The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-28
SENATORS ASKED
TO VOTE FOR TREATY
RESOLUTION WAS PASSED
BY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AFT
Err MUCH DISCUSSION.

Embodied. but His Motion Was
Lost-ResOlutiOn That Passed In
troduced by Capt. Henry Blum.
Supported by Mr.. J. Randolph An
derson and Mai. j. Ferris Cam.
Resolution Sent Senators.
The Chamber of Commerce adopted a
resolution yesterday requesting the
United States senators from Georgia
to vote for the ratification of the Pan
anna canal treaty. The sentiment of
the meeting was. as a whole, favorable
TO the canal but some of the members
thought the senators should not be
asked TO vote for the treaty uncondi-
tionally, and so they voted against the
measure which was finally adopted.
President j. H. Estill presided.
Capt Henry Bluns resolution was
as follows:
"Whereas the treaty between the
governments of the United States and
the Republic of Panama is soon TO be
called by the United States Senate for
ratification or rejection, and
Whereas, the people of the United
States are greatly interested in the
early building of the canal across the
isthmus OF Panama, be it
Resolved, that this Chamber of
Commerce, in view of the importance
of this work. affecting as it does, the
worlds commerce. deems it proper to
request the honorable senators from
Georgia to give their aid in the ratiica-
ton of the treaty"
The opposition to this unconditional
Endorsement was led by Mr.. P. A.
Stovall, who offered as a substitute for
Capt. Bluns resolution, the following:
Resolved, that the Chamber of
Commerce favors the construction of
the Panama canal, and recommends
that the United States senators from
Georgia vote for the ratification of the
convention with Panama if, in their
Judgment this treaty is in accordance
with the principles of international di-
plomacy and American honor"
Mr. J Randolph Anderson promptly
offered as an amendment to the sub
stitute that the latter part of it, be-
ginning with IF in their judgment" be
stricken out. and stated that his OBJ
ject was to so emasculate the substi-
tute that il would be withdrawn and
leave only the resolution of Capt. Blum
TO be considered.
Both Measures Supported.
Mr.. Stovan, in behalf of his position,
said that he offered the substitute to
Capt BUNS resolution in no partisan
spirit but because he believed a pro-
viso should be included, since
straight-out request to the senators
\, &C in
He had noticed, he said. that both
Democrats and Republicans have ask
ed for further information on the Pan
ANA canal matter, and he felt that,
pending the result that this sought
for information might have on the as
pect of the case. the Chamber of Com
merce should not make so unqualified
request of the senators as was sug-
gested.
In a delicate matter such as this ca
nal question is, Mr.. Stovall continued,
where the most serious charges are
being made on the floor of the Senate
and the matter is being held up by
legislative session. it would be wrong
to bind the hands of Georgia's sena-
unqualified request to vote for the
treaty. Such a request should not be
made, he said. until all the informa-
ton and all the evidence in the case
is in; until the case is closed and they
can vote inteligently one way or an
other.
1t is a business question, he said,
but above business considerations is
a higher question:: Is it right or
wrong? Il am not here to say which
it is" Mr.. Stovall said, but 1t has
been said by senator's that the treaty
of 1916 which this country made with
Colombia assuring a permanent respect
EyzssI @ws -s...& -
ed by the sending of United ,ates
marines and. warships to the isthmus.
These have prevented Colombia from
asserting her authority over a rebel
lious state" The speaker closed by
saying that he was in favor of a canal
If it could be secured without violat-
ing the principles of comfy, interna-
tional diplomacy and American honor
Matter of Business.
Capt. Blum followed in support of
his resolution. Referring to the Cham
Der of Commerce, he said, that it is
business body and is considering
facts, not doubts; that the Panama
government is established in that it
is conducting the affairs of the coun-
try, and has received recognition from
all governments. We want the canal,
he continued. The question of get
ting it should not be made a political
issue for if Cleveland had been the
chief executive of the government when
the revolution occurred on the isthmus
he would have done as President Roose-
Welt did.
Capt. w. w. Gordon spoke in favor
of the Stovall substitute saying that
the facts in the case already brought
out have been such as to make the
senators hesitate to act in the matter
and that until further information be
given the Senate he considered il in
opportune to make such a request of
the Georgia senator's as the original
motion contemplated. Everything that
has come to light so far, he said has
been disgrace t. the government.
He suggested that it would be prefer
able to support the bill introduced by
Senator Morgan of Alabama, having
for its object the annexation of Pan
anna and the paying of such just claims
as may be made against it. It's only
question of time he said, when Pan
ANA will be annexed anyhow.
Roast for German.
Mr.. S. Krouskoff suggested that the
Blum resolution should be passed as
representing the views of this section
of the state. Mr.. ]. Randolph Ander-
son then took the floor in favor of the
resolution, and in the course of his talk
questioned the high principles that
some politicians claim actuate them in
their views of the canal question
The other speakers in discussing the
matter had referred to 'instructing'
the senators to vote for the treaty. Mr.
Anderson objected to the wording. He
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