Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-01-15
Senator Depew on the 18TH
miaD situation.
RECOGNIZING PANAMA
CONTENDS THAT 1T WAS IN LINE
WITH OUR FORMER ACTS
Declares That No Blow for Freedom
Was Ever Struck More Righteously
Than That of the New Republic.

lowed Mr.. Newlands, who closed his re-
marks on the isthmian policy of the admin
istration after The Stars report Of the pro-
ceedings was ended.
Mr. Depew praised the Presidents policy
as patriotic. and justified It under prece-
dent and law. He reviewed the history of
Panama and detailed the facts connected
with the negotiation of the Hay-Herran
treaty, contending that Colombia had over
reached herself in her rejection of that
agreement
The consideration of the Post Office De-
partment investigation resolutions WAS
pos tponed until Monday.
Continuing his remarks, Mr.. Newlands
said that while the treaty of 1876 does not
call for the construction of a canal he
willing to admit that the spirit of it calls
for the building of the canal Even with
that construction, Colombia's refusal to al
low the building of the canal would not
have been cause for war or for the landing
of American troops in Panama at the time
of the recent insurrection. He said, In
Spouse to Mr.. Spooner, that the only reason
American troops had not landed in Pan
anna prior to that country's recognition
by the United States was found in the fact
that the commander of the Nashville had
failed to receive in time the order of this
government directing him TO land.
Mr.. NewlandS also complained of the ac-
ton of the President in what he declared
was the premature recognition of Panama.
The established methods OF diplomacy
were ignored, and immediate and prompt
armed Intervention and a display of force
were made without complying with the for
NAL procedure required by international
law.
Compensation in Some Form.
Mr. Newiands said it was doubtful
whether the status which existed before
the war could be restored A new govern
hal
of the United States government. 1t would
be difficult to undo what had been done.
1t would be difficult to compel again the
surrender of the isthmus and her people
to the sovereignty of Colombia involving
possibly the punishment of her people for
offenses of which the United States gov
eminent was itself guilty; but he insisted
that the honor of the United States de-
mands prompt disaveWal, by the Congress
of the United States whose constitutional
prerogatfve had been invaded of the law
less and unconstitutional acts of the chief
executive
Such disavowal would mean compensa-
ton in some form, either the restoration
of the thing taken, or damages for its TAX
ing, to be surrendered either by mutual
agreement through the form of treaty of
amty, or by reference to some tribunal of
arbitration, such as The Hague.
Had, ne added these outrages been
committed by The executive upon a great
power like England or Russia or Germany,
and. he asked, shall the impotence of Co.
lomba disqualify her from receiving salts
faction for injury inflicted on heE. by the
unauthorized and unconstitutional action of
this countrys chief executve?"
Mr.. Spooner congratulated Mr.. Newlands
upon what he denominated as espousal
of the doctrine of international eminent do
main in the last declaration of his speech in
the interest of collective civilization. 1t was,
he said. recognition of the right to cut a
way through the isthmus for the purpose of
wedding the two oceans, dependent only
upon the payment of damages.
Mr.. NewlandS said he was not prepared to
accept this definition of his own position
but said that he had only accepted the
Presidents position for the sake of argu-
ment.
Mr.. Spooner was not satisfied with this re-
ply. and said that whereas the Nevada sem
ator had originally emerged froiI; the chap
perall into the open, he had gone back
to the chapperall
MI. Depew Supports Administration.
Mr.. Depew spoke in support of the admin
istraton in its conduct the IsthInus of
Panama. After speaking of the Importance
of the canal Mr.. Depew said that the OPP
ponents of the treaty are aiding the enc
mics of the canal. IT, he continued,
there has ever been a concert of action
among any great railway corporations TO
defeat this most beneficent work of COM
merce and civilization, / am not aware OF
IL, IL SucH d COIlDlndUOn uOeS exist,
then its allies and its most efficient assist
ants are to be found among those who,
der any device or excuse, are endeayoring
TO defeat the treaty with the republic OF
Panama.
He then reviewed at some length previous
efforts to secure an isthmian canal and also
went into detail concerning the Hay
Herran treaty. declaring that Vice Presi-
dent Marroquin of Colombia had had the
Colombian congress in his power and had
dictated the course pursued by it, with the
end in view of securing better financial
terms from the United States at the expense
of the canal company. He charged Presi-
dent Marroquin with ignorance of the fact
that the United States has a-conscience.'
I'VE are" he said, "a commercial nation.
Our people are trained to all the refinements
of business obligations and all the recipro-
cal relations of contracts. Much as we want
the canal, we never could have taken il by
becoming partner in this highway rob-
berry of the property of the citizens of
France"
Mr.. Depew went at some length into CO.
lombian rule in Panama. He controverted
the argument that the position of the
United States in recognizing the republic
of Panama was reversal of national
position on the subject of secession.
Panama's Blow for Freedom.
After reviewing our diplomatic history in
the recognition of new countries, Mr.. Depew
said: I'm the providence of the creation OF
the decay of nations state ever became
independent completely, righteously
or so timely as Panama. The hour struck
for her when the world was watching the
clock. No President ever did more timely
or patriotic act than did President Roose-
welt in his recognition and defense of the
republic of Panama"
Mr.. Depew ridiculed the contention of Mr..
Newlands that the President had made
war on Colombia, and abiding to Mr.. New
lands residence outside the city of Washzr
lngton. said: This must be due to the lurid
imagination Of senators who instead of liv-
ing in the hot city reside In the rural out
skirts of the capital" He declared that in
his dependence upon the democracy of the
United States President Marroquin forgot
that that party was not in power In any
branch of government in this country, and
hat rkxo of ha states already had