The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-24
NICARAGUA CANAL.
What Nj. NJ. Estee Has to
Say About 1t.
Two California Congressman Who
Do Not Favor the Penal
Canal Bill.

Morris NJ Estee, who returned from
Washington last Tuesday, after an absence
of several weeks. was interviewed by re-
porter on the subject OF the Nicaragua canal.
while in Washington / gave tile canal
business some attention, though was not
there especially on that business. The pee
pie East, outside OF Congress. seemed to be
practically unanimous in favor of govern
mental construction and governmental con-
troll of the Nicaragua canal. In Congress a
political question. especially as new ad-
ministration Is coming into power ia short
time, cuts a large figure. hence the present
bin before the Senate Will certainly pass
that body. IL reached on the calendar. But
il will not be either reached or passed in
the House Of Representatives, and, as the
4th of March terminates this session OF Coz
gress, new measure VIII have 10 DC pre-
scented to the next Congress, il the people
are DESTROYS of having this Government In
terested in the canal
The Nicaragua Canal Company has not
been represented in Washington. nor is it
pressing the present bill 10 passage. In
fact. If the present mea sure should pass. the
future control Of that work will rest alone IN
the General Government. although the con-
stTuction would 20 on IN The name OF the
corporation which was incor Grated by the
act of Congress three years ago.
III is 10 DC itELtlttu lHdI tIcf6 suuuIu
have been any opposition to this measure
from the West, for | cannot imagine any
one thing OF such permanent importance 10
the future prosperity OF the Pacific Coast as
the early completion OF the Nicaragua
canal. At least one and possibly two
members of Congress from California do
not favor the canal.
$50 far as | know, there is no lobby in
Washington either working for or against
the canal
"Those opposing the measure claim to
want to make the present bill more perfect.
and get they propose no amendments tend
ing TO that end. Hence. / assume that their
opposition must be founded in their general
objection 10 giving governmental aid to the
enterprise rather than 10 the bill new be-
fore Congress.
"The present BILL" said Mr.. Estee, had
the unanimous support Of the Committee
on Foreign Relations of the Senate, among
whose members are Sherman of Ohio and
Morgan of Alabama. the two recognized
leaders. in point of ability, of the two par
ties of the Senate Senator FRYE of Maine
opened the debate In a mas ery speech in
favor of the canal, and up to the time that
left Washington no one had attempted to
reply to 1t.
The investigation of the Panama frauds
has tended 10 awaken the country 10 the
possible future frauds in all matters in
which the Government might be interested,
influence action in the Nicaraguan matter.
But one thing is certain. Ii our Govern
ment doesn't build this canal sOme one else
Will, and th at, too. at very early date, and
the fear is that longer delay on the part Of
Congress Will in the end place this great in
teroceanic waterway under foreign control.
l have reason To believe. and do believe.
that If the present measure is defeated for
eign capital can and will he obtained 10
build the canal. which will mean, after its
ompletion. foreign control over ii.
The influence of Hawaiian matters on
the canal issue would certainly be most
favorable. The general trend Of public
opinion all over the country seems TO favor
American control of the Hawaiian Islands,
either in the form Of a protectorate or an
nexatiOn. This is largely due to the fact
that our country is seeking constantly for
commercial supremacy on the Pacific. Our
trade with Australia. New ZEALAND, and In
deed, with all the Islands OF the Pacific, has
within few years largely increased The
construction OF the Nicaragua canal would
give a new aud a greater impetus TO our
commercial growth on the Pacific. The
acquisition of the Hawaiian Islands, there
fore. is the first and the longest step to be
taken TO this end P"