Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-04
COMMEN TON MESSAGE
Republican Senators Are
Jubilant.
CRITICISMS ANSWERED
THE PRESIDENTS DENIAL OF AL
LEGGED COMPLETELY.
Claim That Every Proviso Of the
Democrats Has Been Met-Mr.
Foraker's Statement.

The reading of the Presidents message on
Panama was listened to with the closest at
attention IN the Senate. and most of the
senators present. of whom there was q large
attendance, followed the message by perus-
ing the printed document which accompa-
MED 1t. The republican senators frequently
nodded to each other approval of certain
passages and called each others attention
to paragraphs In the printed document
which struck their notice.
The document was In some respects re-
markxJle as an executive communication.
One paragraph which caused comment
was that portion where the President re.
ferred to the Injurious insinuations which
have been made Of completely by this gov
eminent In the revolutionary movement in
Panama"
Criticism Replied To.
That reference was taken by all to apply
to the criticisms upon the administration
which have been made in open debate in
the Senate thus far.
The Presidents comments upon those
criticisms that ''they are as destitute OF
foundation as of propriety' caused consid-
cradle gossip among senators in the CORR
doris and cloak rooms.
The Presidents vigorous denial of the
alleged completely of this government has
the unequlvocal approval of republican
senators. It is probable that some demo-
Gratis will take occasion In debate to refer
to this statement of the President made in
connection with the general subject of the
Panama treaty.
Republican senators also are vigorous in
their approval of the Presidents remarks
at the end of his message 'as follows
"1n conclusion let me repeat that the
question actually before this government Is
not that of recognition of Panama an
independent republic That Is already an
a mil Ghn1 anf ion, ftaa
only question Is whether or not we shall
build an iSthmlan canal
Republican Senators Jubilant.
In private conversation republican sena-
tors are jublant over the message and
over the manner in which the President has
handled the political feature of the case.
They take the ground that the President
has completely answered every proviso
which democrats have thus far attached to
their promises to vote for the treaty. They
have said that they would support the
treaty and secure the building of the 18TH
milan canal in case it should be proven that
the government of the United States was
not an accomplish to the revolt of Panama
from the mother country.
Republican senators claim that the Presi-
dent has given the word of the executive of
this nation that the government was not a
party to the revolution; that the corre-
spondence between the United States and
Colombia and the State Department and
our minister has been thrown open to public
perusal; that the commander Of the United
States forces In isthmian waters has stated
positively that the attitude of the naval
commander was strictly neutral as between
Colombia and Panama; and, in fact, that
the administration has disavowed in une-
quivocal and most positive terms anything
dishonorable on the part Of this government
in connection with the revolution.
Republican senators say that unless the
hri To a
solemn assurances of the American execu-
tive and of the representatives of this gov
eminent in military and diplomatic posi-
lions on the iSthmus that there was not
dishonorable action by the United States,
the democrats will be in the position of
preventing the building of the canal by op-
posing the treaty
Senator Foraker's Opinion.
Senator Foraker, a leading member of
the committee on foreign relations, was
asked by a Star reporter this afternoon
for an expression of opinion on the Presi-
dents message. Senator Foraker said:
1T is one of the strongest state papers
have ever read. The Presidents presentn-
ton of the case is complete and unanswer-
able
Il do not think our democratic friends
will undertake to make an issue of the
Panama question.
IF they do We can well afford to meet
it,"
Senator Bacon's Statement.
Senator Bacon of Georgia, one of the
prominent democratic members Of the for
eign relations committee, was asked by a
Star reporter for his opinion upon the mes
sage. Senator Bacon said:
'The President ignores that which liz the
most pertinent and important fact In the
transaction: that is. that by the armed
power of the United States Colombia has
| been prevented from asserting her authori-
ty in Panama.
Outside of this armed intervention of
the United States there would be no case.
1t Is this fact, thus ignored, which raises
all the serious questions in this transaction.
Ii Panama had achieved her independence
without this direct aid from the United
States, there would be no difficulty pre-
sented as to what we should do.