The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-01-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON Jan, 4, 1904.
Regarding the Democratic oppo-
sition to the Panama canal treaty,
which continues to be the main
topic of conversation here, Sena-
tor Simmons, a Democrat from
North Carlina, says; eff the Demo-
cratic party be instrumental in
bringing about the defeat of the
treaty, the American people will
hold the party responsible therefor
and might soon forget the conduct
of the President. This is but
one of many expressions of opinion
by Democratic Senators, which
makes the Republicans certain
that the treaty will be ratified.
In renouncing their opposition to
the treaty, the minority Senators
have been described as deserving a
sinking ship, and politicians are
now asking what will be the effect
Of Senator Germans blunder in
starting his party on a course from
which they were turned by the in
struction of their State Legislature
or by the Democratic Governors
and their party press. The Mary
land Senator has led his party into
a mistake and has injured, if not
destroyed his chances of the Demo-
cratic nomination; at least such is
the general opinion here. 1t is
significant that Leader Murphy, of
Tammany Hall, whose motto is
success, and who judges men mere
| ly by their vote-getting ability,
has given out partial endorse
ment of William Randolph Hearst
as the next candidate, although
until recently the Tammany leader
was very friendly with Senator Cor
man. Representative Cooper, of
| Texas, who declared that German
is slick politician" but that this
reputation IS not popular with the
people, say that Hearst will get
the nomination and that German
will manage the campaign. 1t is
thought by many that Senator Cor
mans mistake on the canal ques-
ton will rob him even of his title
of slick politician" The next
Democratic caucus where the canal
question will be discussed promises
to be a stormy one, and may result
in Leader Germans practical down
fall.
| Senator Morgan will speak
against the canal and it is believed
that he will occupy much of the
Senate's time, but little of its atten-
ton. If the Democrats insist up
on delivering campaign speeches
in the Senate the Republican ma
ljority will have the treaty consid-
cred n executive session.
Events in the far East are receiv-
ing much attention from the Adj
ministration. The Chinese COM
mercial treaty has still 10 be ratif-
ed at Pekin by receiving the Impe-
rial Seal, and officers of the State
Department believe that Russia is
secretly opposing such ratification,
in order to prevent the opening of
the Manchurian ports of Antung
and Mukden to American trade.
The Russian fear that if America
acquires such an interest in Man.
churia,it will oppose its permanent
occupation by Russia, or perhaps
get involved in the Russian Japan
csc dispute. American Minister
Conger has received instructions
to urge prompt ratification of the
treaty, and our Government is, of
course, determined to prevent Rus
STA from successfully opposing it.
War between Russia and Japan is
regarded as certain and Rear Ad-
miral Evans has been ordered to
procede at once from Honolulu to
Chinese waters with the Asiatic
feet, which is under his command.
While it is thought that hostilities
may DE postponed for some time,
the Administration intends to have
a fleet on the scene in order to pro-
tect American interests.
Chances of war with Columbia