The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-10
NEW CANAL COMMISSION
REAR ADMIRAL WALKER AND 9TH
ERS APPOINTED.
VIII Determine the Most Feasible
Route Across Isthmus of Panama
The Alaskan Dispute.


tical route for a canal across the isthmus
of Panama: Rear Admiral John c. Walker.
L. S. N. Hon. Samuel Pasco, of Florida;
Alfred Noble. c. E.. of Illinois; George S.
Morrison, c. E., of New York; Col. Peter
C. Hams, U. S. A: Prof. VIM. H. Burr, of
Connecticut; Lieut.. Col Oswald H. Ernst.
U. S. A; Louis M. Haupt, c. E., OF Penn
sylvania: Prof Emory r. Johnson. of Penn
sylvania.
Admiral Walker, who is at the hea0 OF
the commission, said that he will call the
members together at the earliest practicable
moment The rainy season is now on In
Panama and Nicara qua. but, nevertheless,
1t is extremely likely that the committee
will proceed forthwith to a personal inspec-
ton Of the routes and divide up the work
so as to make an early report to Congress
possible.
Rear Admiral Walker, Colonel Hams and
Mr. Haupt are members of the present
Nicaraugan canal commission. Senator
Pasco, of Florida, is qualified in many
ways for duty the commission. George
s. Morrison has been president of the So
ciety of Civil Engineers. Alfred Noble was
formerly member of one of the canal COM
missions and has been engaged in many
large engineering undertakings. Colonel
Ernst was formerly superintendent of the
Military Academy. Professor Burr is the
head of the department of engineering of
| Columbia University New York. and has
had large engineering experiences.
Prof. Emory r. Johnson, of the Univer-
| sity Of Pennsylvania. was appointed because
the President has felt that the economic and
commercial side of the investigation into
| the proposed canal routes is one of it's most
important features, and in selecting Pro-
lessor Johnson has acceded to the recon-
mendations and wishes of many prominent
commercial organizations.
Up to the close of business hours at the
State Department to-day no word had come
from London to indicate that the modus
vivendi relative to the Alaskan boundary
had been signed The technical state of the
case is that the British and American
sides had agreed upon the principles, as it
was supposed, that should govern in the ar
rangement of the modus vivendi. This was
based on a proposition emanating from the
British side in its last stage. This PROPOSE
| ton was acceptable to the United States,
| but in some points ii was so vague as to
warrant the apprehension that 1t might
contain within 1T the germs of a disagree
ment in the not distant future. Therefore,
| in accepting the British proposition in prin-
| ciple. the United States specifically defined
| these points In a manner to remove any
possibility of doubt in construction. If the
British government accepts this precise
statement, the modus vivendi will be an ac-
complished fact, and upon this acceptance
our government waits. 1t may come at any
moment. and 1t Is subject to delay If there
| Is further reference to Canada.
| The settlement. If it proves to be that,
| is viewed with much satisfaction by off,
| Gals. although they say it is short of what
was most hoped fora complete and final
settlement of the boundary controversy.
The present plan merely seeks to avert
possible clash between the dangerous bor-
| der element. but, 1t Is stated, also will help
along the final delimtations and, perhaps
may be accepted later by the two govern
ments the basis for the treaty delimit-
ing the boundary or the modus yiyendi
| might be allowed to run along indefinitely
though 1T is preferred to meet the question
OF Ola permanent settlement squarely and
fully at once by direct negotiations between
! the two governments and remove this
| stumbling block from the high joint COM
| mission which, with the boundary dispute
eliminated. probably can agree on the many
| other important subjects before ii, includ-
Ing alien immigration, reciprocity, lake
iantic fisheries. etc The high commissions i
reassembling is likely to be postponed until
next autumn or early winter.
| The Navy Department is looking for news
from the United States steamer Newark.
The cruiser sailed from Montevideo, Uru-
quay, on the 18th of last month, bound for
Valparaiso, Chile, and is now some days
| overdue. The distance by way Of the Straits
| OF Magellan, which was the route prescribed
for the ship. is little less than 5000 miles
The only stop on the way by the usual
course is ct Punta Arenas, In the Straits
where coal Is taken. but there Is no cable
connection there Secretary Long positive
ly declared that he had no doubt of the
safety OF the ship, though it was possible
that she had been delayed through some
untoward conditions. At the Navigation
Bureau Lieut.. Ward called attention to the
fact that the winter season was just begin
ming in the southern hemisphere, bringing
heavy fogs and bad weather. She was
bound from Hampton Reads for the Pacific
station. though it was generally understood
that when she arrived at Valparaiso, or
America, she was to get her orders to turn
westward and proceed to Apia. 1t is prob
able, however, that the occasion for her
presence at Apia has now disappeared and
the orders will not go forward
American producers are already finding
| an enlarged market in Cuba. Porto Rico.
Hawaii and the Philippines. The figures of
| the Treasury Bureau of Statistics, just is
sued, indicate that the exports of the fiscal
| year which ends with this month will show
a larger expectation to Hawaii and the Phil
| iprines than ever before. and larger to Cuba
and Porto Rico than in any previous year
except those in which the reciprocity fea-
| lures of the Mckinley law were in opera
| ending April 90 1899 We're so per cent. in ex-
| cess of those of the corresponding months
| of 1888. and more than double those of the
| same months In the fiscal year 1897. To
Porto Rico, the exports are 80 per cent in
| excess of the corresponding months of last
year. and to Hawaii the exports of the ten
! months are 81 per cent. in excess of those
of the corresponding months of 1897. To the
| Philippines. the exports. despite the con-
| tinuous war conditions, are three times as
much as in the corresponding months of any
preceding year. The total exports TO Cuba
/ Porto Rico, Hawaii and the Philippines in
| the full fiscal year which ends with this
| month will reach about $30.coo000, against
$17.O 600 last year.
| To-day's statement of the condition of the
| treasury shows: Available cash balance.
| s271 ,s54, 400; gold reserve, s2s3,1162ls.
| Major Russell B. Harrison. inspector gem
| eral United States volunteers, is ordered TO
proceed from Havana to Santiago Cuba;
and report to the commanding general of
| Santiago for duty as inspector general of
| that department
Drs. Oliver James. ]. c. Clifford and c. NJ.
| Pell were to-day appointed pension exam
lining surgeons at Brazil; Ind.
Secretary Longs decision yesterday to
| purchase $500 armor for four monitors and
|