Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-01-22

| ma revolt and eulOgiZed the Executive
personally as brave and fearless.
During the morning Margan spoke
in explanation of his bill for the an
neXation of Panama to the United
States basing his argument on the
| ground that the pending canal treaty
practically contemplated that result
Immediately after the disposal Of the
routine morning business in the Senate.
today, Morgan called for the reading
of the bill introduced by him, yester-
| day, providing for the annexation OF
Panama to the United Statets, and al
so Of the resolution directing the Pres
ident to enter into treaties for the con-
SructiOn of Il canal via the Nicaraguan
| route. He then entered upon a formal
explanation of the two measures.
Continuing. Morgan said the differ
ences which the country has encount-
cred in Panama We're not of the coun-
try's seeking, but were due to the pre-
cipitancy OF the President of the Unit
ed States. 1t WAS, however, impossi-
bic to undo what had been done and he
cOntended that further proceedings
should be in accordance with legsla-
ton. In order to get rid of the cOnse-
qucnces Of our acts we must make, he
said, some equitable arrangement with
Panama, for il was not to he sup
posed that Colombia meant 10 submit
calmly. If. he argued, we are to build
Il canal in Panama, we must have the
good will of Colombia, for without it
the obstacles of disease and outlawry
will be infinitely increased
Morgan made an appeal to the news
papers to use their utmost endeavors
TO secure information concerning the
situation saying there was no eprobabil-
ity that any resolution would elicit new
information Fl ON the Executive depart
ment.
Morgan predicted that the President
would not be able to secure future APP
Dropriations. Indeed" he said. Il
don't believe that he wants appropria-
tons. |; is better FOR campaign pur
poses that legislation on canal ques-
ten should consist of promises only
He said that he had inserted IL his
bill the provision for the payment OF
$f3.CC0CG0 fOr the pacification o: CO.
ionibia because he had heard that the
President had entered into an agree
meHt OF that sum for that purpose.
lie had inserted this provision as vel.
Is others in the interest of neace and
GOOD will ana in the interest of q Pam
ANA canal and of all accrued rights.
1t W2s intended to meet the emergency
and he hoped that it would be so ac-
Cen-cd by all parties concerned.
When Morgan concluded, Platt,
Conn. continued the speech on the
German Panama resolution begun by
him. yesterday. He again took up the
argument that the action OF the United
States and other powers in recognizing
Panama is irrevocable and he drew the
Inference that the Senate must pro-
coed upon that theory.
Platt defended the President against
the charge of committing an act of
war o. even of Intervention, denying
that his acts in connection with the
Panama revolt amounted to either.
The charges that the President knew
of the revolution and had connived,
which ,,laced him in position he
ought not to be placed in, and in a po-
sition which it was necessary to deny,
said Platt. 1t amounted to a national
discharge that such charges were
made. Tho President was man who
'ii'i NiIoti lit DtlfcNeu u ne TlgHG.
Platt said that our rights on the 18TH
mus were superior to those of any
treaty.
Platt held that independently of the
treaty OF 1852 the United States had
the right to protect transit across the
isthmus, even against Colombia.
If said ne. 1.-The President had not
taken the steps he did the protests we
now hear would have been I, mere
Zepher compared to the storm we
would have heard"
He had seen the newspaper report
that the American vice consul. who
was not an American citizen, had sup
piled money to secure Torres depart
ure. Even if that We're true it did not
involve the completely of the govern
ment of the United States. The act of
Colonel Black in raising the flag of
the Panama nation was defended on
the ground that he was engaged at the
time in civilian duty and raised the
flag after the new government was
formed.
Il want n canal at Panama" re-
sponded Tillman, IF we don't have to
steal it,
To this expression Mr. Platt took ex-
ception as unworthy.
Speaking of the Presidents recogni-
ton OF the new republic, Mr.. Platt
said:
The act stands out as that of a
brave and fearless nan-as that of n
man who is neither rash or impetuous.
He did the right thing at the right
time. the thing which will insure the
building OF the canal, which has been
so long delayed.
We will ratify the treaty; we will
build the canal and when the ships of
the Whole world. with their cargoes
are traversing it, these criticisms,
these attacks, these vituperations, will
be forgotten and whatever Mr.. Roose-
welt may do in the present or any
other term of office, this act will stand
forth as the greatest of his career"
With this, Platt closed, and Tillman
was recognized to read the Osten man.