The age-herald., 1900-01-21
Both Branches of Congress Now
 FarOrs the Measure.
II WILL NOT BE NEUTRAL
With Reed Retired Everything Points to the Final Completion oi Chan- neI Across the State of
 Nicaragua.

Washington. January 20.-(Srecial)- the present session will see the passage of a bill providing for the construction of the Nicaraguan canal seems altogether proba- ble.
 A week ago the prospects were not at all favorable to such legislation. It appeared as if this important matter would be de- layed until a report could be obtained upon the investigation that is now being made. More recently, however the opinion has be- come surprisingly general that it will be mistake to delay matters It is felt that there have been Investigations enough and that the Nicaragua route is ito be preferred to the Panama one.
 The idea is that this very important un- deItaking should be commenced immed- lately, and this spirit is found in both the republican and democratic ranks. Of course, opposition will be found in the sen- ate and in the house, but the present out look is that it will not be sufficient to im- pede the passage of the measure.
 When the house committee on interstate and foreign commerce reported favoraby the other day, by unanimous vote, a bill providing for the construction of this canal by the government it appeared if the chances of passing 1t through the house were very fair. With the retirement of Speaker Reed, opposition to this measure on the house side materially weakened.
 When on Tuesday Senator Morgan by the unanimous consent of his committee on an inter-oceanic canal reported favorably a bill practically the same as the one reported in the house by Colonel Hepburn, the only difference being one of form and the changes made for that reason being en- tirely immaterial, it was evident that the prospects for this legislation were better than thought.
 sentiment Has Grs
 Investigation on both sides of the capitol has shown that the sentiment favorable to the construction of the canal had grown rapidly. The opinion seems to prevail that the people demand action and that our own trade future requires the proposed legisla- ton. All differences as to the proper course of procedure, to the advisablity of having the government dig the canal or authorize canal company to do it, appear to have been dissipated in the demand for action.
 The bill now before each house authorizes the president to acquire from Costa Rica and Nicaraguan for the United States con- trol of such portion of territory now belong E ing to those states as may be required lon which to excavate construct and defend, a canal of such depth and capacity as will be sufficient for the movement of ships of the greatest tonnage and draught now in use from a point near GreytoWn, on the Caribbean sea, via Lake Nicaragua to Breto on the Pacific ocean, and it appro- priates as much money as may be required to secure such control.
 After the president has secured full con- trol he is to direct the secretary of war to excavate and construct a canl and water way form a point on the Caribbean near Greytown by way of Lake Nicaragua to point near Breto on the Pacific, the canal to have capacity sufficient for the vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest depth, and shall be supplied with all necessary locks and other appliances to meet the necessities of vessels passing from Greytown to Breto.
 The secretary of war is also to construct safe and commodious harbors at the ter mini of the canal and such Notifications for the defense of the canal as will be required for the safety and protection of all vessels desiring to use the canal.
 The president is to cause such survey to be made as may be necessary TOT the canal and its harbors and in constructing the same he Is authorized to employ such persons as he may Qe6Ifl DeCcSSdiy'
 In the construction. of the canal the San Juan river and Lake Nicaragua or such parts of each as may be necessary are to be used.
 In the negotiations with Costa Rica and Nicaragua the president is authorized to grant to them the use of the canal ana harbors for all vessels owned by those states or their citizens on such terms as he may deem best. The Approprlation The bill finally appropriates one hundred and fifty million dollars or so much or 1t as may be necessary for the construction or the canal.
 The present bill, it will be observed, pro yides for the construction and control Of the canal by the United States government. It is tken, not to be neutral but the prop erty of the United States, which Is to nave the right to use 1t as 1t sees fit, to make rates more favorable to American ships than to foreign ones, if 1t chooses, and II It prefers so close 1t in the time Of war. This might be regarded by the Brtbisn as contrary to the Clayton-Bulwer treaty but congress is not considering that treaty just now It Is leaving it to the executive de- nartment of the government, but the opin- ion prevails in congress that the Ciayton- Bulwer treaty is not operative. While 1t has not been ofncially de- nounced'' Great Britain on one occasion | acted contrary to It and according to the acepted principles of international law that | has the effect of making 1t inenecuVe When MT. Blaine and MT. Frelinghuysen were secretaries of state they were inclined. | to hold the treaty imperative. Of course | Great Britain and other nations as well VIII make diplomatic representations if the Dill | now before congress is enacted but In this 1 matter the United States has the right to | consider its own interests and will do so and there is no danger of any serious un- | friendly feeling resulting.
 l The Samoan Treaty
 The Samoan treaty, providing for the .partttioning of the Samoan islands, under l inc provisions of which the United States