Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-12-01
THE lSTHMlAH CANAL.
It viii Be the Great Issue In the Coming
Session Of Congress.

Session Of Congress.
The Hay-Pauncefote treaty is to be
ratified during the early days Of the
coming session Of congress, unless the
present plans of President Mckinley,
and other Republican leaders miscarry,
says the Washington correspondent Of
The News and Courier writing under
date Of last Thursday. The treaty Is
to be ratified in the shape in which it
was originally drawn. That Is, with
out amendment Of any kind. The rati-
f1cation in the shape in which Secreta-
ry Hay drew 1t and which, 1t might be
mentioned In passing, was distinctly
repudiated in the canal plank in the
Philadelphia platform, Is to be made
the condition for passage Of Trans
Isthmian canal bill. In other words,
the president and Secretary Hay are
determined that unless the treaty Is
ratified there shall be no canal bill.
Whether there is to be any serious
effort on the part Of the Republicans
Of the senate to amend the treaty by
putting in a provision for the fortifi-
cation and defence of the canal by this
|government-as was decided upon by
the senate committee at the last ses-
sion-depends entirely upon whether
Senator Davis, Of Minnesota, recovers
his health and Is able to resume his
duties. AS the head Of the committee
on foreign affairs Senator Davis took
very active position in favor Of the
amendment and carried 1t through by
an almost unanimous vote; but unless
Davis Is there the administration will
have plain sailing so far as the Repub-
lican end of the committee Is concerned.
The Democrats are almost unit In
favor of amendment; but there Is no
question that to some extent this
Democratic position WAS taken 10 meet
the exigencies Of the presidential cam
paign; in other words, 1t was political.
Now, while at such a time 1t might
have been good politics to use obstruc-
tive methods in order to emphasize the
Democratic position in favor of a pure
ly American canal, it Is highly proba-
BILE that with no campaign in sight
the Democrats will content themselves
with voting their convictions; but not
attempting to obstruct the ratification
of the treaty., especially as that would
be construed as standing in the way Of
the passage of a canal bill, which, from
the standpoint Of the south, Is certain
ly the main thing.
That the administration leaders feel
confident of their ability to secure the
passage Of the ratification Of the treaty
Is shown by Senator Hanna's positive
announcement that the treaty will be
ratified at an early day.
The Nicaragua canal bill, as it pass
ed the house, contains provision In
line with the Davis amendment. That
Is, instead of canal at all times neu-
trail, it provides for canal under prac-
tically exclusive American ownership
and control. This bill Is now in the
Senate, and has been made the special
order for the 10th Of December. 1t Is
highly probable that when that date Is
reached the bill will be temporarily
laid aside for the dual purpose of hear
ing the report Of the Walker commits
sion and of awaiting action Of the
treaty.
Just what the Walker commission
will report is a carefully guarded Sc
cret; but am told by one Of the most
prominent members of the house of rep
resentatives-a man more closely In
touch with canal legislation than pro-
badly any other man in the house-that
he has assurances that majority of
the commission not only favor the
Nicaraguan route; but favor forttfying
the canal. There will also be recon-
mendation by the commission In favor
Of discriminating tolls for the United
States coastwise trade and that Of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua. To all 9TH
er nations the canal will be open on
equal terms. AS the opinion Of the
commission was asked on this latter