The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-12-02
WHY IT SHOULD HAVE AID
Advocates of the Nicaragua Canal
Finish the Work Of Their
Convention.
Strong Reasons Why the United
States Should Encourage the
Enterprise.
The Importance 0f 1t Is To 10 Urged
Upon Congress More Vigorous
Than Ever.

NEW ORLEANS. Dec. lat the evening
session of the Nicaragua canal convention
Judge Nj. NJ. Istee. of California. spoke at
length. He reviewed the growth of the idea
OF constructing canal across the isthmus
from the earliest inception in the sixteenth
century, and laid great stress upon the i'm
portancs attached to the project by the ma
tions of Europe, particularly by Great Britt
ain. He cited the utte,ances of eminent
Americans who support the plan and gaia
now it was regarded by lendina men of both
political patties as an important work; its
construction would be national glory, it's
failure national defeat. lie gave sum
mary of the provisions of the bill intro
duced by Senator Morgan. OF Alabama. to
extend government aid to the enterprise
and concluded with the statement that the
construction Of the canal was matter of
national honor. II it was not built with
American capital it would be by foreign
capital. and that meant to this country iso-
laton of an important section in war and
| lass of commerce in peace.
w. B. Cabell spoke on behalf Of the dole
cation from the District of Columbia. urg-
ing that an influential delegation be sent to
Washington to urge upon congress the inn
portance of the project and the necessity
for action. 8. A. Jones. of Florida, de-
picted the advantages of the canal from
southern standpoint. Letters were read
expressing interest in and sympathy with
the work OF the convention from many
prominent men. traffic associations. etc.
The convention this morning received
and adopted the report of the committee
ON future work. 1t makes each mem
Der of the convention committee of one
to spread information in regard to the
canal and eaoh delegate to make
a written report to the power which
appointed it, that is. to organize
man of the convention appoint committee
of five to go to Washington to push the
work there with power to call on whomever
they choose to aid them; that the executive
COMMITTEES be increased SO that oach state
present will be represented by three mem
bers.
Senator Morgan. of Alabama, author of
the Nicaragua canal bill, was accorded a
hearing and spoke at length on the advan-
taRes Of the canal.
In the afternoon Judge Estee, chairman
of the committee on resolutions, submitted
report. 1t sets forth the fact that the
distance by water from the Atlantic to the
Pacific side of our country IL more than
Is, 900 miles; that to make the voyage we
must pass over tempestuous seas ard
} thi ough every known variety OF climate;
that mere thread of land separates the
two ooenns that the seyerng of this thread
and opening of navigable water channel
across the isthmus of Nicaragua will unto
the Atlantic and Pacific and shorten the
water route from one side of the continent +
to the other 1O, 900 miles; that the Pacific
states are now more remote from the At
lantio senboard and older and more popu-
lous parts of the country than Europe. The
construction of a canal will encourage
closer relations with our sister republics of
Central and South Ame-icn The cost of
the transportation OF freight will be cheap
ened: that us measure of national defense
it would be of infinitely greater value than
! building forts or maintaining armies; by it
our navy can be concentrated at any Amer
,can port in one third of the time and at
one-third of the expense now required; large
and numerous coalnR stations would be
{ dispensed with; the Pacific ocean, with its
increasing commerce. its island and Asiatic
trade. would contribute to our wealth and
enlarge our markets; that in this age Of
{ com mercinl activity, whom the most en-
! lightened EutionS are seeking and creating
} new markets, the great aim is to shorten
J distance and oheapen transportation; that
( to successfully accomplish this end
( maintain large and varied industries all
: over the country. md give better markets
= GO our dSElCuLtuEdl pAO
! ducts, the shortest routes by land and sea
( must be created; that water transportation
{ ia the cheapest. and. as America is Rreat
) producing country. it competes with all
) other countries in the worlds market, and
} thus inspires rivalry; that this IL the great
I est republic of the world; monarchies arc
( ien lous of it's wonderful Growth and splen-
) did industrial achievements. 1 he time
} has come when America should prepare for
I and guard against the necessity and dan
( gers of the future; that it would be unwise
{ and unpatriotic for this great republic tc
publicly and 9uiatly permit any foreign
) power 10 either open for themselves tn,
gates of American commerce, or close tn DIG
{ gates upon US. and hence the American
) PEOPLE should build this canal and contro
! it when built.
I The convention declares it tho permanent
{ duty of this government TO aid the con
{ struotion of the NicataGunn canal ant
) urges congress to take such steps and give
J such financial aid ns will insure tho speedy
Z completion of said cnnal at the minimum
{ cost thereof, taking proper security for any
: credit pledged or money advanced for tbs
} purpose. and retaining such control anc
} supervision of same as will Insure th
I peaceful use OF this great enterprise to til
{ commerce of the world at the lowest pos
: sible rates. The resolutions woie adopted
} and n number of speakers were then listenes
! to, Chairman Converse was added to thu
committee later Three cheers were givel
for Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the United
...>