The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-01-31
CAUCUS ON THE TREATY
  % Democrats are Divided on Question. THLMAN AND CLARKE SPAT
Arkansas Man JuStifieS the
 Course of Roosevelt.
Sentiment of the Minority is That Colombia Should Be Paid for
 Her Interest in the Canal Zone.
Advertiser Bureau. Colorado Building,


 Washington, Jan. 3.
 Senator Bacon's resolution providing for arbitration of the differences between the United States and Colombia in the Pan- anna Canal controversy was the subject discussed for three hours in the caucus of Democratic Senators this afternoon.
 The caucus finally adjourned without reaching an agreement as to the party at- titude on the resolution, although 1t was evident from the first that majority or the Senators were in favor of putting the Republicans on notice that untess such a measure was adopted by the Senate. the Democrats would vote against ratification of the treaty with the republic of Pan- anna. -.i
 The resolution. aims to have Colombia satisfied by payment in cash. The Re- publican attitude on the question of pay ing Colombia for a quit clstm deed to her interests in the canal gone was made known to the Senators in the caucus.
 The Republican Position.
 The Republicans, 1t is understood, i have already agreed to satisfy, Colombia in this manner, but they propose to have the ca nal treaty ratified before they make the deal public. They do not propose, # is said, to let the Democrats have any cred- it whatever in the canal project. With the treaty ratified, the Republican admin istration can proceed as to Colombia and then claim it was not done under pres sure from Democrats s+' A The Democrats, however, were the first to propose payment to Colombia, Senator Bacons resolution being the first public attempt mode towards an annicahle ad- justment of the differences between the two nations. Senator Hale introduced q substitute resolution which will be used as the vehicle by which the ten millions will be transferred to caIombia, ; but Sem ator Bacon got bis in first, : During the caucus this afternoon there was a lively passage at A9rsg petweep Senators Tillman and. Clarke of 'AFknn- sas. .--. -i.t. - TiIfdaasa made a hot speech against the treaty declaring that the whole canal deal was sat6fated with fraud from the begin ming to the end. His speech was bitter in the extreme, -4, h...t % tfsss Clarke made a speech which was eqlAl- ly raw on the opposite side of the ques- tion, sndlit was during his argument that the heated colloquS took plaoe.t The con troversy was ended, without blows, how ever although Tiliman looked daggers at the Arkansas statesman when the latter said Roosevelt was justified in his actions fin connection with the revolution in Panama. ---...-
 The Bacon Resolution.
 The Bacon resolution came before the caucus in the shape of a resolution pre- Eentcd by Senator Gorman. the caucus Chairman. This resolution seeks to ad- wise the President that 1t is the duty, of our. government to seek every possible erort to reconcile the differences between Panama and Colombia. and to bring about the ratification of this treaty with the good will of both Panama and Colombia Sei dtor German asked the Democrats to put the Republicans on notice that this must be done before the treaty would rec ceivc tho votes of the Democrats in the Senate While a clear ma jority' of the Sena- ITS present favored this move. many wanted it adopted by the caucus and pre- sented to the Senate without the ultima tum corc erning the Democratic vote.
 During the three hours talk 1t was again clearly developed that thirty-ons Senators would not be secured under any circumstances to vote against the treaty, This is the number required to beat it All of the Democrats agreed in the eau GUS if they could get the German resolu- ton adopted !n the Senate they would vote for the ratification of the treaty.
 R. II. Watkins.