The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-06
LODGE DEFENDS
THE PRESIDENT
Speech in Senate Nearly Three
Hours Long
HAS cOLLOQUY WITH MORGAN
Mr.. Reed, In the House, Makes Face
tlous Remarks on the Memorial to
Preserve the Frigate
Constitution"

Washington. January 5.-Practically tina
entire session of the senate today was
devoted to speech by Mr.. Lodge on the
isthmian situation. He discussed the ab
stract question of the right of the Presf-
dent to recognize the independence OF a
new nation. and concluded that such a
prerogative pertains exclusively to tina
office of the chief executive.
He also contended that there had been
a general expectation of an uprising in
Panama, in case of the failure of the
Hay Herran treaty, and declared that the
President could not have done less than
inform himself of the prospect. Mr..
Lodge argued that our Intervention in
Panama had been only in the interest OF
peace and contended that the President
had not gone a step beyond what
the proprieties called for
The conclusion of the speech was de-
voted to the political aspect of the aues-
ton, and in that connection he referred to
the speeches made at the democratio
banquet In New York last night Mr.
Lodge criticized the Presidential adminis-
tration of Mr.. Cleveland saying that he
did not think anything could be happier
for the republicans than to have the
democrats nominate the last democratic
reform President on a policy Of sustain
ing Colombia. and opposing the United
States in digging a canal in Panama"
Resolution by Hale.
Immediately after the reconvening Of
the senate today, Mr.. Hale. introduced a
resolution requiring the commissioners Of
the District of Columbia to report the
conditions of theaters in Washington. 1t
was agreed to without debate.
Mr.. Lodge then began his speech on
Panama. He quoted a number of au-
thorities In support of his position that
the President had not departed from heats
en- paths in recognizing the independent
government of Panama. and he laid down
the general proposition, THAT revolted
state may be recognized as sovereign or
independent by a neutral power without
departing from its attitude of neutrality.
He also contended that such an act
could not be construed as provoking war.
Mr.. Lodge made reply to those who con-
tend that the fact that the United States
had prevented the secession Of the sonth-
ern states In the civil war debars this
| country recognizing any nation which has
| come In existence through secession as
has Panama This argument he deemed
unworthy. Really under present circum-
| stances there could be no formation of
new nation except by secession. The right
of secession is the right of revolution and
has nothing to do with law.
New State Should Be Recognized.
| He contended that 1t is established that
a new state should be recognized whenev-
er new state is sufficiently established
to assume international obligations and
whenever recognition confirms to the die
tates of prudence and good policy. He
also laid down as a general rule observed
by the United States the fact that defacto
government Is the de jure government.
He contended the recognition of any state
is one to be determined entirely by the
recognizing power, by its inclination and
Judgment Independent of all other consid-
erations.
Many instances in which recognition had
been purely executive were cited and the
senator asserted that President Taylor had
prepared to recognize the independence OF
Hungary before a government had been
established. In reply to question by Mr..
Mason Mr.. Lodge said he had voted for
the resolution declaring that the people
of Cuba are, and of right ought TO DO
free and independent" but he said there
was not then a government in Cuba. HIS
vote then had then been inconsistent with
his present attitude. His contention was
that the recognition of government
WAS a purely executive function.
Replying to the objection that the Pres
ident had gone beyond his authority In
nominating n minister to Panama, Mr..
Lodge quoted a number OF instances 10
| show that the earlier Presidents made
nominations to other countries for Wnicn
| congress had made no provisions
ffrl,o Tor discussed lenEtn
the action of President Roosevelt In con-
nection with the Panama revolt He said
that the act of congress had been an IN
structon to secure canal at a certain
point. No objection had been made to tho
Hay-Herran treaty except that too great
concessions had been made to Colombia
and not withstanding these concessions
the treaty had been summarily rejected
by the Colombian congress- Colombia
had from the start sought to secure
more money for the canal right, Mr.
Lodge asserted, and he quoted Minister
Beaupre's correspondence In support OF
this statement Not an attempt 10
soueeze the Panama Canal company.
Attitude of Colombia.
This was the attitude OF the coiom-
bian government, he said. and called at
tention to the fact that that govern
ment had taken that position after ask
ing the United States to enter into the
negotiation OF the treaty. He also re-
ferred to the effort on the part of Co
lomhia to secure promises from Germany
and Great Britain to take up the canal
project Mr. Lodge dwelt at some length
on the incident. declaring that the invi-
tation to these European powers to build
n canal on the western hemisphere by a
peopie whose very existence depends on
the maintenance of the Monroe doctrine
is very extraordinary.
Mr.. Lodge read from speech made by
Mr. Morgan in the Fifty seventh con-
gress, protesting against the ratification
of the treaty with Colombia. Mr.. Nor
gan construed Mr. Lodges action to be
an Inference that he (Mr. Morgan) had
altered his views concerning the rights
Of Panama to the proceeds OF the sale
of the canal concession. Explaining that
ne had not changed in any particular his
views on the matter. Mr.. Morgan said
he supposed the speech had been brought f,
into debate for the purpose Of reproach7
ing him He then asked Mr.. lodge:
'In the absence Of any agreetent with