The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1899-02-21

OFFICIAL TO TIE rREss.l
Washington, Feb. o.-1he contest 10
push through the Nicaragua canal project
1T this session of Congress bids fair TO be
the most prominent issue from now TO
the Fourth Of March, when the Congress
ends. powerful and well organized
lobby is at work, and all the interests
that would be related to the expenditure
of SO many millions are using every effort
In behalf of the project. Added TO these
influences, there is another, more power
full still, which consists in the widespread
public sentiment that the canal would
be good thing for the nation.
These are the influences which make
for the Immediate passage of the bill.
They are very potent with the average
Senators and Congressman; and there is
serious question whether they win not
be sufficient to over vhelm the courageous
and statesmanlike efforts of those who
believe the matter should not be acted on
during this Congress.
| The desirability of the canal Is generally
admitted on all sides, and the impression
seems to be general that American money
will build It. But there are certain very
important considerations which are
against Immediate consideration:
|. There are no accurate and complete
surveys yet made. Going ahead without
such surveys was one Of the potent causes
of the ruin of De Lesseps's enterprises at
| Panama.
9. The estimates of the probable cost
are too largely IN the nature of oonjeot-
ures, there being difference of many
millions of dollars tetwt en- the highest
and lowest estimates.
3. There Is strong probability that
the only measure that could pass now
would involve partnership between
private parties and the government An
arrangement discredited forever by the
Pacific Railroad scandals.
T. Tho time between now and the end
of the session is too short to consider
proposition of such stupendous magnitude
involving AS it does the expenditure
of at least Sll5, 900, 900.
.. With the present prospect of q deficit
of nearly two hundred millions of dollars
at least In the national treasury in the
next two years. 1t is the maxim of pru.
dent craftsmanship to go slowly.
Y These reasons are the powerful consider
ations which are causing the opposition
to the present consideration of the propo
sition. The friends of the bill are trying
transcontinental railway lines are the
causes of opposition. This is not So 1t
is merely a bugaboo conjured up to help
the canal project. The transcontinental
lines may or may not oppose; but their
influences does not figure here. The only
corporate influence especially obtrusive
here Is the Maritime Canal Company Of
Nicaragua, which does not favor the
proposition that the United States build
the canal alone, but is helping 1t along in
the hope that before a bill Is finally
passed 1t may be modified so as TO give
the Canal Company finger in the rich
pie.
The present inadequacy of the surveys
and estimates is not at all matter of
dispute. The chamI ion of the canal In
the House. MIR. Hepburn, of Iowa, ex-
planned the delay of his committee in
bringing the bill into the House by say
ing that the preliminary surveys had not
yet lsen published. and that some OF the
surveying parties had not yet left the
isthmus. What bushes man of sense
would think Of embarking his capital in
an enterprise before the examination as
10 its feasibility had been completed, I'M
til he should know as accurately as posi-.
| BILE what the cost would bef And yeC the
| Governm snt of the United States is asked
| to plunge headlong into an enterprise OF
| stupendous magnitude. to bird the gov
eminent itself for the undertaking. on
|
lished and upon survey for which the
engineers are yet collecting data in the
| jungles of Nicaragua.
such proposition would be laughed
out of Congress at any other time than
at the end OF a successful war, when pub
| lie sentiment is SO attracted by the glitter
| OF military triumph and with the absorb
| ing tasks of disposing of conquests
The Panama scandal, which took the
hard earned money of the people of
France, discredited the honored name OF
| De Lesseps. outlawed SO many concerned
| in 1t, and Threatened even the government
| Of France, is "a standing warning against
precipitation In this great matter.
And yet there seems to be "a chance that
the project may get through Congress at
this session. The House kept 1t down.
after honorable contest during which
al attempt was made to railroad the bill
over the rules. II there were time and
no appropriation bills in the way the bill
could get through under the rules, pro-
vided IL could muster votes enough. The
trouble with measures that are kept from
passing by the rules is generally that
there are not votes enough behind them.
The rules give way for passing any bill
that can muster majority of votes pro-
vided OF course the way be not blocked by
the supply bills of the government, which
necessarily sreigiven first place.
But tbs Senate committee have put the
Nlchrh2uh canal proJrct unto tne River
and Harbor bill which the House sent TO
the Senate several days ago. Of course
the bill will have to come back with this
amendment il the Senate adopts what its
committee recommend. AS TO what the
House will do, and what the result will
be, il one of the burning problems of the
next two weeks
An attempt has been made to scare Con-
gress into action by statements that IL we
DO not go ahead at once other, nations
will. Germany is the favorite bug bear,
England not being available for use in
| this character since we are no longer
twisting the lions tail. IL Is safe TO say
that no nation of Europe is hanging
around Nicaragua, looking for chance
to spend u hundred millions of dollars
and get into troubls with the United
States at the same time.
| Ron