The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1904-01-08
UP TO CONGRESS
PRESIDENT HANDS OVER THE
CANAL QUESTION TO THE
LAWMAKERS.
SENDS IN A SPECIAL MESSAGE
DETAILS VARIOUS STEPS IN RE.
CENT ISTHMiAN DEVEL-
CPMENT8.
ONLY OLE QUESTION 70 SETTLE
whether OR NOT A CANAL
SHALL BE BUlLT--REcoGNl.
TON ACCOMPLISHED.
only GE QUESTION 70 SETTLE

cess was devoted entirely to Panama.
President Roosevelt sent to the sem
ate a message on the subject which
was received with great interest.
Discussion continued throughout the
day, speeches being made both in de-
Tense Of and ia opposition to the policy
that has been pursued.
Mr.. McComas defended the presi-
dent and asserted that his action
would stand If tried in court. He
maintained that even without recogni-
ton the new republic OF Panama
would have been established and main
tanned indefinitely.
Mr.. Stewart of Nevada severely crit
icised the Bogota government for its
selfish action in preventing construc-
ton of the canal.
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama stated his
desire for the Nicaraguan route and
maintained that the present course OF
the administration was breaking down
the established presidents of the Unit
ed States as regards neutrality. He
said the president now desired the as
sistance Of three Democratic senators
to MAINTAIN his policy.
The Rev. DR.. Everett Hale, the new
ly elected chaplain OF the senate, Of
iciated for the first time.
The Presidents Message.
The following ia a brief resume OF
the message:
The president declares that the act,
providing that negotiations with Mica
ragua be commenced IL arrangements
with Colombia cannot be concluded
within a reasonable time, has been
complied with; that control of a strip
across Panama has been obtained,
and that it is no longer possible to
take the Nicaraguan route Is an al
tentative.
The United States has assumed re-
sponsibilities to it's own people and the
civilized world which ~imperatiyely de-
msnded that there should no longer be
delay in beginning the work.
The Hay-Herran treaty, If it erred at
ell, erred In the direction of an over
generosity toward the Colombian gov
eminent. but Notwithstanding this fact
the Colombian government rejected
the treaty in the hope that 1t eventu-
ally would come into possession Of the
canal company's rights and property
and thereby c the SAC, 200, 900
that was to be paid to the canal com
pany.
Such a move would certainly involve
the United States in trouble with
France, and it ssuarely raised the
question whether Colombia was en-
titled to bar the transit Of the Worlds
traffic across the isthmua.
The president declares that cit
needs no argument to show that the
intent Of congress was to insure a
canal across Panama, and that wheth-
er the republic granting the title
was called New Granada. Colombia or
Panama mattered not one whit" and
as events turned out the question OF
reasonable time" did not enter into
the matter at all.
The president says that after Colon
bia rejected the treaty there was a
possibility that
Panama Would Break Away
from Colombia, and this is what oc-
CURED. Press kilograms are repro
duced, showing that the imminence OF
a revolution was a matter Of common
notoriety.
Steps taken by the United States to
protect American. citizens and pro-
erty and insure free transit across the
isthmus are given In detail, and, the
president says, ut thus clearly ap-
pears that the fact that there was no
bloodshed on the isthmus was directly
due-and only due to the prompt and
firm enforcement by the United States
of its traditional policy"
1t is declared with emphasis that no
one connected with the Washington
government had any part in preparing.
melting or encouraging the revolution,
but that it was the result of the unan-
imous action Of the people OF the 18TH
mus.
The exception to the rule in recog-
nizing new republics was made, first.
our treaty rights; second, our national
interests and safety; and, third, the
interests OF collective civilization"
Two of the closing paragraphs of
the message are as follows:
Meantime, the only question now
before us is hat of the ratification of
the treaty. For it is to be remembered
that a failure to ratify the treaty will
not undo what has been done, will not
restore Panama to Colombia. and will
not alter our obligation to keep the
transit open across the isthmus, and
to prevent any outside power from
menacing this transit"
I'm conclusion, let me repeat that
the question actually before this gov
ernment is not that of the recognition
Of Panama as an Independent republic.
That is already an accomplished fact.