Evening star., 1897-01-23
THE RODRIGUEZ LETTER
1t is Likely to Defeat the Nicaragua Canal
Bill.
Consideration of the Arbitrat ton
Treaty VIII Also Probably
Be Retarded.

Senators generally realize that the COM
munication Of Minister Rodriguez in re-
gard to the Nicaragua canal franchises,
which was sent to the Sen ate yesterday is
liable to have immediate effect upon not
only the canal bill, but also upon other
erding and probable legislation, including
the general Anglo-American arbitration
treaty.
While senators prefer not TO be quoted
they generally express the opinion privately
that the first consequence of this statement
of the position Of the greater republic will
be to send the bill back to the committee
on foreign relations and thus prevent the
vote upon 1t which would otherwise have
been secured within The next few days.
A Recommittal Expected.
1t Is probable that Senator Morgan will
make an effort to prevent recommittal but
unless the mood of the Senate changes be-
fore the question again comes up it is
evident that it will be extremely difficult
to get majority of the Senate to vote
upon the Morgan bill until the new and
startling phase of the quest ton which Senior
Rodrfguez's communication raises can be
investigated. The sentiment in the Senate
today Is apparently quite in favor of re-
committing for investigation.
The opinion is also held by some senators
'hdI lHc Statement TendeIS the question
one for diplomatic rather than legislative
action in its present aspects. 1t is a mat
Ter CT conjecture how long 1.-THE bill will re-
main In the committee if recommitted, but
IN that event 1t is not considered probable
that 1t could be reported In time to be con-
sidered during the present session.
Effect on the Treaty.
Quite as important as the effect upon the
Nicaragua bill itself is the influence which
ic
the arbitration treaty. Whether a basis for
the opinion exists not, there is no deny
ing that many senators believe that the
American powers is the result of British in
fuence, and the effect is to cause those
who hold this belief to stand atoof from
any alliance with England.
Members of the committee on foreign re-
lat1ons freely express the opinion In private
conversation that the effect of the COM
munication will be entirely against the
treaty. One of the most prominent of them
who had not heretofore expressed any
opinion TO the treaty was heard to saw
after the Rodriguez letter was read yester-
day, that it would be quite impossible td
get the treaty through now.
The committee on foreign relations will
hold a special meeting Monday to take up
the treaty.
How 1t Looks in the House.
Representative Hepburn Of Iowa, chair
man of the House committee on interstate
and foreign commerce, which reported the
Nicaragua canal bill to the House. said TO-
day. speaking of the sensa tional disclosures
made in the communication of senor Rod
riguez, the minister of the Greater Republic
OF Central America, which was read in
the Senate yesterday: "Of course, If Rod
riguezs statements are substantiated- -that
is, II the Maritime Canal Company has
forfeited it's concession. it is hardly likely
that the Congress of the United States
would vote loan to the enterprise Per-
sonally, l have opposed the bill and have
always thought it violated the spirit IL not
the letter, of the concession granted by
Nicaragua. The concession provided that
no outside government should control or
dominate the canal. This bill practically
places the canal under the control and pro-
lection of the United States government" I"