The Portland daily press., 1889-01-07
AN INTERLUDE.
DeLesseps's Big Ditch instead of
the Tariff,

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-Mr. Edmunds Of
fered two resolutions, which were agreed to,
calling ON thePresident for information as to
the Venezuela awards, and what steps, if
any, have been taken by the United States
government to collect the monthly quotas of
the Caracas customs receipts.
Mr.. Sherman called up the joint resolution,
reported by him yesterday from the commit
tee on foreign relations, declaring the sense
of Congress, in relation to the connection OF
European governments with any inter-Oce-
anic canal, and asked that it be passed im-
mediately. A brief discussion ensued.
Mr.. Vest suggested that, while favoring
the resolution, it was intended to have some
bearing in favor of the Nicaragua canal, a
scheme to which he was opposed.
Mr.. Edmunds, the author of the resolution
disclaimed having been influenced by any
such idea.
Mr.. George regarded the resolution as a
very important and necessary step.
Mr.. Regan thought that the resolution
should not be pressed to vote today, but
should be considered and debated. Its lam
guage, he said, was too broad and nnre-
stricted. and contained an unnecessary offence
to France
Mr. Gray coincided with the views given
by Mr.. Regan, and said that the government
f the United States should not, without
grave consideration, interpose an obstacle to
work which would advance the civilization
of the world.
Mr.. Morgan took the view that Congress
had no right to trammel the diplomatic action
of the executive by the passage of a joint
resolution. If the idea was to be expressed
by Congress, it should be in the form OF a
concurrent resolution only.
Mr.. Sherman treated Mr.. Morgan's objec-
tion to the form of the resolution as more
technical than important, but was willing to
have the resolution made a concurrent one,
instead of joint resolution, although he
thought the latter, the better form as bind
ing the three branches of the government.
He would like to see all the nations of the
world (out not the -governmentsl cooperate
in the work of the Panama canal He con-
seDted to let the matter 60 over until Mon
day, but it should be disp osed of then, be-
cause the resolution should be passed
promptly or not at all.
Mr.. Call again spoke against the resolution
as move in the interest of the few against
the many, as being against the progress OF
civilization and against the best interests of
mankind; and said that If it resulted in war
it would be a war in which the United States
could not be sustained by the conscience of
the world. Why Che asked issue such 6rai-
uan (ulmen? Was it proposed to make war
upon the people of Central America and to
annex forcibly their territory? He had no
objection to the project of annexation, but
he would like it to be done openly and sin.
cerely, insCead of indulging in vain piece
of braggadocio and untruthful assertion
What, he asked, did the resolution propose
Did it propose to say that no foreign gov
ernment should contribute any money to q
work of admittingly international neces
sityP Why should not any foreign govern
ment do so? Ii the object was TO prevent
any injurious effect of French or English in
flueDce (and he could see no danger of sucl
a thing, why not say that the great inter.
oceanic canal should be controlled by the ma
tions of the earth under some form of inter
national commission? The people of the
Gulf states were greatly interested in tn,
construction of the canal. They were inter
ested to prevent its arbitrary use, to their eX
clusion and to their injury. But the resou
tiOn did not look in that direction. 1t die
not affirm anything as to the, proper use o
the canal. What Senator, he asked, coult
give any reason why such a canal (properl,
used), would not be for the benefit of citizen
of the United States? There could be non'
given. If the resolution was sincere ant
meant anything, it meant war. What righ
had the Congress of The United States to sa,
that the people of Columbia should not ac
cept the aid of foreign government for the
construction of the Panama canal?
Subsequently Mr.. Gray offered an amend
ment for the resolution as follows:
That any connection of any European gov verI
ment or construction OF any ship canal across tn
Isthmus of Oarien or across Central America tina
involves any political control whatever of the til
ritory through which such canal passes or inter
ference with the government or system of govern
ment of any portion of this continent will be view
ed by the government of the United States wit
serious concern aud disapproval aud consdere
dangerous to our peace and safety.
The House amendments to the Nicaragu
canal bill were referred to the committee O
foreign relations. The Senate then resume,
consideration of the tariff bill at paragraph
322 in the cotton schedule Various amend
ments were offered and discussions were la,
upon them but all were rejected by the usua
party vote and when paragraph 1856, referrin
to laces, etc., was reached, the Senate ad
journed.