The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1921-04-19
WATSON ATTACKS
PACT WITH COLOMBIA
GEORGIA SENATOR is GIVEN
CLOSE ATTENTION AND CON-
GRADUATED BY MEMBERS.

WASHINGTON, d. C.-SenatOrial
opponents and proponents Of ratitlca-
ton OF the long-peHding Colombian
treaty requested by President Hard
ing is engaged in hot verbal battle
over the proposal to pay Colombia
$25000,000 for territory taken over by
the United States for the Panama
canal zone. Former President Wilson
also urged the adoption OF the same
treaty.
Set speeches of considerable length
are being delivered by both republl-
can and democratic senators who eth
er agree or disagree with the president
and Senator Lodge, chairman OF the
senate foreign relations committee,
that the treaty should be ratified as
step toward encouraging friendly rela-
tions between the United States and
South and Central American countries.
Senator Thomas Z. Watson, OF
Georgia, delivered his maiden speech
in the senate Thursday by making an
onslaught upon the treaty. Speaking
with the vehemence that usually
marks his addresses the senator de-
clared that Colombia, through the re-
volt of Panama, merely lost some ma
larial lakes, some mosquito infested
swamps and an uncontrolled river
which Colombia straddled, unable to
bring one leg to the other"
Senators Changed Minds.
Senator Watson declared that Sen
ator Lodge had changed his mind re-
garding the treaty, but should not ask
others to make every turn of the
wheel with him."
He paid special attention to the
speech of Senator Pomerene, demo-
GRAFT Ohio, a supporter OF the treaty
The Ohio senator's long address, Mr.
Watson declared could be boiled
down into one sentence: That we
stole something and ought to pay"
Name the thief" Senator Watson
challenged, pointing to Senator Pom
creme, who with knitted brows made
no response. Even in a Georgia JUS
tice court when we call man a thief
we ought to be man enough to name
him. The senator from Ohio did not
name his thief. He also should name
the accomplices."
There was no theft" Senator Wat
son continued, adding that Panama
might properly have been aided by
this nation to obtain her independence,
but denied that the element of THEFT
existed.
AS he proceeded the Georgia sena-
tors long hair drifted into his eyes
and his voice, with characteristic en-
phasis, grew louder as he gestured
with extended arm.
In attacking the address OF Senator
Knox, of Pennsylvania the Georgia
senator ridiculed an Illustration given
by Mr.. Knox.
Asks Aid for Farmers.
Urging economy as a reason against
the Colombian payment Senator Wat
son said that banks, stores and fac
tories were closing all over the coun-
try, former war veterans appealing for
aid and farms being abandoned.
1--WE are today paying. from SIX to
ten dollars for a pair OF shoes from
the hide of whole cow selling Tor
so cents" said Watson, arguing that
the taxpayers should not be compelled
to pay the tribute" to Colombia.
On the question OF national honor"
Watson Contended that national hon
raised by treaty advocates Senator
or required spurning of a proposal
which, he insisted, would confess ma
tional dishonor Supporters OF the
treaty he added, made much of elm
nation from the old treaty of the so
called apology clause" The pend
ing treaty, he said, virtually was the
same. regardless OF the absence Of am
apology clause.
When Senator Watson concluded
many of his colleagues, including Sen
ator Harris, of Georgia, and Senator
Lodge of Massachusetts, republican
leader, went yer and shook his hand.