New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-16
PANAMA IN THE SENATE.
Spooner and TitIman Haze another
Lively CoIIoquy.

WASHINGTON Jan. l5.-After the passage Oh .
number OF minor measures to-day, the German
Panama resolution was laid before the Senate. Mr.
German offered a number OF amendments strlAins
out the word Intervention" wherever IT appears
thus modifying the resolution so as TO make an
inquiry Of the President concerning the use Oh
American military forces in the Istnraus Oh ram
anna.
Mr.. Cullom in view OF the amendments withale"
his motion refer the resolution to the Comintteo
on Foreign Relations, and said he was WILING 10
have a vote on It..
MT Lodge. however. asked to have the resolu-
ton. as amended. printed. and lie over for an
other day. and that order was made.
Mr. Teller then spoke on the Panama question:
saying he believed It should be treated from non
partisan point of view. He thought. however. tha'
whenever the President transcribed his duty the
fact should be pointed out In the present instance
he did not doubt the good intentions OF the Presa-
dent but he distrusted Of his wisdom IN what ne
had done. His objection was not. he SAID based
on any fear OF war with Colombia, because CO.
lombia had shown that she was too wise to enter
into conflict of arms with the United States. He
had complaint TO make against Panama, for ne
thought the people OF that country had the right
10 revolt Indeed he thought If he had lived in
Panama he would have been rebel himself This
right of the Panamans did not, however alter the
duty of the United States remain neutral He
asserted that a State coming into existence by
secession should be recognized only when 1t had
established its capacity maintain It's indepen-
dence. There should be no interference so long as
there likelihood of the success Of the parent
State. This rule Mr.. Teller declared had not been
mot in Panama.
Mr.. Platt of Connecticut asked whether under
any circumstances the United States had a right
to protect transit across the isthmus. but Mr..
Teller declared that the question was academic and
said he would not argue the case on that general
ground. He was willing to discuss the right 10
interfere the President had done. and
ready to contend that his interference was in con-
travention of international law.
When Mr.. Teller referred to Mr.. Tfllnaans char
acterization Of the situation the isthnlus. the
latter interrupted to say that he had been mis-
understood and desired to explain. He meant to
say that il would have been preferable for the
United States tell Colombia get of the 18TH
mus entirely than for US TO pursue there the
methods of the sneak thief and maintain the atti-
tude of a bully"
In response to suggestion made by Mr.. Teller.
Mr.. Spooner interrupted to say that by the treaty
of 1876 Colombia bound to maintain the per-
petual right OF the United States passage
the isthmus and he argued that that right
mains. even though Colombia does not stand be-
-Mr Teller admitted that any right the. United
Panama, If Panama was an established power. He
then asked for an opinion from Nh; spooner con.
domaih.' ana the latter fepied that ne had not
which as he understood it, meant that when
weak nation had what a strong nation needed
sary. Yet il must be rememberedl that right, OF
nTso 81 e re recoenZed Nv S o 4
ne said there is doctrine of the private way OF
necessity, to say that there Is not inter-
national way OF necessity where the interest OF the
world is concerned?'
There Interruptions this point causing
Mr.. Tilman to remark that 1T takes great
many doctors to bring about the birth of this
baby
'Tll try TO take care of my own baby" respond
ed 1Ir. Spooner. land when can't do that will
ask some member of my own family 10 do So
The colioquy caused general outburst Of laugh
ter. After it had subsidized Mr.. Spooner continued
his statement. saying he was willing to confess
that his had not reached a conclusion in his own
mind. 81 not willing to concede the right OF
interns tional eminent domain, but I can't find IL
in my heart TO deny it, he said.
Mr. Teller took issue with the Presidents dec
laration that the course pursued in Panama had
been in the interest Of collective civilization"
That he said dangerous doctrine and was
Just such a doctrine Russia might appeal TO II
She should attempt crush Japan. The doctrine
was not American: # contrary to all the best
traditions of this country II the doctrine thar
might makes right He discussed the government
of Panama declaring ii be unrepublican IN
form and interrupted by Mr.. Spooner who
said that IL had been a 'mooted question to
whether there is a republican form OF government
in Colorado
'Tf' responded Mr.. Teller there is not a re-
publican form of government In Colorado. there Is
a Republican administration there
When Mr.. Teller ceased speaking. the Senate
passed large number of private pension bills and
adjourned until Monday.