The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-04-14
Explains His Opposition to Me
araguan Canal Bill.
IT SHOULD BE NEUTRAL
SAYS 1T ADVOCATES CLAYTON
BULwER TREATY.
CHIEF Objection, However, is to the
Provision For Fortifying the Can
al, Which is Against the General
Tenor of Our Policy--Likes the
-Pauncefote Treaty.

Washington, April 13,-Mr. Burton,
whose objection to the consideration
of the Nicaraguan canal bill attracted
much attention, today explained his
course in the following authorized
statement:
Il wish it distinctly understood the
objection is made upon my own re-
sponsibility. Objection to the consid-
Grafton Of the pending bill was made
because:
"FirSt-Tr abrogates a treaty solemn
~ entered into and now IN fuE force.
While rs a,Arogation could be accom-
plished by the passage OF tlis bill,
such action is without precedent in our
relations with foreign powers; 1t is
also unnecessary, because the same re-
suit could be obtained by the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, q measure which,
though much misunderstood, is never
theless a triumph of diplomacy.
Second-It commits us to forti-
fed canal instead of a neutral canal.
a neutral canal is not only in accord
Rnce with the general tenor of our own
policy, but would best subserve our
own interests.
'ThirC@TherC are also serious objec-
tions TO the present consideration of
this bill, which might not exist at a
later time. 1t is desirable that the
present commission, the first which has
given comprehension and complete con-
sideration to the subject of the con-
struction OF an international canal,
should complete its work before route
is selected.
Get More Favorable Terms.
I'm the same line, 1t is desirable that
provisional treaties be made with the
countries controlling each Of the pro-
posed routes, viz, Costa Rica and
Nicaragua, on the one hand, and Co
lombia on the other hand. To pass a
bill committing the United States TO
either Of these routes would prevent
us from obtaining as favorable terms
for right of way and control as could
readily be obtained in case the ques-
ton of the route should be postponed.
mo loss could result from postpone
ment until the ncXt session, because
extended examination would be re-
quired before a definite route can be
safely and jju1Iciously selected. even
If the genera route should be chosen.
Some 500 men are now at work max
ing examination AMI exploration. ] lis
work, which is absolutely essential be-
fore the canal is commenced, viii re-
quire considerable time.
There is no desire on the part Of
those who are opposing the present
consideration of this bill to oppose the
construction Of a canal. The admin
istration and both political parties are
committed to the early beginning Of
the work. But it is desirable that all
necessary preliminaries in the way of
examination of engineering features.
settlements of diplomatic questions and
securing the most favorable privileges
shall be thoroughly attended to.
UU.;& TIL Mt Sasa;o,,
1T has been proposed that an early
date in the next session be fixed for
consideration Of the bill. To this
do not believe any objection would be
made"
Following Mr.. Burton's notice Of OBJ
lection. Mr. Hepburn took stems to
overcome this objection. A petition to
the committee was prepared, requiring
that body to fix a time for taking up
the canal bill. Mr.. Hepburn circulated
the petition on the Republican side
and up to the time Of adjournment Sc
cured sixty-one signatures. He said
he considered this a good showing, con-
sidering the small attendance. Mr..
Adamson, who circulated the petition
on the Democratic side. said:
There is no opposition whatever on
this side and every man present today
has signed the petition. If the at
tendance had been larger. we would
have had many more signatures, but
as it is, the number exceeds sixty. and
many more viii be added as fast as
members can be seen"
Notwithstanding these efforts, IL was
intimated pretty strongly in well in
formed quarters that the committee on
rules was not likely TO bring in a spec
ial rule. The members Of the commit
tee declined, however, to make any
definite statement on the question.