Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-22
BRAVE AND FEARLESS
SENATOR PLATT EULOGIZES THE
PRESIDENTS ATTITUDE
Praises His Course in the 1sthmian
Situation-Mr. Teller Criticises
the Administration.

Mr. Platt Of Connecticut concluded his
speech on Panama yesterday afternoon. He
defended the course of the President
throughout the Panama revolt and eulogiz-
ed the executive personally as brave and
fearless.
Mr.. Platt held that Independently Of the
treaty of 1916 the United States had the
right to protect transit across the isthmus,
even against Colombia. Indeed. we were
bound not only to protect our own inter-
ests on the isthmus. but we were bound to
protect the interests of the civilized world.
IF the President had not taken the steps
he did. the protest we now hear would have
been a mere zephyr compared to the storm
we would have heard"
Mr. Plat referred to the protection given
by the American marines and the retire.
ment of the Colombian forces and was IN
terrupted by Mr.. Tillman. who asked If the
attitude of the Colombian forces was not
in the nature of a "dicker or badger to
increase the price of going" Mr.. Platt re-
piled that Mr.. Hubbard and his forty-tWo
men had nothing to do with the buying OF
the departure of the Colombian troops He
added that he had seen the newspaper re-
port that the American vice consul, who
was not an American citizen, had supplied
money for securing Torres departure. Even
If that were true. 1t did not involve the
completely of the government of the United
States. The act of Col. Black in raising the
flag of the Panama nation also was DEFEND
ed on the ground that he was engaged at
the time in civilian duty and raised the flag
after the new government was formed.
There would. he added. be no difficulty In
accepting the theory of good faith In those
matters If senators wanted canal at Pan
anna and did not want it at Nicaragua. -.
Il want canal at Panama., responded
Mr.. Tillman. eff we don't have to steal il"
To this expression Mr.. Platt TOOK eXcep-
ton unworthy.
Mr. Platt spoke briefly of the doctrine OF
international eminent domain" but said
the phrase was misnomer as there was
no question Of domain involved.
But" he added. there is reason for say
ing that If the people owning the strip of
land across which the world has said there
should be an interoceanic canal hedge 1t
about with difficulties. strike for more
money and hold up negotiations, there is
reason for saying that under those clrcum-
stances if the canal cannot be punt In any
other way. the United States will build II
with a strong arm. and the message OF the
President was entirely justified on that
point"
Mr.. Platt also defended the act of the
President under international law.
Brave and Fearless Man.
The act of recognizing the new republic
was commended with warmth. THE act
he said. Stands out as that OF brave ana
fearless man-as that Of a man who is
neither rash or impetuous He did the
right thing at the right time, the thing
which will insure the building of the canal,
which has been so long delayed. we VIII
ratify the treaty" he went on; we Will
build the canal and when the ships OF the
whole world, with their cargoes, are trav-
ersing it, these criticisms, these attacks,
these vituperations will be forgotten, ana
whatever Mr.. Roosevelt may do In the
present or any other term of office this
greatest of his
career"
With this Mr. Plat closed, and Mr.. Till
man was recognized to read the Osteno
manifesto. and the comment made upon IL
by the republican platform of 1906. he
contended that the policy of the present
administration was that might makes right
1T is he said, 1.-The doctrine of the wolf
in Aesop's fable that whether the stream
want you for supper" He declared our
course in Panama to be simply greedy
and dirty"
Mr.. Teller's Attitude.
Mr. Teller spoke in reply to Mr.. Platts
reference to the criticisms of the President.
He had himself spoken in criticism of the
President for he had not reached the point
that 1.-The king can do no wrong" AS for
himself he was going to vote against the
treaty because it had been negotiated with
a combination of men who had no right TO
make it. If the treaty should be ratified
he would accept it as the law OF the land,
but until that was done he should exercise
his right as a senator to oppose 1t, even
though he should thereby win executive dis
favor He did not doubt the right Of the
President to recognize the independence OF
Panama but If he did not exercise just dis
elimination he was subject to criticism.
Mr.. Teller said that no criticism had been
made of the sending of our warships to
Panama but the criticism had been di-
rected at the Presidents utterances in en-
couragement of the Panama revolt.
When, at 4:05 pm, Mr.. Teller concluded
the Senate went into executive session, and
at AIS pm. adjourned