The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-12-19
SENATOR MoRGAN's REPORT.
On the Preliminary Statement of the Isthmian
Canal Commission.
(By the Associated Press }

(By the Associated Press.)
Washington, Dec. Ex-senator Morgan,
Chairman of the Senate Committee ON
Inter oceanic Canals, to which was re-
ferred the preliminary report Of the 18TH
milan Canal Commission, today submitted
a partial report thereon in connection
with the protocols of agreement with
Costa Rica and Nicaragua, relating to the
proposed canal, which were submitted re-
Gently to the Senate. The report says
the statement of the Walker Commission
and the protocols referred to have a di
rect bearing upon what is known as the
Hepburn Bill now on the Senate calendar.
THAT bill is declaration of the policy
Of the United States" the report reads,
"for a canal under control of this Gov
ernment. 1t is the law of necessity, rath
er than the expectation of profit or ad-
vantage to the United States, that COM
pels us to construct, own and control st
ship canal through Costa Rica and Nicara-
qua, and the geographical relation Of those
States to our country, and the prestige
of the United States among American
Governments point to us as the power
that must incur the expenditure and be
invested with the authority to control the
canal as a marine highway for ships Of
all nations.
"As the basis and condition precedent
OF the accomplishment of this great task
OF duty the United States must first ac-
qure from Costa Rca and Nicaragua, by
agreement. the right to construct, own.
control and manage the canal. In doing
this we must fully recognize their sover
eign independence and authority over
those countries respectively and deal
with them without any attempt at en-
croachment on their national rights"
The report proceeds:
THE acquisition Of the sovereign own
ership of tract of country, including the
lire Of the canal. would separate Nicara-
4 "a into two parts, between which the
sovereignty Of the United States would be
interposed
"An act more fatal to her autonomy
cannot be conceived. and if her Govern
ment had the power 10 do this under her
constitution which foTbids any cession OF
territory to a foreign state, the severance
Of her territory by such mutiation would
destroy it's territorial integrity and with
ii the republic. Such an effort is beyond
the purpose of the House bill and is un-
necessary to the enjoyment Of any privi-
lege or right that relates to the owner
ship. control or management of the canal.
IF the Senate shall concur with the
House in the passage Of this bill il will
be n movement Of such force as will
draw after it the settlement of any in
ternational difficulties that may exist
without friction or danger to the peace
and good will that exists between the
United States aud other nations"
Attention is directed to a treaty be-
tween Great Britain and Nicaragua that
contains the Identical provisions of ouI
treaty of 1867. ''If that treaty remains
the report says, Nicaragua cannot grant
us the ownership control and manage
ment of canal in her territory that is
| free from all military interference OF
control by Great Britain"
The report discusses at length Tho
| operation Of the Clayton Bulwer Treaty
and refers to the pend ng Hay Paunce-
| fote Treaty.
THE Senate. engaged in a negotiation
with Great Britain which may or may
not result in an agreement cannot affort
TO refuse to consider a bill so importan
to the country as the House Bill No
2538, merely to await the pleasure of one
| third of that body. The Senate as a par
of the treaty making power has no more
| just 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
The report says Costa Rica and Nicara
qua were not prohibited by the Clayton
| Bulwer Treaty from disDosing of cana
| privileges or their entire territory. j
their people so desire. to the United
States or to any other power. for thu
reason that they are not parties to tha
treaty. If such was the purpose Of tina
treaty, it failed not only for that rea
son, but also because 1t was flagrant usur
patton on the part of the great nations
that made the agreement and was con
demned as 1t still Is reprobated by th'
morality OF nations.