The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-02-03
SENATOR FAIRBANKS ON
THE ISTHNIAN TROUBLE
AND PRESIDENTS POLICY
Notable Speech by the Indianian in
Support Of the Panama Canal
Treaty.
REVIEW OF SITUATION
Action of ROosevelt's Administra-
REVIEW OF SITUATION
Action of Roosevelt's Administra-
ton in Recognizing the New
Republic Upheld.
PANAMA FULLY JUSTIFIED
In Seeding from Colombia Be
cause of Many Wrongs-No
American Completely.
special to the IndIanapolis Journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON. Feb. 2.-"Others have
said that this is an American question, and
so Ii is. 1t transcends the narrow bounds
of party. It is as wide as the ample limits
OF the Republic"
So declared Senator Fairbanks to-day in
speech on the Panama question. regarded
as one OF the most noteworthy contributions
on the subject of the isthmian canal that
has been offered at this session of Congress.
The attention with which Senator Fair
banks was followed by his colleagues was
remarkable, in view Of the fact that the de-
bate Is rapidly drawing TO a close.
The Senate chamber was well crowded
when the Indiana senator took the floor.
His speech was a vigorous defense of the
administration and an Endorsement of every
act OF the President in connection with the
Panama affair Senator Fairbanks contend
ed that the secession of Panama the
deliberate act of the people of that state. in
no way encouraged by the administration.
He asserted that Colombia had not carried
out promises made to this country. and that
the charge that the administration was re-
spOnsibIe for the secession of Panama was
without basis In fact. The Presidents
whole course had been prompted by a pa
trfotic purpose. which time would justify,
said Mr.. Fairbanks. The senator occupied
the floor for an hour and half and at the
conclusion of his address he was warmly
congratulated by his colleagues.
A SIGNIFICANT STEP
Senator Fairbanks spoke in part as fol-
lows:
The questions growing out OF affairs in
Panama are important and deserve earnest
consideration. The opposition sharply chal-
lenges the wisdom of the course of the
administration In dealing with the republic
anna. Many phases OF the isthmian canal
question have been touched upon in the
course Of debate; debate which has been
characterized by much earnestness and
some manifestation OF feeling
In all the centuries the most significant
and decisive step was taken by the Con-
gress of the United States less than two
years ago when it enacted into law the
bill presented by the distinguished senior
senator from Wisconsin CMr. Spooner.)
When that bill was enacted into law and
placed upon the statute books il became
evident 70 the world that the great work
would be speedily carried forward to COM
government OF the United states
AS all are well aware the act authorized
the President 10 secure the property of the
New Panama Canal Company and to OBJ
tain the requisite concessions from Colom-
bia for canal across the isthmus. The
act wisely provided that in the event the
President should be unable TO obtain for
the United States a satisfactory title to the
property Of the New Panama Canal Com
ritory Of the republic Of Colombia, .
within a reasonable time and upon reason
able terms, then the President should pro-
ceed with the canal upon the Nicaragua
route. '..----.--
The act very properly did not undertake
TO put upon him any specific limit as 10
time What should be a reasonable time
must, In the very nature OF the case, be
left largely to his discretion Being thus
clothed with the authority of the law, the
President proceeded with the utmost dis
patch TO negotiate treaty with Colombia
for the necessary property rights and fran
chtseS for the construction and maintenance
of the Panama canal He also agreed with
the New Panama Canal Company upon
terms for the purchase of its property,
which We're TO be effective when the re-
Colombia.
THE HAY-HERRAN TREATY.
THE treaty with Colombia known as the
Hay-Herran treaty was laid before the SEN
ate for its ratification. 1t provoked earn
est and protracted debate. 1t was sharply
opposed by those who favored the Nicara-
qua route. 1t was as severely antagonized
as has been the course of the administra-
tion with respect to the recognition of the
republic of Panama In due time the treaty
was ratified and transmitted to the CO.
lomDlan government for its approval The
action OF the government was awaited with
interest: The world looked with great
soiicitude, for Colombia had but to give
negotiated by her minister II Washington
and upon her own initiative and the great
work would proceed. Her disapproval would
put the enterprise in peril or delay II in
definitely. But the concern of the United
states and other countries was but slight
when compared with the anxiety OF PAN
ANA. The treaty. which was approved by
the Senate OF the United States March II
teO3. was laid before the Colombian Com
gress which assembled June 20 following.
Opposition 10 its ratification manifested
1tseII early fOnticfl parties undertook to
make capital out of It. Our minister at
BOgota informed the State Department. he
fore the close of the month in which we
ratified IL that there was strong opposition
10 its ratification. The public mind was
asitated and misdirected by a portion of
the public press and by politicians opposed
TO the Marroquin administration"
Mr.. Fairbanks here reviewed the advices
received from Minister Broupre at BOgota
already made public by the secretary of
state, which showed that Colombia had
determined TO ignore the rights of Panama
and refuse 10 ratify the canal treaty. Con-
tnuing Senator Fairbanks said
Panama saw in the Vaccinations at Bo-
gotta the possible ruin of her ionC-deferred
hope. The government might force the
United States under the alternative provi-
sion OF the spooner law TO adopt the Mica
ragua route and leave the Panama enter
prise 10 die. The wrongs and outrages
which Panama had long endured had
destroyed all love for the renuhIic irbe 1-S,e
dearest rights OF her people were cruaiIv
trampled upon. Her history during most
OF the time since 1871 when she became a
a
mOnotonOus recital OF acts OF oppression
and injustice committed by the national an
thority. While existing as a deparfment
OF a nominal republic, she has been but a
province OF a brutal dictatorship: She has
been made virtually the spoil of the govern
ment at BosOto.
PANAMA MIXED BY COLOMBIA
Millions OF dollars have been vrunr
from her people first and last. and they
have received no adequate return therefor.
Monopolies in the necessities Of life have
been granted and the revenue derived
therefrom has gone 10 Bogota. Millions Of
dollars received from the canal and rail-
road companies for concessions and fran
chtse5 In Panama have gone into the fed
eral treasury, and only the most Insignia
cant fraction OF II has ever been used for
the benefit OF that department
For the millions contributed to the To
gotta treasury. according TO a Trustworthy
newspaper correspondent recently wrffinp
from the isthmus, there Is not I'm existence
in the whole OF Panama to-day sinSls
bridge. street plaza. public building or
other structure OF public utility or corn
fort the expense or which was borne by the
Colombian government.
PROM Information l have derived per
(CONTINFTEI