The Savannah morning news., 1904-01-16
STILL ON PANAMA
SENATOR'S DISCUSS THE CANAL
QUESTION.
TELLER OFFERS CRITICISMS
OF THE COURSE FOLLOWED BY
THE PRESIDENT

Senator TilIman offered an ExpIa-
nation About His Remarks, Saying
He Had Been MisunderstOod-.In
ternatiOnnl Eminent Domain"
Was Under Fire From the Colo
RADIO SenatOr-Panama Government
UnrePubIican in Form.
Washington, Jan. 15.-To-d days ses-
sion of the Senate began with the pas
sage of a number of bills on the calen-
dar and closed in like manner. The
intervening time was given over to a
speech by Mr.. Teller on the Panama
canal question, which was devoted to
the contention that the course of the
President in connection with the recent
revolt of Panama had been contrary to
precedent and in contravention of in
ternational law.
In the course of his remarks, Mr..
Teller referred to Mr.. Tillman's char
acterization of the situation on the
isthmus, and the latter interrupted to
say that he had been misunderstood
and desired to explain. He said he had
meant to say that it would have been
preferable for the United States to tell
Colombia to get off the isthmus entire
ly Than for us to pursue there the
methods of the sneak thief and main
tain the attitude of a bully"
In response to a suggestion made by
Mr.. Teller, Mr.. Spooner interrupted to
say that by the treaty of 1876 Colom-
bia was bound to maintain the per-
petual right of the United States to
passage across the isthmus, and he
argued that that right remains, even
though Colombia does not stand be-
hind it.
Mr.. Teller asked for an opinion from
the Wisconsin senator concerning "the
new theory of international eminent
| domain" and the latter replied that
''he had not yet been able to give his
assent to that doctrine" That doc
trine, as he understood it, meant that
when weak nation had what a strong
| nation needed the latter might take
it by means of arms if necessary. Yet
it must be remembered that right of
way of one landowner over land
owned by another person is a right
IeCOSilLeu by the WOIlu. II, he SAID,
there is a doctrine of the private way
| of necessity, are~we to- say there is
| not an International way of necessity
where the interest of the world is
| concerned?"
Mr.. Spooner continued his state
ment, saying that he was willing to
| confess that he had not reached a con-
| clusion in his own mind. Il am not
willing to concede the right of inter-
national eminent DOMAIN, but 1 can't
| find it in my heart to deny it,"
Mr.. Teller took issue with the Pres
| idents declaration that the course
| pursued in Panama had been in the
| interest of collective civilization.
That, he said, was a dangerous doc
trine, and was just such a doctrine as
Russia might appeal to if she should
attempt to crush Japan. The doctrine
was not American; it was contrary tC
all the best traditions of this country
1t was the doctrine that might makes
right.
He discussed the government OF
Panama declaring it to be unrepubli-
can in form, and was interrupted by
Mr.. Spooner, who said that it had
been a "mooted question as to whether
there is "A republican form of govern
ment in Colorado"
If" responded Mr. Teller, there is
not republican form of government
in Colorado, there is a Republican ad-
| ministration there"
The Senate adjourned until Monday