New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-24
GORNAN'S EFFORTS FAIL
NO DEMOCRATIC UNITY.
Seperat Yin Vote for Panama
Treaty-ResoIution of Inquiry,
rrroM TIE TRIBUNE RrREAu. J

Washington Jan. 23.-That the Democrats OF
.be Senate have eagerly grasped the opportunity
Intimately to abandon their opposition TO the
Panama Canal project was indicated by their
caucus action to-day. Several Senators who
we're present at the conference expressed the
opinion that while debate may be prolonged be-
cause Of the decision reached. the effect IN the
end will be 70 insure the ratification Of the
treaty This information from trustworthy
Democratic sources verifes the predictions made
;r these dispatches at the inception OF the
saglt on the Republican position. and clears the
WAY for the final disposition Of the matter at
oon7rarattyely early date.
Tr the four hours conference every phase OF
the situation was thoroughly discussed, with
the net result Of a decision support a resolu-
ton Of inquiry calling on the President for all
official inforna ton relative 10 isthmian cana!
negotiations between this government and any
ether government or person in the last three
years.
Senator German announced at the conclusion
If the caucus that the opinion seemed to prevail
suorg Democratic Senators that for some rea-
SON accidental or otherwise, all Of the corre-
spondence had not been made public. 1t is
understood that he contended that his resolu-
ton Of inquiry adopted by the Senate yesterday
would provide the necessary information; but
Senators Culberson. Of Texas: Carmack Of Ten
LeSSee,
curry pending. thought further demands should
be made. 1t is not probable that there will be
any opposition 10 the adoption Of this resolution
by the Senate. and the Indignation requested
will be promptly transmitted to that body by
the President. It is believed not only by the
friends Of the canal. but the majority Of the OPP
position as We'll. that the Presidents statement.
TO the effect that no information has been with
held is correct. and for that reason this action
Of the caucus is regarded as merely play for
time The Democrats IT may he said. have no
expectation of finding in the mass Of documents
anything TO support the contention that this
government was a party TO the Panama revolu-
ton or that persons in this country instgated
the revolt Failing in this, after a careful eX-
animation Of the correspondence the Democrats
will be enabled TO retire gracefully from their
position Of opposition to the canal and vote for
the ratification of the treaty. on the ground that
the honor Of the government has not been in
volved.
All attempts TO adopt binding caucus rule
70 govern the final vote on the treaty evidently
proved unavailing. indicating the usual absence
Of Democratic unity. The trend Of the discus
sion in the direction OF making it easy ulti-
mately TO vote for the canal after the fact has
been brought out that proceedings heretofore
were regular and involved this government in
blame.
THE CAUCUS PROCEEDINGS.
There were a number of speeches. but they re-
lated mainly to the phraseology Of the resolu-
tions There was. however more or less refer
ence 10 the merits Of the canal treaty, and sew
eral Senators expressed themselves as anxious
20 secure the canal Some went so far as to
gay that they would vote for the treaty but all
condemned the methods OF the administration
9rsconnection with the Panama uprising. Sena-
&oF Money was among those who announced
themselves for the treaty. Senator Clay and
others EXPRESSED themselves as DESTROYS that
IN enlicable arrangement be secured with Co
4prnbia. and hope expressed that the gov
Fgpmeut OF the United States would its way
s1ear 70 accept the proposition said to have
been made by General Reyes that the United
States should pay Colombia S10.OO0.OO0. Among
those who spoke IN opposition to the treaty were
Grnst0rs Bailey. Morgan and Tillnan. There
was no effort TO secure a rule for united action
on the treaty, and the general opinion among
Senators IS that there VIII be such effort.
= At the close OF the caucus Senator German,
Che chairman. announced that they had agreed
on a resolution asking Cor all the correspondence
between the United States and Colombia since
the negotiation OF the Hay-Herran treaty and
covering the period Of the Panama revolt. The
resolution will be presented Monday. The
conference also decided a resolution direct
fnE the Committee on Foreign Relations 10 make
an inquiry into the Panama revolution.
The resolution Of inquiry is so worded as 10
call for a statement from the President as 10
whether all the papers bearing the situation
have been sent in. and If they have not been
communicated. and the reason for failure "a
communicate them is due to the fact that the
President believes that to make them public
would be ncOmpe tible with the public welfare
then the President is requested TO send them "a
the Senate in confidence 10 be used in execu-
tive session only.