The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-01-27
TALK WITH ADMIRAL AMMEN
The Old Tar Replies TO Col. Thompson's
Recent Panama Canal Interview,
And Recalls Some Things that Nay Have Been
Forgotten by the Ex.Secretary-Alleged
Motive for Bribing Congressman.

NEW YORK, Jan. 26.-In reference TO the
proposed investigation By Congress of the
American end of the Panama canal scandal
a morning paper prints the following from
Its Washington correspondent:
NO American has been more prominent
In urging the construction of q canal across
Central America than Rear Admiral Daniel
Ammen. Admiral Ammen was mentioned
In II the m interview int of Secretary of the Navy
X. w. Thompson. some days ago, as one of
those who appeared before the House COM
mlttee on foreign relations on Jan. IL, 1881,
when that committee refused to invoke the
Monroe doctrine against the French en-
croachment on Panama. The Admiral is
now retired. Asked if he would not like to
throw some light on the suspected corrup-
tiOn In America In connection with the
Panama canal. the Admiral answered: All
l know is merely matter of suspicion. ]
care TO say nothing concerning that. But
lwould like to say o few words concerning
Colonel ThOmpsOn's views on this subject.
The interview OF Colonel Thompson, pub
hshed Jan. %. is gratifying in the state
ment that five hundred cars were built in
Indiana. and dredges locomotives and other
machinery were paid for out of the II O00,-
600 francs sent to this country, which NJ.
Charles de Lesseps was reported as saying
had been turned to O very good account,
was. in fact. usefully spent, but that no ac-
count was rendered. Let us hope. in just
ice TO Col. Thompson as the head of the
American Panama canal syndicate and his
associates. that Nj. Charles de Lesseps will
correct his statement Col. Thompson errs
in eupposiDg that l appeared before the
foreign affairs committee of the House TO
argue the validity of the Monroe doctrine
as against the Panama canal. AS an old
navy man | haye STUDIED the question of
war as between nations. There is no power
that could wage go effective q war against
Us, and at less cost. than France. and she
could maintain it indefinitely. A war with
France would cost US enormously. and
shat, too. with very unsatisfactory and
negative results to us. / submit this prOpo-
sition to Colonel Thompson and to other
military men, and will hold myself ready
TO demonstrate the fact if required. In
looking over the situation, in which Col.
Thompson sees no possible motive othe2
than to repress she Monroe doctrine reso-
lutiOns. l would suggest another pc ssi-
bility which had escaped his acumen. s {
that time the Maritime Canal Company Of
Nicaragua, holding very liberal conoes-
sion-far more so than that held by Nj. De
Lesseps at Panama-vas endeavoring to
obtain simply an act of incorporation from
Congress without any guarantees, and was
unable to do so in all the period of the ex-
istence of the concession. which had an ex-
tension of time and finally expired by limi-
tation.
NOW it occurs to me that NJ. Dauseats,
the chief engineer at Panama at that time,
when asked by O reporter in relation to the
Nicaragua canal as q possible obstruction,
replied that Nj. De Lesseps would know
how to repress that; he had too many
friends In tho United States to allow that
to proceed. 1t Is a curious fact. ss stated
before, that the Maritime Canal Company
of Nicaragua, then holding q very admir-
able concession on route that had been
pronounced upon by q government COM
mission as commercially practicable and
superior TO any other route known, could
never obtein q single act of incorporation.
even when sh0rn Of any guar
antee. l recall this fact to the
memory of Colonel Thompson, who doub
less. has forgotten all about the affair after
such lapse of time. / recall the fact too.
that in minority report. adverse to grant
ing On act of incorporation. q very Ianda-
tory mention was made of the SueZ canal.
and as M. DO Lesseps was at work OF Pan
anna we might connt upon q canal. 1t was
strange reason for denying any act of in
corporation to build the Nicaragua canal
for which they held a concession. General
Grant was ostentatiously offered the presi-
dency Of the American branch of the Pam
ANA canal by telegram from Paris. He
declined the offer, and stated in his reply
that, desirOus as he was to connect his
name with q canal across this continent,
he was nevertheless, unwilling TO do so in
project which he felt sure would end in
the loss of the capital invested. At anoth-
er date q telegram from Paris Osten tatious-
ly announced that the American Minister
OF udu aCceptou tue AluSElCpn
presidency of the Panama Canal Company
at a salary of $4,000 A reporter inter-
viewed the American Minister of Marine In
the person of Colonel Thompson, and was
informed that he had received SO tempti nc
an oifer from that company that it was i'm.
possible to decline it. The reporter was
malicious enough to add that the American
Minister of Marine had little idea of his
own value as stool pigeon TO entrap the
French peasants and small renters'n
VIII Not Inquire Into Alleged Bribery
WASHINGTON. Jan. 26-The Democratic
majority of the committee on rules have
decided to report back the Fellows resolu-
tion providing for an investigation of the
Panama railroad and canal matter with an
amendment limiting the inquiry to the
effect of recent operations on American
commerce and providing for an examIna-
tion of the traffic agreements made between
the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and
the transconrlnental railroads and their
bearing upon the steamship subsidy act.