The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-07
MORGAN TALKS FOR THE CANAL.
he Discusses the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty Be
fore the Senate.
(By he Associated Press.)

4
Washington Dec 6-The Senate was in
executive session for more than four
hours today. the entire time being de-
voted to the discussion by Senator Nor
gan of the Hay Pauncefote Treaty for
the abrogation of the portion of the
Clayton Bulwer Treaty which relates to
the Nicaragua Canal.
The Senator made it very plain that
while he was not opposed to the pending
treaty in almost any form, his main
concern is for the passage of the Canal
Bill but as a majority of Senators would
insist upon action upon the treaty as
condition precedent he was willing to
discuss the treaty. He intimated private
ly to other Senators. however. that he
would not consent to the fixing of a time
for vote upon the treaty until there
also could be time fixed for like ac-
ton upon the Nicaraguan Canal Bill.
He said it was competent for the
United States to proceed with the build
ing of the canal regardless of the treaty
or of Great Britain's wishes in the mat
ter
Discussing the question of the fortifca
ton of the canal, Senator Morgan argued
strenuously against it both as nexpedi
ent and unnecessary. He contended that
Great Britain was not the only power
whose interests would be affected by
provision for fertilization, and said that
Nicaragua and Costa Rica had a right to
be considered in that connection. Furth-
ermore, in case of war everybody knew
that the canal would be protected to the
fullest extent so that any provision what
ever bearing upon this point was need
less. He admitted however, that he had
no doubt that if the United States should
proceed with the construction of the canal
without first taking steps to secure the
neutrality of the canal Great Britain
would be grievously offended, and that he
thought it not impossible that the offence
would be considered sufficiently grave to
lead to hostilities between the two coun-
tries.
do you mean" asked Senator Bever-
idge. chat notwithstanding the present
friendly relations between the countries,
England might declare war if we should
construct the canal with our own means
and in our own way?"
Senator Morgan replied that he consid-
cred that result among the probabilities.
But" he continued, II should not be de-
tered by that circumstance.
The American people, he said, had
mapped out that canal, and they were not
going to allow any obstacle no matter
how serious to stand in the way. He be-
iieved that the Administration that would
undertake to build the canal. knowing
that to do so meant war, would be en-
dorsed by the people at large by big
ger majority than that which Mckinley
received over Bryan in the last election.
Senator Morgan was piled with many
questions.
Mr.. Mason asked whether it was true
that if the -Pauncefote negotiations
prevented the use of the canal by Great
Britain in time of war the converse prop
osition that it also prohibited such use by
the United States was also not true. To
this Mr.. Morgan did not make direct re-
ply, saying he would take up that point
later He expressed the view that the
Clayton Bulwer Treaty is unconstitu-
tional