The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-19
IT'S DENIED BY N CURDY Is 4 LAW OF NECESSITY
THAT CALLS FOR AN AMERICAN
CANAL ACROSS THE
ISTHMUS
REPORT by SENATOR MORGAN
As Chairman of the United States
Senate Committee ON Inter-
Oceanic Canals Is Com
prehensive.

WASHINGTON, Dec 1S-Sena tor MGR
gan, Chairman Of the senate committee
on interoceanic canals, to which was re-
ferred the preliminary report of the
lsthmian canal commission, today sub
mltted partial report thereon in con-
nectlon with the protocol of agreements
with Costa RIGA and Nicaragua relating
to the proposed canal, which were sub
mltted recently to the senate. In course
OF the report IL is said that the state
ment of the Walker commission and the
protocols referred to have a direct bear,
ing upon~What is known az the Hepburn
bill now on the senate calendar. THAT
Dill, says the report us q declaration
or the policy of the United States for
canal under control of this government.
1t Is the law of necessity rather than
the expectation Of profit or advantage to
the United States. that compels US to
construct, own and control a ship canal
through Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and
the geological relation of those states to
our country and the prestige of the
United States among American govern
ments point to US as the power that must
incur the expenditure be invested with
the authority to control the canal as a
marine highway for shipments of all ma
lions. The assured profits of this enter.
prise, in money calculated in any report
that has estimated the cost as a sufficient
justification for the expenditure that is
necessary to acquire the right of way
and to construct the canal.
AS the basis and condition precedent
to the accomplishment Of this great task
of duty the United States must first &C.
quire from Costo Rica and Nicaragua, by
agreement the right to construct own,
control and manage the canal. In doing
this, we must fully recognize their SOW.
ereignty and authority over those coun-
tries respectively and deal with them
without any attempt at encroa chment on
their national rights.
The presidentsis not empowered or ad-
V1sed to eneroacn upon the sovereignty
of those states: The acquisition Of the
sovereignty ownership of tract of coun-
try including the line Of canal, would
separate Nicaragua into two parts, he
tween which the sovereignty of the
United States would be interposed. IAN
act more fatal Ito her autonomy cannot
be conserved and if her government had
the power tos4Io this, under his constitu-
ton which forhids any cession of terri
tory to foreign state, the severance Of
her territory By such muttlation would
destroy its territorial integrity and with
it the republic Such an effort is beyond
the purpose%of the house bill and is un-
necessary to the enjoyment of any previ-
Gus or right=tfTat relates to the owner
ship, control or mana cement of the canal.
THE house bill deals with our own ma
tional policy, defining 1t clearly, and
writes it on the statute book, which is
the highest record of the political and in
ternational policy of the United States.
DECLARATION OF POLICY.
"In making this declaration of the
policy and purposes of the United States
and in supplying the president with the
means Of explaining the law, the house
bill proceeds on the assumption that
there are no obstacles in the way of its
full, just and peaceful Enforcement. This
line of action commends itself to all who
sincerely desire to explain of the will Of
the people of the American in the con-
struction of a ship CANAL placing its own
erShip, control and management in the
government of the United States If the
senate shall concur with the house in
the passage of this bill 1t will be a move.
ment of such force as will draw after II
the settlement of any international diff
fculties that may exist, without friction
or danger to the peace and good will that
exists between the United States and
other nations"
The report declares that by the treaty
Of 1857 between the United States and
Nicaragua the United States is prohibit
ed from exercising permanent military
occupation. of that state; but we have
Tie TlSolIL " Sl4lSE ud Will Hills
tary forces to protect q canal through
that state at the request of Nicaragua
After a. reference to the Clayton BuiWer
treaty and the pending Hay-Pauncefote
treaty the report says: 1.-THE passage of
the Hepburn. bill by an almost unanimous
vote in tho house must have called for
protest from Great Britain if that gov
eminent considers that any right of hers
is in conflict with that measure. II the
passage of that measure through the
senate calls forth such a protest, then
will be the appropriate time for its con-
sideration and for taking measures TO
answer it. Until then we car never know
the grounds of the objection that Great
Britain may choose to make.
1.-The senate, engaged In a negotia ton
with Great Britain which may or not re,
suit in an agreement, cannot afford to
refuse to consider a bill so important to
the country as the house bill No. $685.
merely to await the pleaSur eof one-third
of that body The senate, as a part Of
the treaty making power, has no more
lust right to suspend legislation on this
subject than the president who is the
other part of that power has to suspend
legislation by his order"
Advertising to any supposed relation
Costa Rica and Nicaragua may have to-
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty the report de.
clares:
'IneSe states were not prOHlD1teu Oy
the Clayton-Rulwer treaty from dispos>
ing of canal privileges or their entire ter
ritory If their people SO desire, to the
United States or to any other power for
the reasan that they are not parties to
that treaty. If such was the purpose Of
that treaty, 1t failed not only for that
reason, but also because it was fragrant
usurpatior on the part of the great ma
tons that made the agreement and was
condemned as 1t still is reprobated by
the morality of nations.
whether we will abide by and perform
such a covenant Is {; conflict between
morals and manners that you people will
not suffer to deprive them of commercial
liberty, the security of peace and the
pursuit of happiness
RETURN OF THE TROOPS.