The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-01-05
He Says Nicaragua VIII Yet
Be Canal Route Because
Of Its Feasibility
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
READ TO The SENATE
The Panama Question Consumed the
Entire Time of the Senate's Open
Ing Day-chaplain Edward
Everett Hale Offers Prayer.

Washington January 4-The senate's
first session following the holiday recess
was devoted entirely to Panama. Pres
ident Roosevelt sent message on the
subject which was received with great
interest. Discussion continued through
out the day, speeches being made both
in defense of and against the policy which
has been pursued.
Mr.. MeComas defended the president
and asserted that his action would stand
If tried in court. He maintained that
even without recognition the new repub-
lie of Panama would have been estab-
nshed and maintained indefinitely.
Mr.. Steward of Nevada severely cI1ti-
cised the Bogota government for its sell
fish action in preventing the construc-
tion of the canal
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama stated his pre-
ference for the Nicaragua route, and
maintained that the present course of the
administration was breaking down the
established policy of the United States
regarding neutrality. He said the Pres
ident now desired the assistance of three
democratic senators to maintain his pol
icy.
Prayer by Edward Everett Hale.
The Rev. Edward Everett Hale, the
newly elected chaplain of the senate, clad
in black silk clerical robes occupied the
chair of the presiding officer just pre-
ceding the session, and on the body being
called to order, offered a stirring invoca-
tion. His prayer was for the wisdom of
Heaven in the affairs of the government
He referred briefly to the Chicago dis
aster and asked blessing on the stricken
city. Torehingly. also he alluded to the
death of the wife of Senator Hoar of
Massachusetts. His invocation was pre-
ceeded by a short scriptural lesson, and
concluded with the Lords prayer.
At the conclusion of the prayer Mr.
Lodge gave notice that he would address
the senate on the Panama question to-
morrow.
At 1870 a message from President
Roosevelt was received by the senate and
its reading begun (The full text of the
Presidents message will be found on page
-
The reading of the message was COM
pleted at AS.
Upon the pending resolution of Mr..
Morgan, declaring that Neither the
President and the senate, as treaty
making power, of the United States, has
the lawful right to wage or declare war
against any foreign power without the
censent of congress when such count
try Is at peace with the United States"
Mr.. McComas, Maryland, began a dis
cussion of the isthmian situation He
characterized the Presidents message as
a clearly cogent and apunoantly con-
vincing presentation of the situation"
Mr.. Morgan interrupted with question
to bring out the point, as he held that the
recognition of the new republic was SIM
ply de facto."
Recognition Was Official.
Mr.. McComas held otherwise, maintain
ing that the recognition was OFFICIAL
and would be held so by the courts.
Mr.. Cuberson questioned the right of
the executive to make such a recognition,
but Mr.. McComas maintained positively
that the executive had such authority,
and he could bring to the attention of the
senate two instances in which the power
had been exercised.
Mr.. Tillman wanted the instances cited,
and Mr.. McComas promised later to pre-
sent them.
Tillman, whether the senator contends
that the executive. without instruction
of the congress, can employ the army and
navy to defend his executive action by
warning away and preventing Colombia
om asserting her supremacy, anywhere,
,cept on the Panama railroads"
In answer. Mr. McComas referred Mr..
illman to the closing statements of the
| residents message He said the exc
e1tive had not only had the right, but
the executive right to take the action he
had. He again referred to two similar in
stances, and said that while both result
ed in wars, they were wars which public
sentiment endorsed.
Mr. Bacon inquired how long the new
republic would last should the sustaining
power of the United States be with
drawn?
For many years." replied Mr. McCo-
mas He added that but for the restrain
ing power of the United States, the inde-
pendence of Panama would have been
established long ago.
"Wil1 the senator state the respective
populations of Panama and Colombia
asked Mr. Bacon.
Panama has about 100000. and Colombia
4500,000," was the reply.
"And vet the senator thinks the 100000
could maintain themselves against the
four and half Million" again interjecteG
Mr.. Bacon.
such things were frequent events in
history" was the reply.
Addressed Himself to Democratic Side.
Mr.. McComas addressing himself to the
democratic side of the chamber, declared
that some excellent men have made
political blunder, and have mistaken their
partisanship for moral sense. He would
not say he added, this opposition was
unpatriotic, but 1t was perversely and per-
slstently wrong. The Presidents Panama
canal record he said would elect him in
November and result in the construction
of the canal.
Mr.. Stewart followed with an indorse-
ment of the administration on the Pana-
ma question, although he said he had for
merly been in favor of the Nicaragua
route Mr.. Stewart declared that the
object Of Colombia was to delay matters
until the expiration of the French canal
concession and charge the United States
no 100000 for the concession.
1T is time.' he added, I'VE should begin
10 treat them ACCORDING to their true