The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-01-08
Senator Thomas Charges That
Roosevelt Bartered Honor of
Nation With Gang of Fill
busters
INFAMOUS PROCEEDING
A BLOT ON AMERICA
Senator Kellog Makes Sterotyp-
ed Defense of High Handed
Violation Of Colombia's Rights

Washington, Jan. president
Roosevelt's connection with the ac-
QUESTION of the Panama Canal Zone
was attacked and defended today In
the senate
Urging ratification Of the Colom-
bian treaty, involving payment of a
*Zs'ooO.OQ0 indemnity to Colombia
for the partition of Panama, Senator
Thomas, Democrat, Colorado, charg-
ed that President Roosevelt acquired
the right of way for the canal from
band Of Alibusters, "by hartering
for It the honor Of the nation"
The late former president was de-
rended by Senator Kellogg, Repub-
lican, Minnesota, who told the senate
he could not sit in silence and listen
TO reflections on the character and
craftsmanship Of Theodore Roosevelt
without expressing himself
THE Panama canal. it's history.
construction and success Is an open
book" said Senator Kellogg. "It has
been discussed, investigated and now
supported, l am convinced, by the
American people and the civilized
world.
Not only that. but John Hay,
great American and great secretary
or sttae, helped write that history.
SO did Elihu Root. another and SO
did Philander Knox Theodore eRoose.
Welt said once, IT is true I took PAN
anna Did he say he took IT unjustly
or in contravention TO International
laws? '+f u..
Woes tho senator think our
rit Cnl
her against loss Of Panama by insur-
rection? That belief is not borne out
by the judgement OF authority or the
facts. Does he think revolution was
an exceptional thing in Panama..
There were SO revolutions in Panama
in so years s
| Dld our treaties authorize the
landing of American marines to pre-.
vent Colombian troops from sup
pressing revolution?" asked Senator
Pomerene, Democrat. Ohio.
! Yes" Senator Kellogg replied.
! specifically We had treaty power TO
protect the communications across
the isthmus and the Panama railroad,
Rut l am not here now TO lfiscuss
the treaties or the canal. ! want, to
register only my opinion that the
requirement Of the canal rights was
one OF the great acts of q great pres
ldent in great era of American
history"
senator Thomas recounted the in
" we'd story of the diplomatic and
commercial dealings Of 1909 that
finally resulted ~ tho canars con-
struction and charged that President
Theodore Roosevelt acquired the
! right Of way for the canal from a
band Of pirates BY bartering for IL the
honor of the nation"
The only comfort one gathers
from the shameful and sordid story is
that il finds no precedent in our his
tory he said, in stating his conclu-
sions. Il trust that we may soon
acknowledge the wrong and make
some reparation lest it be invoked
sometime TO shelter or justify ASSAULT
upon the integrity of some weak and
helpless nation"
President Roosevelt's conduct
! from commencement to the close
Of the episode fortunately has no par
ialiel in the diplomatic history Of the
United States" Senator Thomas
charged, declaring that the govern.
ment OF the United States shared re-
sponsibility 10 IA greater or lesser de-
Sree for the revolution which Set up
a new state on the isthmus when CO.
lombia refused 10 ratify a treaty with
the United States governing the ca.
nal.