The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-07
scheme. to defeat the Canal.

Friends of the American Isthmian Canal
proposition only need to watch the Admin
istration press, and several newspapers in
the interest of tie Panama syndicate, TO
realize the nature and extent OF the fight
which will be made in the Senate from
now until the adjournment Of Congress
to prevent action on the Hepburn
Morgan Nicaragua Canal bill. In a
New York organ of the latter cate
CORY the statement was made yesterday
that it is not certain the Isthmian Com
mission will strongly endorse the Near
aqua route over that at Panama; that the
Panama company has yet four years under
its old. and six years more under a new,
concession, or ten years in ALL in which
to complete the work; and that members of
the Isthmian Commission say the Panau a
waterway will be easily completed within
that time, and can be finished at a cost
probably less than that required to build
the Nicaragua Canal"
There is a strong suggestion in the fore
going Of the real interest of the Admins
tration In the Isthmian subject, as well as
of one of the means to which it will re-
sort IN OFCer 10 lnTollle the hepburn
Morgan bill In the first place. unless
Rear Admiral Walker and his associates
on the commission are more open to exc
cutive coercion than we believe them to be,
their report will net only endorse the
Nicaragua route without any qualification
whatever, but will treat the Panama
scheme as unscientidc and impracticabIe
1t is well enough known that this state
ment represents the conclusions TO which
the commissioners arrived on or before
their return to the country. and after most
careful and thorough investigation. AS
they are men of Independent character and
high professional standing, it is hardly
TO be supposed that they can be Magooned
into formulating opinions" which they
may or may no; believe IN. according to
the views and interests of the Admins
trstion, or OF its Panama syndicate part
ners, as the same may exist or change from
time to time. But, the report will not
be ready for publication before next
winter, it is possible for enemies of the
American canal to make what assertions
they please, although those they are likely
10 indulge in will not receive much cred
euce. Certainly, no Senator or citizen
who has any knowledge OF the subject will
believe that any member OF the commits
sion has said or will say that the de
Lesseps ditch can be constructed for less
money than the Nicaragua Canal. or that
It could be finished in shorter time. I'm
fortunately for the people who are care
less enough to utter such statements
which equally reflect upon the ability and
integrity Of the Walker Commission, the
actual o. uions Of its members are fully
known to enough of our public men to
render the SANDER harmless
There have been stISendous Jobs In poll
tics in recent years. but they have been
only sprats compared with the Panama
whale. which is swimming under cover Of
the fight against the Hepburn Morgan bill.
HanrHS substitute for that measure. pre-
scented in the House BY his man Burton, Is
sufficient evidence on the point. One has
oniy to resi- its provisions. and then to
remember who compose the Panama syndi
cate in this country, TO ind ample reason
for the struggle agains, an American canal
and against any canal by the Nicaragua
route
The -panncefote Treaty is phi: for
ward as bar to an American Nicaragua
Canal. and in the insidious way Of making