Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-02
FAIRBANKS SPEAKS
Discusses Panama's Revolt
Against Colombia.
ALLEGED COMPLETELY
DECLARES THE SKIRTS OF THIS
GOVERNMENT ARE CLEAN.
The Causes That Led to the Revolu-
ton Upon the Isthmus-Con-
illusions Established.
ALLEGED COMPLETELY

tempore by Chaplain Hale. DR.. Hale was
clad In the usual clerical robes worn by
him, and he opened the service with brief
scriptural quotation. which was followed by
Rabbi Phiiipson's prayer. The rabbi spoke
OF this country as 1.-The promised land, the
new Canaan, the exemplar Of justice. the
protector of the weak, the foe Of upright
eousness, the sanctuary Of liberty. the
haven of peace The service was conclud-
ed with the Lords Prayer by DR.. Hale.
The business proceedings of the day were
begun by adopting a resolution, introduced
by Mr.. Hoar, permitting the committee APP
pointed TO investigate the charges against
Senator Dietrich to employ a clerk, to send
for witnesses and to take other steps neces-
sary to carry out the orders of the Senate.
The Bacon resolution looking to the arbi-
tration of the claims of Colombia against
the United States on account of the Panama
revolt was laid before the Senate. and Mr..
Fairbanks was recognized to speak.
The Revolt in Panama.
Mr.. Fairbanks remarks were devoted
largely to a discussion Of the question
whether the United States was in compile
ity with Panama in the revolt Of last No
vember. He spoke of the Importance of
showing this charge to be without founda-
ton. saying:
w nile we greatly OeSlT6 an IHteToCediAC
canal, we are far more anxious that 1t
shall be constructed without any faint
whatever of national discredit."
He conceded, however, that the record
made by the government must supply con-
elusive proof on one side or the other OF
the controversy. by it, and by it alone
he said, 1.-The administration must be
Judged" adding that for himself he would
accept "the record as it has been made by
the executive department and submitted to
ho 10 mi
something more conclusive than vague sus-
picion, unsupported assertion and wild con-
lecture. We must proceed upon the as
sumption that the executive department,
within it's constitutional prerogattves, Is
actuated by proper motives. and that it Is
as regardful of the good name of the coun-
try as either the legislative or the Judicial
departments. Who shall determine
what steps should be taken to make secure
peace and protect our people from harm
upon the line of transit across the fsthmus.
A determined revolution was at hand under
circumstances dissimilar to any that had
preceded 1t. Bloodshed was apparently inn
mnent, and interruption to the highway
across the isthmus was among the reason
ably early probabilities. Manifestly the
duty devolved upon the chief executive to
take such steps as in his judgment were
necessary to preserve the lives Of Amerl-
cans and to maintain unbroken peace.
We are not left in uncertainty as to
what was done by the United States in con-
nection with the Panama revolt. for Secre-
tary Hay says emphat ically In his note to
Gen. Reyes, January 5, 1904:
Amy charge that this government, or
any responsible member of it, held inter-
course, whether official or unofficial, with
agents Of revolution in Colombia is utterly
without Justification. Equally so Is the in
situation that any action of this govern
ment, prior to the revolution in Panama.
was the result of completely with the plans
of the revolutionists. The department sees
a. tolls IL tlavvo
finally.
This Is complete refutatfon of the
charge that this government had any COM
plicity in the revolutionary movement. The
denial Of the Secretary of State without
question or doubt.
Conclusions Established.
Mr.. Fairbanks made the following sum-
mary of conclusions as established by the
record in the case of Panama:
The revolution by the people of Panama
was due to a long series of wrongs inflicted
upon them by the government at Bogota.
the Hay-Herran treaty.
The revolution was initiated by the people
Of Panama and was not inspired by the
United States.
1t was the duty of the President to adopt
such measures as he deemed necessary to
preserve the freedom of transit across the
fsthmus, and to protect the lives and prop
erty of American citizens and of citizens Of
other countries upon the line Of transit.
The independence of Panama was accom-
plished by the people OF the isthmus
There was no vessel or armed force Of the
United States at the city of Panama, and
only one vessel, the Nashville. third rate, at
Colon; only forty-two marines were landed
at Colon. They were landed to protect the
lives Of American citizens who were in
serious and imminent peril. and were re-
fr,rn od TO tho obi lol~
purpose.
The President recognized the fact that
Panama had secured her independence
three days after the revolution.
In recognizing the independence Of the
new republic the President acted solely
within his constitutional rights and in har-
mony with established precedent. The duty
Of recognition rested upon him. and having
United States.
The independence of the republic of PAN
anna was recognized by France and many
other powers soon after recognition by the
United States.
Within eight days after the first recogni-
tion of the new republic she signed a treaty
with the United States through her ac-
credited minister to Washington, granting
sions for an isthmian canal.
When the republic Of Panama concluded
the convention with the United States she
was in the exercise of sovereign power
She was discharging fully her domestic and
international functions, and had full capac-
ity to enter into a valid convention with
the United States.
Rights on the Isthmus.
Under the treaty Of 1916 the United States
obtained rights and incurred obligations in
Panama. She obtained the right of free
transit across the isthmus and the right to
preserve the freedom Of such transit. She
also guaranteed. In consideration On this
right and other privileges. the Sovereignty
of the government in Panama. BY the
transfer of sovereignty upon the isthmus
to the republic of Panama the obligation
to guarantee her sovereignty against for
eign aggression rests upon the United
States
If the new treaty with the republic Of
Panama Is ratified by the Senate the United
States will obtain adequate concessions
rights and privileges for the construction
and perpetual maintenance Of an isthmian
canal.
Mr.. Clarke Supports the President.
Mr.. Fairbanks was followed by Mr.
Clarke (Ark.). who made speech In sup
port of the treaty. Mr.. Clarke lost no time
in declaring his absolute adherence to the
policy of the President. The question Of the
wisdom of building an iSthmian canal Ia no