New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-13
LIVELY TINE In SENATE
PANAMA POLICY UP AGAIN
elimination of the German Attem pt
to Delay Canal.
IFRoN TIE TRIBUNE HrarAr.I


Washington, JAN 12.-The persistent ard svss
tematic efforts of certain Democratic senator,
to delay action the Panama treaty reached
an extreme to-day. which resulted in one of The
most spirited debates the Senate has indulgad
In for some time. What appeared to be the
elimination of the German policy toward the
canal came in the form of a resolution offered
by Senator Bacon. which proposed to urge upon
the President the negotiation of treaty with
Colombia providing for amicabIe settlement OF
the dispute regarding the revolution in. and the
recognition of. the Republic of Panama, fail
ing which. the President TO be requested to
negotiate treaty providing that the points AT
issue be referred TO the Hague Tribunal for set
tlement by arbitration
The continued determination of Senator Cor
man to delay the treaty. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the
evident unanimity of the people in their dssrs
for canal and their approval of the course OF
the administration has long been inexplica-
bic save by one hypothesis. and that the Re-
puhlicans have been loath to accept 1t has
been pointed out to the Democrats that their
course in delaying the treaty and critfcisng the
action of the administration in the
guarded terms a menace to peace between
the United States and Colombia. and the Phil
ippine debate. which resulted in the loss Of
many lives In those islands. has been held up
example of the danger incurred by the
opposition In it's reckless denunciation. but to
no effect.
Gradually the conclusion has forced itself
upon the Republicans that the policy Of the
Democratic leader contemplated. and even fa-
vored. rupture OF the present relations be-
tween Colombia and this country. with the hope
that such hostilities brief though they would
be. would place the administration in the posi-
ton of making war on nation much smaller
than this country. and thus reflect dscredit on
the President and his advisers The Bacon
resolution did much to strengthen that conelu-
sion among the Republican Senators. and. there
fore. called forth drastic criticism from Senators
Foraker, Lodge and Spooner. the Senator from
Massachusetts finally moving TO lay the reso-
luton on the table without reference TO COM
mittee
The argument Of the Republicans that the
Bacon resolution plainly implied blame
the part of the United States in it's relations
with Panama that it could not fail to have a
disastrous effect IL treated with the slightest
consideration by the Senate
The debate. which at times became almost
acrimonious. lasted throughout the day. but
apparently had the effect of proving 70 Mr..
Bacon who is at heart in favor of the Panama
treaty. the real purport OF his resolution. and
probably the extent to which he had been uti-
lized by the Democratic leader. II was late in
to defend his resolution. which by unanimous
consent had been permitted TO go over until
tomorrow without action. He then vehementIy
repudiated any desire 10 reflect the attitude
of the administration. and Senator Hale took
him in hand. With that pacific diplomacy OF
which the Senator from Maine is past master.
he met the Senator from Georgia more than
halfway. thereby eliminating all trace of bitter
from the 1ebate. Mr.. Hale then skifully
pointed out the implications and dangers of the
Bacon resolution and. gradually receding and
leading the Democratic Senator with him Sc
cured admission after admission. until the
Georgia Senator offered to accept substitute
for the resolution he had offered one TO be-
drafted by Senator Hale. merely urging the
President 70 his good offices to facilitate
peaceable understanding between the Republic
of Panama and the Republic of Colombia
Senator Bacon, led gently by the Maine
statesman, admitted the Panama revolution as
a accomplished fact. that nothing could be dons
to retrace the steps already taken, and. TO the
serious discontinue OF the radical wing OF his
party. practically promised the support OF him.
self and OF some of his colleagues to the Panama.
treaty. provided the adoption of such res0lu-
ton as indicated by Mr.. Hale was in sight Mr.
Hae'S performance mastery exhibition
of persuasive reasoning. and, with the dove OF
peace once more lowering over the chamber the
Senate adjourned