Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-03-23

Panama Canal, project through which
the poor people of France have already |
been robbed of millions and scandal
created which, for a time. threatened
the existence Of the French republic,
and which caused Ferdinand de Les
seps to end his days under the shadow
of disgrace, that is worthy Of more than
a passing notice. Senator Frye found
out while he was in Paris as a Peace
Commissioner, that the managers Of the
Panama canal company, intended to
make the attempt to get control OF the
United States Congress, for the purpose
of getting legislation in favor Of the
Panama canal, and. Of course, big pile
of Uncle Sans good dollars. The
scheme succeeded to the extent of get
ting legislation tor commission to IN
vestigate both the Panama and Nicara-
qua routes, work which Senatore Frye
points out was done by committee of
which he was a member, more than
twenty years ago. The next move in
the scheme is free trip given to such
Senators and Representatives as will 60
for the alleged purpose Of investigating
and inspecting the canal routes. The
trip is to last month and the steam
ship that will carry the party will be
furnished with everything good to eat
and drink, and no money will be &C
cepted from passengers. Senator Frye
says he refused the most urgent invita-
tions to join this junket, and intimates
his belief that some of those who &C
cepted will live to regret having done
80.
One mans prophecy is on general
principles worth about as much notice
as another's, but here is prophecy
made by Capt. Thos. H. Mckee, jour-
nal Clerk of the House, who thinks
himself and is thought by many others
to be high authority upon the drift of
political events. Capt. Mckee says:
VI prophecy that inside of two years
Cuba will be annexed to the United
States. Business interests in the island
will urge such action. The Cubans are
entirely without revenues, and should
they be left to govern themselves, they
would proceed to tax foreign corpora
tions out of existence"
Let those who are short on faith make
a little study of the payment Of 5000,
900 to Cuban soldiers; it is an object
Lesson on faith, from start to finish. To
start with, Congress had so much faith
in the President that it appropriated
100000 to be spent at his discretion;
then the President had faith enough
In Hon. Robt P. Porter to send him to
dicker with Gen. Gomez, Commander
in Chief of the Cuban army, for the dis.
bandment of the army, and offer to dis.
tribute the 5000, 900 among the SOL
djers, if they would return to peaceful
occupations. Gomez has so much faith
In the offer that he accepted it, although
only verbally made, on behalf of the
Cubaps, and in return this government
showed its confidence in him by making
his O. K. the oG!v thing that would
enable Cuban soldier to draw his share
of the money. It has been decided
that each man who served in the Cuban
army previous to the signing of the
protocol between Spain and the United
States, whether as private or officer, will
be given 800 upon surrender Of his
arms and signing of the pay roll ap-
proved by Gen. Gomez. The United
States government has so much faith in
the Cubans that it will not require these
men to either take an oath of allegiance
or obligate themselves not to take up
arms against us. If that isn't real faith,
pray what is it? Acting Secretary of
War Meiklejohn says the administra-
tion intends that Cuba shall repay this
money out of its revenues, but there will
be nothing indicating such an intention
connected with the payment, which is to
begin at once, not a scrap Of writing
showing that the money is loaned. Mr..
Meiklejohn also made the interesting
statement that Gen. Gomez would not
receive cent of this money, which has
set many minds to wondering where
Gomez got the money he Is now splurg.
ing with in Havana.
AS o7IA,