The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-02

4 want" Mr. Hepburn said. "and
think the American people want at
American canal. which can. if necessary
discriminate in favor Of our own people
giving our commerce the advantage Ovei
the commerce OF other countries. We are
entering upon the most intense contest in
the history OF time. and It Is the intention
OF the American people that they shall
have their full share Of the worlds COM
merce. / want the canal, when completed
under our control. ! DO not want our
hands tied before we enter the contest"
Mr. Clark Of Missouri interrupted 10
ask: IF we pass this bill and the Senate
then ratifes the Hay Pauncefote Treaty,
the provisions or which conflict with it,
which would take precedence"
Mr.. Hepburn replied, Il do not know.
II they absolutely conflict the law would
be superior to that treaty
No, no." said a number Of members.
II We decide 10 protect the canal the
Hay -Pauncefote Treaty would give Eng
land the same rights" declared Mr.. Clark.
Il am afraid. said Mr. Hepburn, that
such action would be unfortunate for the
provisions Of the bill But if the House Of
Representatives by an overwhelming vote
declares the policy OF the American people
TO be for an American canal, untrammeled
by entangling alliances. no one in the
United States would dare say nay. ZAP
plause.l l do not think there is any dis
position by the Administration TO thwart
the will Of the American people" Zap
plause.l
DO you think the same legislative body
would pass this bill and ratify the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty." enquired Mr.. Mann
Of Illinois
Certainly not"
If it is not the intention to press the
Hay Pauncefote Treaty why is it not
withdrawn" asked Mr.. Clark.
We must not stop now for fear Of some
thing in the future answered Mr.. Hep
bum.
II you viii put that word 'fortify back
In the bill it will have the unanimous vote
Of this side" returned MIR. Clark
Mr.. Hepburn responded: Il do not think
the changes the committee consented to
make in the interests of harmony, as we
supposed. make any radical difference in
the bill"
Do you think the Clayton Bulwer
Treaty can be abrogated by an act of Con-
gress ." asked Mr.. Doliver.
4 do. II would be better were the abro-
cation to be arranged through the State
Department, but l entertain no doubt of
our power to abrogate it by legislation in
consistent with its continuance"
Mr.. Terry OF Arkansas. interrupting,
gave a dissertation on the Clayton Bulwer
Treaty which brought from Mr.. Hepburn
the query whether he or Mr.. Terry were
making a speech The latter apOlogized
for mOnopolizing the time. and a laugh
was raised when Mr. Hepburn said he cnly
asked out Of idle curiosity.
The committee rising. informally. the
Sneaker qrnrfrwnad 10 cf NJ the
President Of the Porto Rican resolutions.
Advocated by sbackIefOrd.
Mr.. Shackleford Of Missouri advocated
The bill with the exception that he wished
10 fortify the canal. He announced that
be was as much in favor OF constructing
he canal. and constructing It Immediately.
Is was the gentleman CMr Hepburn who
had just taken his seat.
Replying to a question by Mr. Clark. Mr..
said the word ''fortify" was
stricken out Of the bill in order to satisfy
hose partisans OF the Administration
who desires to parallel British policy in
N particulars. II canal was to be built
md controlled by British influence. in
Gods name" said Mr.. Shacklefor5. let
Great Britain put up the money for it,
The United States had to fear Great
Britain alone. this old robber OF the sea
Who had for this country the same senti-
nents that she entertained for Paul Kru-
ger" Mr. Shacklefcrd said he was in
ayor Of an open. bold and just deelara-
ion Of the contention for which they stood
" the representatives OF the people on the
iOcr Of this House The imperialists on
he other side OF the House. he said, I
wanted the country to give up its doctrine
Z isolation and the Monroe Doctrine.
The bill was further advocated by Mr. I
-overing Of Massachusetts, The time had I
zone by, he said. for talking upon the sub |
ect OF a Nicaragua Canal. The prelimi- 4
lary work had all been done. and it was I
to note the unanimity wb+ch /
marked the reports Of the several sur 1
-eying parties. These had all been con- 1
rmed by the Walker Commission. whose .
eport was made on the 9th Of March, 4
his year. It was not a party question,
administration after Administration had .
recommended the construction of an inter- (
ceanic canal. Il had first been suggested I
n 1929. and had been exploited ever since.
Z the time had not now arrived for the /
obstruction of the canal il never would
ONE. There was no part of the United f
Jates which would not be benefited by 4
he construction Of the canal We had
cached the time when the next thing to
o was to build The canal. The people .
ant it. and they want it now.
Mr.. Fletcher Of Minnesota. a member Of .
be Committee on Interstate and Foreign
expressed his regret that he /
as not In accord with the other members
the committee. lie did not desire TO act 1
D the canal matter until the report Of the .
-alker Commission had been made to Con-
ress. He thought no action should be
iken on the subject. He favored the con-
ruction OF a canal. as did the residents
the district which he represented. but he
lought it was bad policy to go on with
ut waiting for the report Of the Walker
ommission, so that the House may know
.hich was the best route to follow
MIR. Burton's Argument
He yielded his time to Mr. Burton of .
hio. who opposed the passage Of the bill. /
Ie opposed it for the reason that in his /
plnion. it violated treaties entered into
nd would tend to delay if not defeat. the
of the canal. Three questions /
rose in the consideration OF the matter. he
8id-hrst, shall the United States or pri- I
ate enterprise control the canal? second. /
be route; third shall the canal be neu-
-al?
AS to the first question. Mr. Burton said
hat he individually favored Government
1ntrol The matter OF the route occupied
luch OF Mr.. Burton's time. He said that
y this bill the House was saying that it
new without the aid OF the judgment and
nowledge Of experts the best canal route
} the tropics. three thousand miles away
After comparing the advantages Of the
anama and Nicaragua routes. Mr.. Burton
aid that In his opinion the Walker Com