The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-04-19
STORM OF PROTESTS
RAISED IN CONGRESS-
Senator Root Opposes the
Treaty and BristOw Calls
1t q &c.
PARTY LEADERS WORRIED
Bull Moose Up in Arms and
Roosevelt Is Expected
to Enter Fray.

WASHINGTON. April 1.-THE publica.
ton Of the text Of the new treaty with
Colombia. by which Colombia is to re-
ceive s25.000,0o0 free passage for her
warships through the Panama Canal and
other substantial concessions. has raised
a storm in Congress that is likely to
rival In intensity the tolls exemption con-
troversy.
The criticism Of members OF the Senate
and House was directed chiefly at the
clause which is quite generally construed
here az an apology by the United States
to Colombia for the incidents which re-
suited in the establishment OF the re-
public Of Panama.
Several Democrats were among those
who criticised this section OF the treaty
most sharply and It was apparent tonight
that the treaty has practically no chance
for ratification by the Senate with the
offensive paragraph remaining.
It Is the understan diig that even Sena.
tor Root. who as Secretary Of state ne
gotiated a treaty with Colombia in settle
ment OF the same controversy. will oppose
the convention which has been drawn by
Secretary BRYAN.
This will be a blow to the Adminis-
trstion. as Secretary Bryan and his fol-
lowers have been citing the treaty me-
gotiated by Mr.. Root as support for the
present arrangement made with the Gov
% ~ !
The Offensive Clause.
Mr.. Roots objection. as well as Senator
Lodges and other well known students of
foreign affairs. will undoubtedly be aimed
however, at the clause which Is construed
as an apology. Here is that clause given
out from Colombian sources:
"The Government OF the United
States. desiring to put an end to all
disputes and differences with the re-
public Of Colombia. accustomed by
events which have brought about the
present situation In the lsthmus OF
Panama. In its name and in the name
| OF the people of the United States
expresses sincere regret for anything
that may have interrupted or altered
the relations of cordial friendship
existing long between the two nations.
COLOMBIA in her name and In the
name Of the people OF Colombia ac-
cepts this declaration in full assur-
ances that in this way will disappear
| all obstacles to the restoration of
| complete harmony between the two
countries
Remarkable situation.
| remarkable situation already has de
veloped in regard to this treaty. Score
tary Bryan entered into an understanding
with the Government of Colombia thai
the treaty would be made public stimuli
| taneously in both countries several day
ago.
Before the day OF release had arrived
however the fact had become known tina
the treaty contained expressions OF regre
over the Panama revolution. lmmediatel!
there was bitter opposition in the Senate
and 1t was learned to-day that Senate
tee on Foreign Relations. urged that tn
text Of the treaty be withheld until tn
canal tolls and other pressing foreign
questions were settled.
Senator Shively and the Democrat
Senators for whom ne spoke felt they ha
a sufficiently heavy burden to carry al
ready without "a fight over the Colomb!
treaty being added.
This Is now accepted as the explanatio
Of why the treaty never has been mad
public by the State Department, althoug
the text of 1t was published In Bogot
on the agreed date and has since bee
given out In Paris.
At the state Department 1t has bee
said that the text of the treaty has bee
withheld as an act of courtesy to IN
Senate until the formal draft arrives fror
Bogota to be laid before the upper branc
of the national Legislature.
Several Of the Administrations sur
porters are worried over this new cor
troversy and are seeking to contend tina
tho language of the treaty was not In
tended as an acknowledgment of any ac
of injustice to Colombia.
The Presidents Intention.
1t is plainly the intention OF the Pre-,
ident and his friends to contend that III
language OF the treaty does not constitut
an apology. although some of the demo
Gratis In the Senate acknowledge that
IL difficult for them to interpret the claus
In any other way. Several Democrat
; while declining to talk for publication
were severe in their comments.
senator MARITIME Of New Jersey, a Dem,
crat, suggested as the reason that n
treaty had been published first In y To-
Continued on Seventh Page.