Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-21
TO ACQUIRE PANAMA
Mr.. Morgan Speaks on His
Annexation Resolution.
MUST GO FORW ARD
TO UNDO WHAT HAS
BEEN DONE.
Would Placate Colombia-Mr. Plat Re-
sumes His Speech-Army Bill
in the House.
MUST GO FORW ARD

Immediately after the disposal Of the rou-
tine morning business in the Senate today
Mr. 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 the
construction of a canal via the Nicaragua
route. He then entered upon formal ex-
PLANTATION of the two measures.
Provisions Of the Bill.
The bill appropriates $1O,OOOOOO as COM
pensation to Panama for it's cession; places
$4,000 900 at the disposal of the President
for the compensation of Colombia and APP
propriates s4oOOo,OoO for the purchase of
the property of the New Panama Canal
Company of Colombia, including the
Panama canal 1t is especially provided
that the provisions of this bill shall not
have the effect of repeating the Spooner
act
The preamble sets forth the fact that
many nations having recognized the seces-
sion of Panama, the independence of that
republic is an accomplished fact. The bill
credits the President of the United States
with having approved and protected the
secession with the naval forces Of the
United States and the President and the
Senate with having recognized the inds-
pendence of the new republic by appoint
ing and accredting minister to that re-
public. After providing for the annexation
of Panama by the United States the bill
declares that all the rights and properties
of the republic of Panama of every de-
scription shall vest in the United States
of America without reserve, and shall be
subject to their sovereign jurisdiction
Continuing, Mr.. Morgan spoke of the diff
iculties which the country has encountered
In Panama, saying that they are not OF the
country'S seeking. but were due to the pre-
limited
States. 1t was, however, impossible to undo
what had been done. and he contended that
further proceedings should be in accordance
with legislation. In order to get rid of the
consequences of our acts we must make, he
sad, some equitable arrangement with CO.
lombia, for 1t was not to be supposed that
Colombia meant to submit calmly. H. he
argued we are to build a canal in Panama
we must have the good will of Colombia,
for without 1t the obstacles of disease and
outlawry will be infinitely increased.
Mr.. Morgan made an appeal to the news
papers to use their utmost endeavors to Sc
cure information concerning the situation,
saying there no probability that any
resolution would elicit new information
from the executive department.
Mr.. Morgan predicted that the President
would not be able to secure future appro-
priations. Indeed" he said, Il don't be-
lieve that he wants appropriations. 1t is,
better for campaign purposes that legisla-
ton on the canal question should consist OF
promises only.
He sad that he had inserted in his bill the
provision for the payment of $15OOo.OOo for
the pacification of Colombia, because he
had heard that the President had entered
into an agreement for the payment of that
sum for that purpose.
He had inserted 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 1t was in
tended to meet the emergency, and he hoped
that it would be so accepted by all persons
concerned.
MI. Plat Resumes.
When Mr. Morgan concluded Mr. Platt
(Conn) resumed the speech on the German
Panama resolution begun by him yesterday.
He again took up the argument that the
action of the United States and other pow
ers In recognizing Panama is irrevocable,
and he drew the inference that the Senate
must proceed upon that theory.
Mr.. Platt defended the President against
the charge of committing an act of war
or even an act of Intervention. denying that
his acts in connection with the Panama
revolt amounted to either.
ut is easy" he explained. ito make
charges and talk in excited way. But
we want more than talk when the question
is here for action. We want specifications
and 1t is time for senators who talk of acts
of war and of Intervention to tell us what
an act of war is and what act of the Presi-
vention. 1t is acts Of which we are speak
ing, and we are not concerned with what
the President thinks or wants"
The charges that the President knew Of
the revolution and had connived at 1T plac-
ed him in position he ought not to be
placed in and in a position which it was
necessary to deny, said Mr.. Platt.
1t amounted to a national disgrace that
such charges were made. One thing about
the President was that the people believed
him honest; that he was a man who made
nc concealment of his views and acts. He
was a man who did what he believed to be
right.
The President had met the charges and
fnSinuations in message to Congress. Had
he been President, said Mr.. Plat, he would
not have done it, but the President de-
cided to rest his claim with the American
people He then read the part of the
Presidents message which denied the
charges. and he declared that he would
take the word of the President against
that of any newspaper article signed or
unsigned.
Right to Send Force to Isthmus
Mr.. Platt commended that our rights on
the isthmus were superior to those Of any
treaty. He also claimed that the Presl-
dent had the right to send troops to pro-
tect American interests and the lives and
property of American citizens President
Roosevelt had the same constitutional right
to send ships and land marines at Panama
that President Mckinley had to send troops
TO Peking for the relief OF the American
legation.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
When the House Of Representatives con-