The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-13
SENATORS SPEND FIVE
HOURS IN DISCUSSING
THE |STHM|AN QUESTION
Mr.. Bacon Arouses Friends of the
Administration with Rad
ical Resolution.
TREATY WITH COLOMBIA
Looking to Arbitration of It's
Claims Is Proposed by the
Georgia Statesman.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12.-FOr almost five
hours to-day the Senate debated the Pan
anna question. and II was still under con-
sideration when the Senate adjourned. The
discussion arose over a resolution looking
10 the arbitration Of Colombia claims on
account of the Panama revolution. 1t was
introduced early in the day by Mr.. Bacon,
and was met promptly by motion on the
part of Mr.. Lodge 20 table II. This motion
aroused the feeling OF senators on the Dem
ocratic side, who construed the motion as
intended TO cut off debate. and said they
would debate the Panama question on some
other resolution IL not on this. Finally
Mr.. Lodge consented TO withhold his mo-
ton, and discussion proceeded throughout
the day with the understanding that II
should be renewed again tomorrow. The
resolution follows:
Resolved by the Senate. That the Presi-
dent be respectfully informed that the
Senate favors and advises the negotiation
with a view TO its ratification of treaty
with the republic of Colombia TO the end
that there may be peacefully and salts
factorily determined and adjusted all differ
ences between the United States and the
republic or Colombia growing out Of the
recent revolution in Panama and the con-
sequent secession of Panama from Colon
bia and the alleged aid and assistance by
the land and naval power OF the United
States in the successful accomplishment OF
said revolution and secession. through the
alleged and forcibe prevention by said
land and naval forces OF the assertion and
maintenance 10y Colombia of her sover-
eighty and authority I'm Panama; and that
full and free compensation may be made
by the United States to the republic OF
Colombia for the loss Of her sovereignty
and property rights in Panama. so far as
the same may be shown TO be due to any
act or the United States through the land
or naval forces OF the same.
Resolved further, That the President be
respectfully Informed that IL IL should
prove TO be impractlcabe for the United
States and the republic of Colombia &C
agree through a convention upon the ques-
ton or the said alleged responsibility or
the part of the United States or upor
the question OF the amount of compen-
sation 10 be made when such responsibility
shall be established, the Senate I'm that
case favor and advise the negotiation, with
view TO Its ratification of a treaty with
the republic OF Colombia submitting 10 the
permanent court of arbitration at The
Hague OF some other tribunal TO be agreed
upon, for impartial arbtrament and peace
full determination all questions between
the United states and the republic of Co
lOmbia growing out or the matters hereiT
recited."
Republican senators. in their speeches, re-
ferred TO the resolution as a confession OF
wrong on the part of the United States
and expressed the opinion that any agita
ton of the question at this time would
give undue encouragement TO the people oil
Colombia and misrepresent the attitude OF
this country. Mr.. Bacon disavowed any
such intention and said that he accepted
the resolution as an accomplished fact.
ready response TO this pTonouncemeIt cam,
from Mr.. Hale, and during the course Of
the debate he and Mr.. Bacon practically
agreed on a declaration which Mr.. Hale
intimated that he would offer tomorrow II
the Senate. Other Republican senators In
dicated an unwillingness to accept any
mi n al n Will
executive negotiations, while the Demo
cratic senators also intimated objections oil
other grounds
The speakers of the day were Senator
Bacon, Spooner. Teller. Carmack, Lodge
Aldrich, Platt, OF Connecticut, Hale, For
aker and Cullom.
Abiding to the Bacon resolution, MI
/ Spooner said ii could not overturn the new
/ government, but IL would encourage hop
in Colombia that ultimately must be over
| turned. He expressed surprise that sena
| tors should predict war at time so crit
/ zeal. Such utterances were very dangerous
| and If there was not war between tn
| United States and Colombia IL would not b
| the fault OF some gentlemen here at home
| He considered that the troops of the Unite
| States were where they ought TO be, an
| where they should have been even If ther
had been no treaty. He regarded the resO
/ luton as not only useless, but dangerous
| He did not think the administration shoul
/ be judged by what has been written, bu
/ By what has been done. That which ha
Il DtSn uone ndu Deen WITHIN IN
rights of the United States, even thong
/ there had been no treaty, because tn
/ United States did not he said, intend tina
the line of the Panama Railroad should b
made the theater of war. 1t was the dut
| OF the government of Colombia under he
| guarantee 10 have foreseen and prepare
| against insurrecton. But when Colombo
/ failed IL was the duty of the United State
| TO protect the transit.
within fifty miles?" asked Mr.. Daniel.
II would not have put that expression 4
/ the cablegram," he said, referring TO AS
sistant Secretary OF the Navy Darling
message ordering the protection OF tn
/ isthmus. But II is there, and there
some sense in IL, too He then proceede
TO say that the message had not been re
ceived for three days by the naval com
mander TO whom IL was addressed. III
said II Commander Hubbard, who was
command OF the Nashville. had not don
! what he did do he would have deserved I
be cashiered. God knows" he said. 81
| ever there were n people entitled to proteC
| ton from neglect. extortion and tyrann
they were the Panamanians, II that is III
| right word"
"Panamaniacs," suggested Mr.. Morgan.
Mr.. Spooner took the cue and declare
| that they were not maniacs. but people am
! bilious To be entitled TO be free.