The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-15
Compensating Colombia
for Wrong Done Her.
IT'S NEWLAND'S VIEW
DepeW Defends the Course of the
President in the Panama Matter.
Lattimer Asks Government
Aid in Good Roads
Building.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, Jan. 1.-THE Senate today
Mt. Depew on the Panama Canal question
and to a speech by Mr.. Latimer in ad
vooacy of the adoption of plan for the
Improvement of the public wagon roads
of the country. Mr.. Newlands spoke III
criticism of the course of the President
IN Panama, declaring that it was an act
of war and in contravention alike of the
treaty of 1885, of international law and of
the Constitution of the United States.
Mr.. Depew on the other hand, praised
the Presidents policy as patriotic and
justified it under precedent and law. He
reviewed the history of Panama and de-
tailed the facts connected with the nego-
uation Of the Hay -Herran treaty, con-
tending that Colombia had overreached
herself in her rejection of that agreement.
The consideration of the Postoffice De-
partment investigation resolution was
postponed until next Monday.
In accordance with his previous notice,
Mr.. Latimer IS. c. discussed the subject
of good roads. He based his remarks
upon his own bill providing a plan of CO.
ment and the various States for the I'M
provement of the public roads. He said
that about one-third of our people, living
in the country districts. bear the entire
responsibility and cost of maintaining the
common reads, He contended that this
Is an unjust discrimination against them,
and urged that the National Government
should bear part CT the burden.
Mr.. Newlands, discussing the Panama
question, said it was doubtful whether the
status which existed before could be re-
stored. A new government had been Gre
ated by the violent acts of the United
States government It would be difficult
TO undo what had been done. 1t would
be difficult to compel again the surrender
Of the isthmus and her people to the
sovereignty of Colombia, involving posi-
bly, the punishment of her people for of
lenses or which the United States govern;
ment was itself guilty, but he insisted
that ''the honor of the United States de-
mands prompt disavowal by the Congress
OF the United States, whose Constitutional
prerogative had been invaded, of the law
less and unconstitutional acts OF the chief
executive"
Such dsavowal would mean compensa-
ZION III SOLuc IOTLl, elLncF IlG restoration
of thing taken, or damagess for its
taking, to be surrendered either by mu-
tual agreement through the form of a
treaty of amity, or by reference to some
tribunal OF arbitration, such as The
Hague.
Mr.. Spooner congratulated Mr. New
lands upon what he denominated as an
espousal Of the doctrine of international
eminent domain in the last & declaration of
his speech in the interest If collective
It was, he said, recogni-
ton of the right to cut a way through
the isthmus for tine purpose of wedding
the two oceans dependent only upon the
payment of damages.
Mr.. DepeW spoke in support of the ad-
in its conduct on the Isthmus
Of Panama. After speaking of the i'm
portance of the canal Mr. Depew said
that the opponents of the treaty are aid
ing the enemies of the canal. 'If," he
continued, there has ever been a con-
cert &C action among any great railway
corpora tions to defeat this most beneficent
work OF commerce and civilization, 1 am
not aware of it; but if such a combina-
yion does exist, then its allies and its
most efficient assistants are to be found
among those who, under any device or
excuse ARE endeavoring to defeat the
.reaty with the Republic OF Panama.
The Senate adjourned until tomorrow.