The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21
THE CANAL BILL CHANGED
Provision for Fortifying the Water
way Stricken Ont.
The House Committee Makes an
Amendment to the Hepburn Meas
American Control Reluctantly
AEree-Mr. Barham's Explanation.

The House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce yesterday adopted an
amendment to the Nicaragua Canal bill
under which the Secretary of War is en-
powered to make such provisions as may
be necessary to protect" the canal. in
stead OF erecting fortiacatons' to defend
IL and the harbors at either end.
Advocates of the bill contend that this
will remove the objections of those who
hold that the United States has no right
under the Clayton -Bulwer Treaty to erect
"fortifleatious." Mr.. Hepburn hopes that
the canal bill will now be passed, as he
holds that there can be no objection to
the President and Secretary of War taking
all necessary measures to protect" the
canal
The amendment il is said was accepted
with reluctance by some members of the
committee. who lcok upon its adoption as a
surrender to those interests which are hos
tile to an isthmian canal under American
control.
Mr.. Adamson, of Georgia, vigorously op-
posed the change in TIE phraseology of the
bill saying that the mcst rational means
of defending the canal would be by forti-
flying it, and that persons who would op
pose the fertilization of the waterway
would also oppose defending it.
The bill as amended reads:
BE it enacted, etc, that the President
of the United States be- and is hereby au-
thorized to acquire from the states of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua for and in be-
half of the United States control of such
portion of territory belonging to Costa
Rica and Nicaragua as may be desirable
and necessary on which to excavate, con-
struct and protect a canal of such depth
and capacity as will be sufficient for the
movement Of ships of the greatest tom
mage and draft now in use. from a point
near Greytown. on the Caribbean Sea, via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto on the Pacific
Ocean; and such sum as may be necessary
10 secure such control is hereby appro-
priated out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 2. That when the President has Sc
cured full control over the territory in
section one referred to. he shall direct
the Secretary of War to excayate and
construct canal and waterway from a
point on the shore of the Caribbean Sea
near Greytown, via Lake Nicaragua to a
point near Breto. on the Pacific Ocean. |
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and depth as that il may be used by yes
sells OF the largest tonnage and greatest |
depth now in use and shall be supplied |
with all necessary locks and other appli-
snces to meet the necessities of vessels |
passing from Greytown to Breto: and the |
of War shall also construct such
safe and commodious harbors at the ter
mini OF said canal and such provision for
defence as may be necessary for the safety |
and protection Of said canal and harbors.
The amendment was proposed by Mr. !.
Bsrham of California. who. b. way of ex-
PLANTATION, said: The changes are designed
TO overcome objections which have been
raised. and | have reason to believe they
VIII accomplish that end and make the bill
acceptable. The words 'fortify'
and defend appeared to invite contro-
yersy and diplomatic complications. and
in view of the action of the Administra-
tion in negotiating the Hay Pauncsfote
Treaty, it appears entirely needless TO
'aise 4 diplomatic issue with England sim
ply on the use of words. In the amended
,orm ample authority is given to police
Ind protect the canal against destruction
Dy evildoers. and by the time the canal
s completed, six or eight years hence,
here will be full opportunity to deter i
nine whether il should be permanently
by fortifications or by our Navy
Fer the present we avoid a needless issue
n no way bearing on the main question
II constructing the waterway"
Although no action has yet been taken
Jy the Committee on Rules and no meet
ng called. on the request Of over two hun
ired members Of the House for a rule to
consider the Nicaragua Canal bill, Mr..
Hepburn is confident that the Committee
m Rules will give him a rule for the con-
deratiou of the bill On May and 2 Other
members OF the House are not so sure this
will be done. The rule has not been prem
sed by the committee, and the time is
,eing urgently demanded for other legfs-
alton. The Sundry Civil bill will soon be
eported from the Committee on Appro-
'riations, and it is highly probable that
ir. Cannon. Chairman OF the committee.
yho is strongly opposed to the canal, will
Iemand the first two days in May for this
III
While the amendment TO the bill adopted
,y the committee will satisfy some who
we're opposed to the bill. the opposition. il
S said. viii not be entirely Withdrawn. MIR
Burton, Chairman of the Committee on
Rivers and Harbors. who has steadily op-
,osed the consideration Of the bill. said
that while the amendment re-
ieved the situation as TO the treaty obliga-
ions. it did not provide for sufficient sur
'eys, and he was still opposed 10 hasty ac-
ion, although he did not say he would op-
'ose rule to take up the bill.
Representative ShackIeford, as a minor
ty member Of the Committee on Interstate
md Foreign Commerce, yesterday sub
nitted 10 the House his views on the
Nicaragua Canal bill in the form of a re-
1ort. He points out what he believes to be
'ome weak points in the bill. He concurs
n the vigorous American policy stated in
he report of Mr.. Hepburn. but he says the
let which authorizes the construction Of the
anal should contain an explicit and direct
ssertion of the right Of the United States
o build. own. and control absolutely the
anal free from European dictation.
The Clayton Bulwer Treaty, as is so
You need not be 4 judge 10 decide that He's
rh's MseTze4. Senate. snd Lager are pure and .