The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-02-10
Guaranteed to Colombia,
Says Oyerman.
AND THE PLEDGE OURS
Yet We Tied Her Hand and Foot in
the Panama Revolution, 0verman
Declares, Explaining His
Reasons for Voting
Against Treaty.
(Special to News and Observer.

Washington, D. c., Feb. 9.-Senator
Overman made his maiden speech in the
Senate today in opposition to ratification
of the Panama canal treaty. During its
delivery he had close attention from the
Senators on both sides of the chamber
and at its conclusion was the recipient
of many congratulations.
The fact that Senator Overman has
made a good impression on his fellow
Senators that has grown since the first
time he occupied seat among them, and
his speech today, though short, has add
ed to the high esteem in which they hold
him.
1t is pleasant to know that the most
cordial relations exist and will continue
to exist between the two North Caro-
lima Senators though they have spoken
on opposing sides of the Panama ques-
ton and will vote accordingly. Senator
Simmons was one of the first today to
congratulate his colleague, and this after
noon they had a long conference. This
situation is fortunate for the State, whose
interest they represent.
Senator Oyerman began by saving that
being new Senator he had preGeli'i TO
adhere to the tradition of the Senate and
remain silent for a while al least, In re-
gard to the proposed treaty with Panama
and that even now he did not arise for the
purpose OF making speech, but TO n axe
a plain statement of his position. lie con-
| tinued:
L have preferred to vote with MY ccI
league, who at the very outset, an
nounced his purpose to vote for the
treaty, and have hoped, having always
| been a strong advocate or canal and
knowing that a very large number if not
a majority OF my people and the people
of the country desire the treaty ratified,
that l could get the consent OF my con
science to support it. I have heard the
debate, have for myself investigated every
phase OF the controversy, have familiar
lied myself with all the facts and cir
cumstances surrounding the revolution in
Panama and its recognition by this Gov
eTnment as an independent republic, with
view, if possible, to vote for the treaty
and at the same time not to violate my
duty as Senator representing not only
the great State of North Carolina, but
Representing my country as we'll.
But, Mr.. President, there has been ali
the time standing before me an insur-
mountable barrier which has prevented
nv coming to this conclusion. Here is
solemn treaty-the treaty of 1916 enter
| eG into between this country and New
Granada (now Colombial, a solemn cover
ant, scaled, signed and delivered, r&tifiel,
| interchanged, and filed in the archives OF
| each Government for its future conduct,
! the one to the other for all time I'M
| less modified and repealed. It is called
a treaty OF peace, amity, nay> CATION and
! commerce. For the purpose Ot my state
ment | will read only summary OF the
| thirty-6ve articles, which is as follows:
| The Government OF New Gralada
| guaranteed to the Government i the
| United States that the right OF way or
! transit across the Istnmus Of Panama,
! upon any mode of communicate
| then existing Or hereafter construct
| cd, should be open and free to the
| Government and citizens Of the United
| States and for the transportation of
any articles of produce, mapufac-
| lures, or merchandise of lawful COM
mcrce belonging to the citizens Of
the United States. And the
Government of the United States, in
| order to secure to themselves the
tranquil and constant enjoyment of
the advantages mentioned and as an
especial compensation for said adj
vantagcs and other favors acquired by
the treaty, guaranteed, positively and
etfcaciousIy, by that stipulation, the
perfect neutrality OF the Isthmus OF
Panama with tie view that free tran
sit from one to the other sea should
not be interrupted or embarrassed in
any future time while the treaty
should exist; and in consequence. the
United States also guaranteed in tho
same manner, to wit, positively and
cffcaciously, the right of sovereignty
and property which New Granada
then had and possessed over the said
territory, to wit, the entire Isthmls
OF Panama.
Therefore, Mr.. President, VIC not only
guaranteed the perfect neutrality OF the
Isthmus of Panama, but the United States
in the most positive terms guaranteed the
rights of sovereignty and property which
Colombia had and Possessed in the said
territory, the entire Isthmus Of Panama.
1T is c0ntended that the guarantee OF
sovereignty means only the guarantee of
sovereignty as against foreign nations and
not as against secession and disnember-
ment from Colombia.
Tho friends and high contracting par
ties could have had no such intention.
Why, Mr. President, I ask-why guaIan-
tee the sovereignty of Colombia against
foreign nations only when that was al