Evening star., 1897-01-28
NICARAGUA CANAL BILL
Will Probably Be Recommitted to Senator
Morgan's Special Committee.
Senator Sherman's IntfmatiOn of n
New Treaty to BE Negotiated
With Nicaragua.

A crisis in the debate on The Nicaragua
canal bill was reached in the Senate late
yesterday. 1t brought out an energetic
statement from Senator Sherman in which
he foreshadowed a new treaty by which
the United States could build the canal
without the intermediation OF a private
concession. The senator declared that this
governmental execution of the project was
the only feasible one and that all private
efforts in that direction lad proved fail
ures. During the debate on the bill Mr..
Sherman declared that Mr.. Mcrgan's fears
and charges against English conspiracy
were a "bugaboo.'' The senator added,
speaking with deep earnestaess: My
honorable friend drew England in, and
whenever there is a bugahoo to be pre-
sented England is brought before us. The
Senate of the United States does not fear
England or any other power, and the peo-
pie of the United States do not fear Eng
land We have had two wars with Eng
land, long since past, and hope that war
with England will never occur again. The
two nations ought never to fight each other
They ought always 20 be friendly. Great
Britain Is more and more following the
example of the American people of having
a government for the people. OF the people,
by the people, and believe the time is not
far distant when Great Britain will be as
free as we are. In many OF their late pro-
dac
and nearer to the rule of the people in
their country; and but for the Irish QueS-
ton, 1 have no doubt that they would ap-
proach much nearer"
Mr.. White (Cal.) asked Mr.. Sherman II he
had not made a favorable report on a bill
similar to the pending one.
Mr.. Sherman conceded that he had but
said it had now became apparent that the
private canal company could not carry out
the project.
Mr.. Morgan said the statement of Mr..
Sherman. who was about to become
premier, was ex catnedra. 1t indicated a
purpose to revive the old Frel!nghuysen
treaty with Nicaragua, but Mr.. Morgan
gave warning that when that treaty came
to the Senate 1t would meet with serious
objection unless it fully protected the rights
of the American citizens who had secured
a concession and had formed a private
company. 1t would be found at that time
that there were still men in the Senate Ge-
| termined to protect the rights of American
citizens
Mr.. Villas moved to recommit the bill to
| the committee on foreign relations.
''If the senator QMorgan) desires it re-
committed to the special committee of
which he Is chairman, add ed Mr.. Villas,
Il will change my notion"
'"The senator (himselD has no choice be-
tween insults" responded Mr.. Morgan with
evident feeling.
Mr. Villas answered that no possible in
suit could be meant by the motion he had
made, and he did not believe the Senate
would be deferred from doing what 1t con-
| ceived to be it's duty by the suggestion OF
the senator that it would be ar affront to
| him.
| Mr.. Aidrich R. ~ said the motion to
| recommit was plain proposition to kill the
| bill, and he urged against such a course.
| To be sure, the senator from Ohio (Sher-
| nlan) had said: II will negotiate treaty"
Mr.. Sherman quickly interposed, saying
| Il did not say that
| Mr.. Aldrich insisted that the plain mean
/ ing of Mr.. Sherman's words was tina; d
new treaty would be negotiated. But he
| warned the Ohio senator that serious OBJ
| stacles were in the way of such plan and
| he believed that the death of the present
| bill would end the prospect for the eXecu-
| tion of the project.
| Mr.. Aldrich said he agreed With the SEN
| ator from Alabama (Morgan) that 1t was an
insult to refer the bill to another committee
| and in consideration of the long and emf
| nent service of the Alabama senator Mr.
Aldrich protested against such a recon.
| initial.
Mr.. Villas at once changed his motion sc
| that the recommittal, If carried, would be
| to the committee Of which Mr.. Morgan is
chairman.
At this moment Mr.. German suddenly
dissipated the gathering storm by a motion
| to adjourn, which prevailed, 2S-21, and the
| Villas motion went over.