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 "appear so attractive on their surface" that a majority of senators would vote for them, even though their passage would force either a iiew plebiscite on the treaties in Panama or the reopening of liegotiations.
February 5--The- Los Angeles Times reported that General Torrijos
 had retired to his seaside home to wait out the debate, which was expected to last 3 to 5 w eeks, because lie had grown acutely aware that anything he said could set off an explosion in the United States.
 According to the report the General dispensed with all speeches, television appearances. interviews and anything else that would
 involve him lin the debate going on in the United States.
February 7- Senate Majority Leader Byrd, on behalf of Minority
 Leader Baker, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sparkman and ranking minority member Case, the Majority and Minority Whips Cranston and Stevens, and 72 other Senators, submitted f or printing amendments Nos. 20 and 21 to the Panama Canal Treaties. The purpose of the so-called leadership amendments was to clarify U.S. rights to defend the canal and to enjoy head-of the-line passage during emergencies. Accordingly, Article IV and VI of the Neutrality Treaty would be amended to insure these rights.
 The two amendments would incorporate into the text of the treaties the Statement of Understanding agreed to by President Carter and
 General Torrij os on October 14, 1977.
February 7-The Washington Star quoted Assistant Democratic
 Leader Alan Cranston, as putting the number of committed treaty supporters at 58 with an additional six senators leaning in that direction, while the opposition had 23 committed and five leaners.
 Senator Paul Laxalt, for the opposition, claimed 24 votes in hand, with eight senators leaning against ratification. Proponents by
 Laxalt's reckoning numbered "about 60."
February 8 The Senate began debate on the Panama Canal Treaties.
 After Senator James Allen posed 17 parliamentary inquiries to Vice President Mondale regarding Senate procedure, general statements were presented on both sides of the issue.
February 8-The Washington Post reported that the Panamanian
 government had refused to resume compensation negotiations f or 1500,000 acres of Panamanian land formerly owned in part by Washington developer Dominic Antonelli, Jr. and former Ambassado~r to Luxembourg, Kingdon Gould, Jr. until after U.S. ratification of the Panama Canal treaties.
February 8-Senator Stennis, Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, told a press conference that the potential cost for items not covered by canal tolls could run as high as $1.02 billion over the next 22 years. The Committee challenged the Administration arguments that the Treaties would not cost U.S. taxpayers
 anything.
February 8-Former Governor IRonald Reagan appeared on national television in an effort to build opposition to the Treaties. He stated that giving up control of the Canal might be the first step toward the loss "of our own freedom."
February 9-Majority Leader Byrd acknowledged that turning over control of the Panama Canal would cost American tax dollars, but