The San Francisco call., 1899-11-25
THE PANAMA CANAL AGAIN.
= ONGREssMAN HEPBURN OF Iowa, who as

! = CONGRESSMAN HEPBURN OF Iowa, who as
Il chairman OF the House Committee on Inter
- state and Foreign Commerce had charge OF the
Nicaragua canal bill in the last Congress- is reported
TO have stated recently that he would introduce
canal bill in this Congress the first day OF the
sion and push it to action.
In making this statement Mr. Hepburn did not
overlook the opposition likely to come from the sup
porters OF the Panama project. On the contrary he
admitted that obstacles would be put in the way by
that company since it is clear that if the Nicaragua
canal be constructed the Panama venture will col
lapse and all the money expended on it and invested
in it be lost Nevertheless Mr.. Hepburn stands firmly
in favor OF the Nicaragua route and OF prompt action
by our Government He would have that action
taken moreover, without reference to the claims of
the Maritime Canal Company, the Cragn-Ey syn
dicate or other companies claiming concessions from
the Nicaraguan Government. In fact he said: For
my part | do not think the United States need
bother about any OF these concessions. l have no
doubt that Costa Rica and Nicaragua will be glad to
give the United States any territory and any rights
it may need to prosecute and complete the canal"
Such statements, a matter OF course aroused the
Panama people, and they have been prompt to make
reply. The New York Times, for example after
quoting what Mr.. Hepburn said about obtaining ter
rtory and rights from Costa Rica and Nicaragua
said:
so it appears that some work is to be done in the
field OF diplomacy before any canal be undertaken
by the United States. Meanwhile there is a commits
sion at work under the authority OF Congress nves-
tigang the whole question OF an inter-oceanic canal
with authority to expend a million dollars, if neces-
sary and with instructions to take the Panama canal
into consideration. The Panama company has Of
fered to complete its canal within specified time and
TO sell controlling interest in it to the United States
after it is finished, without any risk to us This offer
Is OF the things to be reported by the inves-
eating commission Now would it not be well to wait
for this report before introducing and pushing new
bill in Congress which is TO involve so large an ex-
penditure OF money? The country is quite in earnest
about sthmian canal and is rich enough to pay for
one, but the question OF more or less pay more or
less labor more less time in securing it, ought TO
be considered open until the commission makes its
report"
There is unquestonaby much reason in the argu-
stated by the Times, but it reopens the whole
issue and will have the effect OF indefinitely postpon
ing the construction OF the canal Sooner or later
the be decided and this winter is as good
a time any to do it. 1t appears that our Govern
ment get almost any concessions it desires from
either Nicaragua Panama, and all that is needed
now IS for Congress to determine what shall be done
That question can Just well be decided this winter
winter 1t is therefore gratifying to know that
Hepburn will introduce his bill and push it vgor-
ousy. II the Panama people have any definite propo
sition to make let it be made without delay The
people OF the United States are not particular whether
the canal be at Panama or Nicaragua All thev ask
that the waterway be provided and that it be under
the control OF the Government of the United States.
undisurbed by foreign interference but they wish ac
ton taken this winter