message to congress. Had he been President, said MT. Platt, he would not have done it, but the Pres ident decided to rest his claim with the American people.
 MT. Platt said that our rights on the isthmus were superior to those of any
 
 treaty.
 MT. Tillman asked if the attitude of the Colombian forces was not in the nature of a, "dicker or badger to increase the price of going
 MT. Platt replied that MT. Hubbard and his forty-two men had nothing to do with the buying of the departure of the Colom- bian troops.
 There would be, he added, no difficulty in accepting the theory of good faith in this matter If senators wanted canal at Panama, and did not want 1t at Nica- ragua.
 T want canal at Panama" responded MT. Tillman, ''if we don't have to steal it."
 To this expression MT. Platt took ex- ception as unworthy. Senator Platt spoke briefly of the doctrine of international eminent domain" but said the phrase was a misnomer. as there was no question of domain involved
 Will Build 1t With Strong Arm.
 But" he added there is reason for saying that if the people owning the strip of land across which the world has said there should be an inter-oceanic canal, hedge it about with difficulties, strike for more money and hold up negotiations, the United States. if the canal cannot be built