The times., 1900-12-26
THE PANAMA CANAL SCHEME.
European Nations Reported Behind
the Enterprise.

1t was announced yesterday by promi-
nent Senator, who is a member of the
Committee on Foreign Relations, that the
Panama Canal Company had informed the
State Department and a number of Sen
ators that Great Britain, Germany, and
France had decided to taHe joint stock in
the Panama waterway and will complete
it whether the United States proceeds to
the construction of the Nicaragua Canal or
not. This, it was said was not announced
as a threat. but as a piece of good news
by the officials of the Colombian enter
prise. NJ. Hutin, President of the Panama
Company. wired his representatives here
to the above effect, and within the hour
the matter had been made known to many
Senators.
A majority of the members of the Ca
nails and Foreign Relations Committees
refuse to discuss the matter on the mere
report from the Panama Canal agents,
but all agree that If the report is true.
there can be no other course for the
United States but to pass the Canal bill
at this session and proceed independently
TO the immediate construction OF an all
American fortified waterway through
Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
In speaking of the matter yesterday.
q prominent member of the Committee on
Inter Oceanic Canals stated that he mop
ed the report was true, since the news
would arouse the people of the country
and force Congress to take immediate ac-
ton.
Were the people of the United States
to wake up some morning and read in
cold type the fact that Great Britain. Ger
many and France had taken stock IN the
Panama waterway he said, there would
be a demonstration akin to that aroused
by the destruction of the Maine. JOINT
stock means joint control. with the United
States shut out on practically her own
territory by a trio of European powers.
Then, If never before. would the con-
struction of an American canal. fortified
by American 12-inrh guns. become appar-
ent We must have the Nicaragua wat
erway and we will have it without re-
gard to the Clayton-Bulwer compact CT
any other.
ITO my mind, there is nothing improb-
able in this new statement l have ex-
pected 1t for many days. and II 1t is not
fac. today, it will be before many
weeks. Great Britain and the maritime
powers of Europe would hardly sit idle
and let this Government own and control
the sole means of quick transportation
between the Atlantic and the Pacific. Now
that the Hay -Pauncefote Treaty has been
adopted with the amendments warning all
Europe of our intentions, it is time for
European action. There will be no Con-
cert of the Powers over our canal, as
pre-arranged. so that they are out and
out to stay.
There is only one recourse. This Is to
purchase the Panama Canal, which Is up
at auction. England, Germany, and
France can very easily do this and hold
the waterway for themselves. levying tolls
at leisure. This is what | have expected
and it has. or will, come to pass"
Discussing the matter yesterday, Senator
DolliYer stated that he had 10 idea that
Great Britain would refuse the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty, but in the event of this
the Senate would abrogate the Clayton
Bulwer Treaty
Il would not like to say what would hap
pen in the event of these three powers
taking stock in the Panama scheme said
he. but | can assure you that the action
of the Senate would be quickly taken and
decisive There would be no delicacy in
the matter and think the treaty would
go by the boards"