The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-04-10
clRcULATIoN sTATEMENr.
The cnnnI sItnntinn.

Senator Morgan appears to be convinced
that he can force consideration of the Mica
Tagua Canal bill at the present session of
Congress. notwithstanding orders OF the
Administration to the contrary, and COM
pei Senators 70 place themselves on record
for or against the measure AS Senator
Davis has intmated that no further at
tempt will be made to bring up the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty. Mr. Morgan thinlE
that there is a chance for action on the
Hepburn Morgan bill.
4 trained parliamcntarian like the Sena-
tor from Alabama ought to understand the
possibilities better than outsiders. and we
should be only toe glad 10 share his hope
for legislation at this session. But it
seems to US that. if the Administration
has been able to block 50 comparatively
colorless a matter as the Davis amendment
to the Hay Pauncefote Treaty, il would
hardly fGil OF success in preventing the
passage of measure which would clearly
wipe out everything the executive branch
OF the Government attempted to accom-
plish through the agreement between the
allied Anglo American foreign Offices. The
Hepburn Morgan bill, by implication at
least, reafirms the Monroe Doctrine which
the HayPaunecfote Treaty surrenders
The former lays the ghost OF the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty, which the latter seeks to
reiRcaruate. The former is an American
measure pure and simple. The latter is an
undertaking almost entirely in the inter-
est Of Europe. and principally in that OF
Great Britain. Perhaps Senator Morgan
is right in believing that opposition to the
American Canal will be less potent than
opposition to a modification Of the British
scheme which would have made an Ameri-
can canal possible under treaty. but we
doubt It.
There is a report in circulation. to the
effect that the Administration has been
negotiating for a strip OF land ten miles
wide, coinciding with the line OF the pro-
posed canal through Nicaragua and Costa
Rica. and that. II the Hay PauuceTote
Treaty had been ratified by the Senate in
the manner contemplated by the execu-
tive order to the Republican majority. the
matter would have been closed by this
time We are not advised as to the truth
of the statement; but. IL true. IL is rather
strange. Why should Mr.. Mckinley care
t. acquire American sovereignty over the
territory to be occupied by the canal. il
protection and fertilization OF such nation
al territory we're prohibited by his treaty.
and perhaps his reserved engagements.
with Great Britain? The story does not
scan
It's probable foundation no doubt IS the
fact that Admiral Walker. while on the
Isthmus. sounded the local governments on
the question OF their willingness that the
United States should acquire territory for
canal purposes and canal defence 10 the
states 10 be traverse, by the waterway
and that he found them agreeable to such
a proposition. There is no reason why
they should not be. They would gain Sc
cUriry and stability for their institutions.
and chance for peaceful development
under The wing Of a strong and non-az-
grcssive neighbor which they had never
before enjoyed. In fact for a long time
there has been little question that Nicara-
qua aud Costa Rica would like nothing bet
ter than 10 make a cession. unimportant
In area, but which nevertheless. would
have all the effect Of a buffer state be-
tween them.
Whether any formal negot. atoms have
been entered upon or thought "a by the Adj
miuistration or not. the subject matter is
important. An American canal should be
cut through American soil. Our IsthmiaD
neighbors are willing TO give US the
ground; and Senator Davis asserts that the
British Government has no objection 10 our
treating the canal as a part Of our coast
lire or to our taking necessary measures
for its protection and defence These two
considerations easily point L, solution Of
the whole problem which woulc be salts
factory 10 all parties concerned the Ad-
miuistration and other enemies D. a really