The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-12-22
THE NICARAGUA CANAL PROJECT.
Southerners Say a Foreign War
Would Remove Sectional Feeling.
Senators Listen to Terrible Tales Of
Poverty In New England.
Both Branches Adjourn for the HoII-
day Recess.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-In the House TO-
day resolution was adopted requesting
from the President information touching af-
fairs in Madagascar.
The House then went into committee of the
whole on the Nicaraguan bill. Mr.. Spinola's
amendment limiting the capital stock to
$10O.000,000 was rejected, and also Mr. Stock
dale's amendment providing that none of
the concessions of the Nicar guam govern
ment be changed without the consent of the
United States government An amendment
was adopted providing that all bonds ,and
stock certitics'rs shall be issued at the prin-
clpal Office III New York, and also one pro-
viding that all shares, bonds, certificates and
other evidence of indebtedness be paid for
only In cash to be paid into the company's
treasury and used for corporate purposes.
Another amendment provides that the di-
Nicaragua. and majority citizens and
residents of the United States.
Mr. Oates. Of Alabama, supported the bill
10 a speech, during which he said he did not
think the enterprise would involve the
welcome war at any time, he was not sure
that If the cause of the United States was
just, a foreign war would be of detriment to
the country. He was apprehensive that
nothing would ever completely eradicate sec
tioEalism in this country except foreign
war, and il it had no other beneficial result
such war would be worth the outlay.
Mr. Herbert, of Alabama, conceded with
his views and said a foreign war might
prove great blessing to the people of the
United States If the United States could
have war in which its cause was just. A
union of those who fought on different sides
In the late civil war must tend to bring to-
gether the people of the whole country. He
was afraid that unless the country had a
war with foreign nation in which the peo-
pie of the South could demonstrate upon the
field their loyalty to the government, the
late war would never be forgotten by the
North.
An amendment was adopted providing that
no change be made in the concessions by
Nicaragua andICost Rica which in any way
affects the rights Of American citizens or the
right of the government of the United States
Of the use of the canal until the consent of
the United States shall have been first G ven.
Stili another amendment was adopted re-
curing the company to make report to the
Secretary of the Interior on the first Monday
lnseach year, verified by the president and
secretary of the company, giving detailed
statement of the affairs of the company, any
false statement on the part Of the officers to
be deemed perjury and punished as SUCH
The last amendment adopted provides that
the United States government shall not be
stopped from exercising at any time any
rights or powers that now exist by virtue of
the laws of nations or that may be acquired
through treaty stipulations relative to the
transportation of American citizens and
their property through the canal.
Mr.. Baker, of Illinois, offered an amend
ment providing that the government of the
United States shall at any time have the
right to purchase the entire property of the
company at a price equal TO its actual cost
with interest at the rate of 1--WE per cent per
aunum. This was rejected, but it was agreed
that it might be offered in the House and a
yea and nay vote taken upon it.
The committee then rose, the previous
question was ordered ON the bill and amend
ments and tie House adjourned until Jan
uary2 2