The record-union., 1893-01-27
THE SCANDAL IN THIS COUNTRY.
Admiral Ammen Answers Views Ex-
pressed by Colonel Thompson.

Admiral Ammen Answers Views Ex-
pressed by Colonel Thompson.
New YORK, Jan. 26.-With reference
to the proposed investigation by Congress
of the American end of the Panama
Canal scandal, a morning paper prints the
following from a Washington corre-
spondent: No American has been more
prominent in urging the construction OF
the canal across Central America than
Rear Admiral Daniel Ammen. Admiral
Ammen is mentioned in an interview
with ex-Secretary of the Navy r. w.
Thompson, some days ago, as one of
thsse who appeared before the House
Committee Of Foreign Relations January
IL, 1889, when that committee refused to
invoke the Monroe doctrine against the
French encroachment on Panama. The
Admiral is now retired. He was asked if
he would not like to throw some light on
the suspected corruption in America in
connection with the Panama Canal.
The Admiral answered: ''Ail [ know is
merely a matter Of suspicion. l care to
say nothing concerning that; but would
like to say a few words concerning Col
4.
The interview of Colonel Thompson pub
lished January 23d is gratifying in the
statement that 500 cars built in Indiana.
and dredgers, locomotives and other
machinery were paid for out Of the sI2.-
100000 sent to this country which Charles
De Lesseps was reported as saying had
been turned to very good account. 1t
was, in fact, usefuIly spent, but no ac-
count was rendered. Let us hope. in
justice to Colonel Thompson, as the head
of the American Panama Canal syndi-
cate, and his associate, Charles De Les
seps, will correct his statement.
Colonel Thompson errs in supposing
l appear before the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee of the House to argue the validity
of the Monroe doctrine as against the
Panama Canal.
Looking over the question of bribery.
in which Colonel Thompson sees no pos
sible motive other than to repress Mon
roe doctrine resolutions. I would suggest
another possibility which escaped his ae-
umen. At that time the Maritime Canal
Company Of Nicaragua was holding a
very liberal concession, far more so than
that held by De Lesseps at Panama. and
was endeavoring to obtain simply an act
of incorporation from Congress without
any guarantees, and was unable to do so
Now it occurs to me that Dauzata. tho
Chief Engineer at Panama at that time
when asked by reporter in relation 10
the Nicaragua Canal as q possible Oh
struction, replied that De Lessons wo,,Id
know how to repress that: he had too
many friends in the United States to al
low that to proceed. It is curious fact.
as stated before, that the Maritime Canal
Company of Nicaragua, then holding =
very admirable concession on the ronAa
pronounced upon by the Governments
Commission as commercially practicable
and superior to any other route known
could never obtain a single Act of incor-
poration, even when sholn of any guar
antee.
II recall this fact to the memory of
Colonel Thompson, who doubtless has
forgotten all about it after such a lapse Of
time. recall the fact, too. in the minor
ity report adverse to granting the Act Of
incorporation. very Mandatory mention
was made of the Suez Canal, and as De
Lesseps was at work at Panama. we
might count upon the canal-a strange
reason for denying the Act of incorpora-
ton to build the Nicaragua Canal, for
which they held concession.
General Grant was ostentaliously
offered the Presidency of the American
branch of the Panama Canal by telegram