The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-23
lively DAT IN SENATE
Letter From Central American Minis
ters Causes Hot Debate.
Senator Morgan Resents In
terference.



washington. Jan. 23.-Yesterday's .
proceedings Of the senate were intensely
Interesting. and at times sensational.
Sherman created quite sensation by
presenting and having read q communi-
cation from the minister Of the Greater
| Republic Of Central America to the Sec
retary of state. which had been trans
| mitted by Secretary Olney. The commu-
nication criticised the pending Nicara-
qua canal bill In various particulars,
and pointed out certain objections which
In his opinion would render them nuga-
tory. The communication was signed by
]. d. Rodriguez.
AS soon as the communication had
been read Morgan took the floor. He
said the communication had come before
the senate In proper form. because II
came through the state department; but
the senate had no knowledge who the
signer was: did not even know ofilcially
of the existence Of the great republic
O. Central America" "Rodriguez Is the
accredited representative here Of that
republic" interrupted Mr.. Sherman.
IT understand" replied Morgan. that
he has been received by the diplomatic
corps, but this Is our first knowledge
that such q government exists. The
president In receiving this representa-
tive Of the diet distinctly informed him.
as we learn from the newspapers, that
our relations with the peoples OF the
governments he represented would be
in no wise affected"
Morgan said the British government
was interested In counteracting the pur-
poses of the United States as
to Nicaragua. He had SO ex-
pressed his conviction to the
secretary Of state. British railway lines
had been established across the isthmus
for the distinct purpose of securing ex-
elusive control OF this isthmus commune
cation. This belief was confirmed by re-
cent developments.
Turning 10 the letter from Minister
Rodriguez, the senator exclaimed:
Great Britain is using that diet as q
catspaw for the purpose of driving us
out of the isthmus. That is a serious
statement, but I make Ii deliberately in
the United States senate and ii demands
an answer. That answer must be given
before there is any ratification Of this
new arbitration treaty"
Morgan said ii was an unusual thing
that the minister for this new republic
should send such a communication. If
these governments desired to forfeit any
concessions they should do it, and then
the American congress would determine
If there should have been a violation OF
contract rights given to American citi-
zens.
Senator Hale interposed the sugges-
ton that Minister Rodriguez letter
seemed TO raise grave question as to
whether the measure under consider
alton could proceed. Whether this could
be explained or not he was not able to
say, but he asked Morgan. In charge of
the bill. as 10 the status since the pres
entation OF this letter.
Other senators interposed questions
aid intense interest was shown in the
appearance OF the unexpected letter.
White asked IL there was a minister
from Nicaragua.
Morgan explained the diplomatic stat
us. Nicaragua was formerly represent
ed by a minister, DR.. Guzman, but he
had gone. Nicaragua had entered the
Central American republic, and this lat
ter union had sent Minister Rodriguez
to represent it at Washington.
This Is an impertinent intrusion,
thrust In our face while the senate is
seeking to settle the isthman question"
Morgan favored making Nicaragua
live up to her contract and concessions.
Until lately she had favored American
construction of the canal. And yet she
comes here with two other Central
American countries. and raised objec-
tions which, II held to be good would
end the prospect of American con-
troll Of the Nicaragua canal. The
American people would not quietly give
up the right to control that great water
way, whatever clamor may be raised for
q peace treaty with Great Britain. The
presentation Of this letter coming from
the secretary of state, meant that the
president OF the United States had de-
termined that the pending Nicarasuan
canal bill was not to be allowed to pass.
That was remarkable threat, and yet
Ii was so in line with previous executive
action that Mr.. Morgan said he felt
quite prepared for the interference.
Morgan said that the real cause for
the appearance OF this Rodriguez letter
was that IL proposed a renewal OF the
Frelfnghuysen-S -Savalla treaty, by which
we were to pay Nicaragua $4,000, 100.
Does Nicaragua wish TO handle that
H,00o,0O0?" inquired Morgan, sugges-
lively.
The senator believed this was the real
motive for the appearance Of the letter.
Morgan said the pending bill proposed
to submit to the government of Mic
aragua the question whether Il would
accept the contract, but Nicaragua had
no right to come here and attempt to
interfere with our action by saying that
the bill would violate treaty. II she did
not desire to accept the contract she
could reject IL. IL the position of Mic
aragua, as presented by this communi-
cation, could be sustained, II would
enable her to go to Great Britain with
the proposition she desired to press here
on the United States.
Morgan said the letter Of Rodriguez
was I'm effect a notice to the senate not
to pass the Nicaragua canal bill. with
this threat Haunted In our faces" and
the Anglo-American treaty standing
ahead OF us, the United States senate
might as well close its work and sur
| render the functions as to accept the
views OF this minister. about whom the
senate knows nothing.