New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-15
PANAMA DEBATE GOES ON
Senator Depeac Defends the Presi.
DENTS Policg.
TFRoN TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU

ltAoH TIE TRIBUNE BUREAU
Washington, Jan. 14.-The leading feature OF
the debate in the Senate to-day was the speech
on Panama made by Senator Depew, who spoke
10 crowded galleries and well filed chamber.
Although Mr. Depew had given notice Of his in
fention OF addressing himself to the Panama
question to-day. he came near being crowded
out by Senator Spooner. Mr.. Spooner, who
speaks extemporaneously, and. a rule. only
when he becomes so charged with ideas that he
can no longer contain himself arose TO reply
briefly 10 certain aninladversions OF Mr. New
lands. who had spoken earlier in the day. In
tending TO speak only a moment, Mr.. Spooner
quickly warmed 10 his subject, while Senator
Depew politely waited for him 10 conclude his
remarks. When IL became obvious that the
Senator from Wisconsin getting well under
way for a speech of several hours note was
sent TO him by Senator Aldrich. calling his at
tention TO the fact that Mr.. Depew was sched-
uled for speech. In a moment more another
note came from Senator Allison. and then fol-
lowed several others, ana the eloquent Wis
consin Senator gradually put on the brakes and
eventually subsidized. after which Mr.. Depew
secured the floor.
Mr.. Depew said that the opponents Of the
treaty are aiding the enemies OF the canal IT,
he continued. there has been a concert OF &C
ton among any great railway corporations to
and civilization. am not aware Of #, but If
such q combination does exist, then its allies
and SIS most efficient assistants are to be found
among those who. under any device or excuse.
are endeavoring to defeat the treaty with the
Republic OF Panama"
he went into details concerning the Hay-Her-
ran treaty, declaring that President Marroquin
OF Colombia had the Colombian Congress in
his power and dictated the course pursued by
It. with the end in view Of securing better finan-
rial terms from the United States at the ex-
pense OF the canal company. He charged Mario
uuin with ignorance OF the fact that the United
States has a conscience. 1--WE are" he said. "a
commercial nation. Our people are trained to all
the retrements of business obligations and all
the reciprocal relations OF contracts. Much as
we want the canal never could have taken 1t
By becoming a partner in this highway robbery
Of the property Of the citizens of France"
Mr. Depew controverted the argument that the
position OF the United States in recognizing the
Republic OF Panama was reversal of the ma
tiopal position on secession.
After reviewing diplomatic history IN the rec
ignition OF new countries. Mr.. Depew said: mo
State ever became Independent go completely,
20 righteousiy. timely as Panama. The
hour struck for her when the world was watch
ing the clock. No President did a more
timely or more patriotic act than did President
Roosevelt Ia his recognition and defense of the
Republic OF Panama"
Mr.. Depsw rioicuied as iurid the contention
that the President had made war on Colombia
He declared that in his dependence the De-
moeracy of the United States, President Mar
roquin forgot that party was not In power in
any branch of the government of this country,
snd that two OF the Southern States had already
instructed their Senators TO vote for the canal
treaty, and others Were likely 10 follow their
example.
Of the Presidents policy. He conceded that the
President had not been bound. because
sonabie time had not elapsed, to turn from the
Panama TO the Nicaragua route BE also as
tented TO the proposition that the United States
had q grievance against Colombia on account Of
the rejection of the Hay-Herran treaty But
he oontended that the action of the United
States in preventing the landing OF Colombian
troops in Panama was an Intervention that
amounted 10 declaration Of war. He engaged
h controversy with MI Spoener as to the
guarantee Of the right of transit. He said he
was willing admit that the spirit of the treaty
OF 1916 calls for the building of the canal. but
even with that construction Colombia's refusal
to allow the building Of the canal would not
have been cause for war or for the landing Of
planned that the President had prematurely
recognized Panama. The established methods of
diplomacy were ignored, and immediate and
prompt armed Intervention and a display OF
force Were made without complying with the
Had these outrages been cornrnitted." Mr.
Newlands added, ''by the Executive en- great
power like England or Russia or Germany, Con-
gress would promptly disavow them: and shall
the impotence of Colombia disqualfy her from
receiving satisfaction for injury inflicted on her
by the unauthorized and unconstitutional action
Of this countrys Chief Executive?"
Mr.. Spooner congratulated Mr.. Newlands on
what he called espousal Of the doctrine Of In
ternationai eminent domain II was. he said,
recognition Of the right TO cut away through the
isthrnus for the purpose of wedding the two
oceans, dependent only on the payment of dam
ages.
Mr.. Newiands said he was not prepared to &C
eept this definition of his own position, and had
accepted the Presidents position only for the
sake of the argument
Mr. Spooner retorted that whereas the Nevada
Senator had originally emerged from the chap
psral into the open, he now had gone back 10
the chapparal