The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-17
CONTROL THE BIG CANAL,
The Chamber of Commerce
Rehearses the Last Defeat
in Congress.
A NEW BATTLE TO BE MADE.
An Appeal Issued to the American
People for Concerted
Action.

The Cham Der OF commerce Will secure
for the American people the control of the
Nicaragua canal if their efforts can pessi-
bly, secure the end desired. At the meet
ing of that body of business men yester-
day an address was prepared which appeals
TO public sentiment and national patriot
ism. 1t reads as follows:
The Chamber of Commerce OF San Francisco,
cOgnlZant OF the keen disappointment at the
fsffure OF the Nicaragua canal bill in the Fifty
third Congress, and approaching the valid
reasons for this feeling, respectfully presents
70 the commercial and industrial organiza tons
OF she Pacific Coast States and Territories and
10 our. fellow-citiZens generally, the following
Iaets and suggestions for their consideration
and approval.
The passage of the Morgan canal bill in the
United States Senate authorized US TO expect a
respectful treatment of the question in the
House7of Representatives. We have no criti-
clSm for the displacement of the Morgan bill by
the Mallory canal bill in the House-sn act
within It's proper function-and we should have
gladly welcomed its enactment with the sub
sequent reference to q conference committee of
the Senate and House.
When the committee on rules announced
that no consideration was TO be given the
measure there was reason for the feeling that
the Pacific Coasts interests had been disre-
garded. Under these conditions the Califor-
MIA delegation procured a decided majority
petition OF the House of Representatives, ad-
dressed TO the Committee on Rules. to send in
the MALLORY canal bill for its consideration.
In violation OF the most important principle of
republican government, that the majority shall
rule, this request, which had all the authority
of a command, was ignored, and the bill was
deliberately throttled by the Committee on
Rules.
-. We need not enter into any argument on the
necessity OF the Nicaragua canal The national
conventions OF both the political parties have
pronounced N Its favor; letters OF acceptance
from Presidential candidates and for years
past Presidential messages to Congress have
urged favorable action by the Government
Wara q ffrhfpraO6urr1ff the
z possibility we are confident that it would re-
ceive vote almost unanimous in its favor.
The greatest statesmen OF our country, IT.
respective OF party sre on record Tor the 0ene-
-feent work which will be the crown of Amer
lean patriotism, the security Of American
influence, prestige and prosperity.
The Development OF our commerce, our in
dustries, our international influence and our
political and military safety all demand the
prompt construction Of the Nicaragua Canal.
Under the control OF the Government of the
United States. When we assert this we but re-
iterate what has been stated by long line of
American Presidents, as well rs by our most
IlustriOuS statesmen.
Wehave only one satisfactory reflection in this
connection, that the Flfty-third Cong ress would
have secured IAN American canal under Ameri-
can control had 1t been given an opportunity.
We respectfully urge upon every commercial
and industrial organization on the Pacific
coast, and upon our fellOY-cItlzenS individu-
EIlys TO keep up and increase their urgent de-
mand for favorable legislation; we ask them 70
address their Eastern correspondents request
u.
friendship and business interests they viii urge
upon their Senator'S and Representatives favor
able action in the Fifty-fOurth Congress. Such
acton viii not fs1I to meet with favorable re-
Spouse, Tor blood is thicker than water" and
commercial self-interest is powerful induce
ment. Let our friends appreciate what q boon
to- US viii be the Nicaragua Canal and they
will aid Us in obtaining the necessary legisla-
ton.
II we follow this course success viii attend
our efforts and our Pacific Coast take on new
life. The task Is easy and the reward bene-
fceut,-even 70 the opponents who have thus |
far prevailed against the public interest.
We desire 10 extend our sincere thanks to the /
California and other Pacific Coast delegations /
for sheir active aid and energetic action in both
tie United States Senate and House OF Repre-
seCt0tives, and we congratulate our people
that most OF the delegation viii continue 70
represent US in the Fifty-iourth Congress. The
canal means progress ana patrlousm-lt must
prevail if we continue and increase the public
demand for it. We respectfully request the
public press of the Pacific Coast TO publish this
address as matter of paramount public
interest.
The reading of the document was greeted
with applause. NJ. NJ. Estee, who has the
matter thoroughly at heart and who has
taken much interest in the proposition,
gave his views upon the subject
He said the canal by rights should
belong to the United States. The vast
resources Of the country demanded the
ownership of the passageway to the
European and Eastern centers. II the
merchants and Chambe of Commerce
. throughout the United States would realize
this fact and pull together the canal would
be constructed by United States authority.
Mr.. Estee quoted from statistics showing
the vast decrease in transportation of Cali
fornia products which the building of the
canal would cause. He also called atten-
ton to the attitude OF England in relation
TO our southern neighbOrs and particu-
larly the Nicaragua country. That there
might be no doubt as TO the feelings OF the
this subject the following resolution was
adopted:
WHEREAS, The requirement OF additional ter
ritOry is policy which controls the action of
European nationsHties, with the ultimate OBJ
iect OF increasing their commerce and prestige,
often in entire disregard Of the interests or
well being OF weaker nauonalities,
.. PfsoIUed That it should he the established
policy of the United States that no European
bower shall be permitted to absorb the terri
Tory or destroy the autonomy of any one OF the
American republics.
A letter from Admiral Daniel Ammen.
WHO'S at present at Ammendale Nd, was
read. The retired officer stated he would
DO all in his power to urge the construc-
ton OF the canal.
The Mechanics Institute informed the
chamber that their next industrial exhibit
ton will be opened August Ii and con-
tinued until September IL.
The Chamber OF Commerce OF Seattle
: asked for cooperation from San Francisco
to secure protection from encroachment OF
foreign nations on the northwest Ameri-
can boundaries. Particular attention was
called to Alaska and the disputed division
lines.