The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-01-15
DEP[W DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT Says ROOseVsIPs Panama Action
 Was Patriotic OPPOSED BY MR. NEWLANOS Nevada Senator Claims Such an Out rage Would Never Have Been
 comimtted on England or
 Russia or Germany.


 lands and MT. Depew on the Panama canal question, and to speech by MT. Latimer in advocacy of the adoption of a plan for the improvement of the public wagon roads of the country. MT. New lands declares that the course of the president in Panama was an act of war, and in contravention alike of the treaty of 1S46, of international law and of the constitution of the United States. MT. De- pew praised the presidents policy as pa- triotic and justified by precedent and law. The consideration of the postoffce inves- tigation resolution was postponed until Monday.
 Immediately after the senate was called to order Mir Pettus from the committee on military affairs reported the bill ex- tending till 1906. the time for the settle ment of claims of states for the equip ment of troops for the Spanish-American war. The bill passed.
 At the request of MT. Hale the consid- eraton of resolutions touching the post office department was postponed until Monday morning next when they are to be taken up immediately after the routine morning business. postponement was made in order to permit the further dis cussion of other questions during the mainder of the present week.
 Talked of Good Roads.
 In accordance with his previous notice, MT. Lattimer, South Carolina, discussed the subject of good roads. He based his remarks on his own bill providing a plan of competition between the national government and the various states for the improvement of pub..c roads. He said that about one-third of our people living in country districts bear the responsibil- ity and cost of maintaining the common roads,
 He contended that this is an unjust dis crimination against them, and urged that the national government should bear part of the burden.
 When MT. Lattimer concluded the Cor man Panama resolution was laid before the senate and MT. Newlands was recog- nized. He conceded that the President had not been bound because a reasonable 1 time had not elasped to turn from Pan anna to the Nicaragua route. He also as- sented to the proposition that the United States had a grievance against Colombia on account of the rejection of the Hay Heran treaty. But he contended that the action of the United States in preventing the landing of Colombian troops in Pan- anna, was an intervention that amounted to declaration of war. He said our deal- ing with Colombia in the Panama affair had been in derogaton of the treaty of 1S46 between the United States and New Grenada. He discussed at length the pro- visions Of that treaty and engaged in a controversy with MT. Spooner as to the guaranty of right of transit. Did Not Authorize Landing of Troops. MT. Newlands contended that this guar antee did not go to the extent of author izing the country to land troops for the purpose of attacking Colombias sover- eighty. If there had been cause for griev- ances the question should under the terms of the treaty, have been diplomati- cally presented and satisfaction asked, and then, and not until then, might there have been a resort to war
 He said in response to MT. Spooner that the only reason American troops had not landed In Panama previous to that coun- ! try'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 direct ing him to land
 MT. Newlands also complained that the President had prematurely recognized Panama. The established methods of diplomacy were ignored and immediate and prompt armed intervention and display of force were made. without com plying with the formal procedure required by international law.
 May Not Restore Status. MT. Newlands said it was doubtful whether the status which existed before the war could be restored A new govern ment had been created by the violent acts of the United States government It would be difficult to undo what had been done ] to compel again the surrender of the sth- | and her to ba 1f } Colombia involving possibly the punish } ment of her people for offenses of which the United States government was itself guilty, but the honor of the United States demands prompt dsavowal by the congress of the United States whose con- stitutional prerogative had been invaded of the lawless and unconstitutional acts of the chief executive.'
 MT. Newlands added:
 Had these outrages been committed by the executive upon a great power like England or Russia Germany, congress would promptly disavow them, and shall the impotence of Colombia disqualify her from receiving satisfaction for injury in- ficted on her by the unauthorized and un- constitutional action of this countrys chief executive?"
 MT. Depew spoke Tn support of the ad- ministration in its conduct on the isthmus of Panama and said that the opponents of the treaty are aiding the enemies of the canal. If he continued, "there ever had been a concert of action among any great railway corporations to defeat this most beneficient work of commerce and civilization. I am not aware of it: but if such combination does exist, then it's al- lies and it's most efficient assistants are to be found among those who und,r any device or excuse are endeavoring to defeat the treaty with the republic of Panama" We Are Commercial Nation.
 "We are" he said, "a commercial na- ton. Our people are trained to all the re- fnements of business obligation and all the reciprocal relations of contracts , Much as we want the canal we never could have taken 1t by becoming a part ner in this highway robbery of the prop erty of the citizens of France" ] MT. Depew controverted the argument that the position of the United States in recognizing the republic of Panama was reversal of our position on the subject. After reviewing our diplomatic history . the recognition of Panama, Mir. Depew said:
 "In the providence of creation and de- cay of nations, state ever became fn- dependent so completely, so righteously or so timely as Panama. The hour struck for her when the world was watching the clock. No President ever did more time ly or patriotic act than did President