The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-04-19
NICARAGUA CANAL.
President Agrees that the Project Is
Really a Worthy One, but
ACTION MUST BE DELAYED.
Hepburn and Others Are Becoming I'm.
patient at lnaction.
HE Will ASK FOR A SPECIAL RULE
ToF ersny '-allou from Its Pro-
Ss''' - ;i:. S.
CONGRESS WOULD QUCkL. - de BILL
Providing for the Construction OF
the Canal If II Could Only
Get the Chance.
HE WILL ASK FOR A SPECIAL RULE

Washington, April 1s.--The State dele
cation in congress from the Pacific coast
called on President Mckinley in behalf
of the Nicaraguan canal project, The
president assured them that he was earn
estly in favor OF the canal, but thought it
would now be wise TO wait until the
Walker commission should report, He
made no particular point about the Hay
Pauncefote treaty.
thekl1s A special to rilr A,eNY- "
New York. April 1s.-A special to the
Tribune from Washington says: Hepburn
of the committee on interstate and foreign
commerce. and other advocates in the
house of representatives Of immediate leg
islation to provide for the construction OF
the proposed Nicaraguan canal, have he
come exceedingly impatient on account OF
what they regard as unreasonable delay,
and they are threatening TO make the situ-
alton interesting. as well as unpleasant for
those who they believe are exerting their
efforts ard influence for further delay, be-
cause OF their hostility TO the project it
self
The Hepburn bill was fayorably reported
to the house two months ago. Since that
time the Hay Pauncefote treaty has been
signed and is now pending in the senate
for ratification, with little or no prospect
for favorable action until next winter, II
ever. The preliminary report of the Walk
4 er commission has not yet been made and
submitted to congress, and probably VIII
not be for some time 10 come.
| vexed by the delay and the untoward
| prospects, the advocates Of the bill are
trying to force its consideration and pass
! age by the house at this session. Chair
man Hepburn has already obtained an
4 imposing array Of signatures to paper
requesting the committee on rules to bring
in special order providing for the con
sideration Of the bill at an early date, to
be specified. and for vote on the bill and
all amendments thereto on day and hour
also to be specified.
| lie is confident that such an order
would he adpotcd by an over
whcIminR majority, ana there II
every reason 10 nciieve that his con-
/ tidcncc tx justified. There liz eGuri-
~ good reason to believe that the
hill would pass the house ns re-
ported ny the committee by n large
majority.
It is intimatod however. that the men,
hers of the committee on rules, as well as
other influential leaders Of the majority III
either branch Of congress, are strongly OF
the opinion that the measure in Its pres
emit form ought not TO be passed at this
session.
One of the objections most strongly
urged is the provision requiring the sec
rotary OF war 10 build such fortifcations
} as may be necessary for the defence and
protection Of the canal and the harb0s
at the termini Some OF the more radical
advocates Of the measure including, it
is understood. Chairman Hepburn himsslf,
do not regard this objection as yalii
one and argue that II removed some other
one would be Immediately advanced and
urged with equal energy
They vigorously assert that the
othc- Influences and motives than
amy which are apparent ON the sur
face and that the actual springs OF
oppositIon are deeply and CUNNING
~ hidden.
one of these. they are convinced is the
Panama canal interest, which they say,
. Is making desperate efforts TO prevent
or postpone action until that interest mas
been properly cared for In the course
Of conversation today, in relation to ths
subject a member Of the COMMITTEES WA"
shares the belief and opinions OF chair-
man Hepburn in regard to II declared ID
substance that tine Palama eanai inter
est was playing for the biggest STAKE Oh
thu century; that It's custoiians reaiizea
fun well that no more than one iHsoi
oceanic canal would ever connect the Az
lIaptic and the Pacific and that the ppild-
ing of the Nicaragua canal would mean
the utter and total loss OF every uoiiAf
that had been expended a. Panama -
well as OF every dime Invested IN ths
Panama franchise and shares
Another advocate OF Immediate actioh'
who felt somewhat gloomy over the pros
poet, remarked: II am in favor OF sinoA-
ing these fellows cgt-not only those WAC
have or profess to have paid out their
eood money to obtain control OF the Fan
ANA interests. but also those VINO are
trying to hamper and prevent tne sue
cess Of legislation which will result IN .