New-York tribune., 1900-04-21
NICARAGUA BILL TO PASS
IMPORTANT CHANGES MADE IN THE
HEPBURN CANAL MEASURE.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.


[BY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUNE.l
Washington. April 20.-The prospect of the
passage Of the Nicaragua Canal bill by the
House of Representatives at this session was
materially improved to-day, and there are now
strong indications that it viii pass within the
next ten days. This status has been obtained
by modification of the measure by the Com
mittee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce,
which to-day adopted amendments offered by
MIR. Barham. OF California. striking out the
words defend and ''fortifcations." and in
serting protect and provision" in lieu there
OF. and substituting the words may be neces-
sary" for will be required
BY these changes the bill will authorize the
President TO acquire territory ION which to eX-
cavate construct and protect canal" and
direct the Secretary of War to construct such
safe and commodious harbors at the termint of
said canal. and such provision for defence. as
may be necessary for safety and protection of
said canal and harbors." In its new form the
bill reads follows:
Be it enacted. etc; That the President, OF me me
9uire from the States of Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
for and in behalf of the United states control & OF
such portion of territory now belonging TO costa
Rca and Nicaragua as may be desirable and neces.
as Canal of THG such depth and capacity will Be SUIT
fcent for the movement OF ships or the greaIesc @
Greytown, on the Caribbean Sea. via Lake Ncara-
S NAV W be- necessaTv to secure such control is here
by appropriated out of any money in the Treasury
Section 2-That when the President has secured
to- he shal direct the secretary of War to
vate and construct a canal and waterway from
tireyt9wn. by way OF Lake NiSaragua aqua to point point
be of sufficient capacity and depth that it may be
by vessels of the largest tonnage and greatest
necessary locks and other appliances 70 meet the
necessities of vessels passing from GTeytown 10
n 10
struct such safe and commodious harhors at the
en9e as G1 % % be oT % the safety ana pro-
lection of said canal and harbors.
TO BE TAKEN UP ON MAY 1.
1t is expected that in consequence of these
notifications special order for the consdera-
ton of the Canal bill and for vote thereon at
the expiration of two days debate, probably on
May > will be reported and adopted.
After the committee adjourned Mr.. Barham
said:
The changes are designed TO overcome objections
which have heen raised and haTe & Te1s0n to be be
bin genSraily acceptabe The words ''fortifica-
tions' and defend" appeared to invite controversy
action of the Administration in negotiating the
p TFeay It ss appeaT & ee nsga s
ply on the use of words. In the amended form am
canal against destruction BY evi!doeTs ana BY the
ence 'I fber ra viii Is he }i onportlnitV te eeTmin
whether 1t should be permanently protected by
avoid a needless issue in no way bearing on the
main question of constructing the waterway.
Following the meeting Mr.. Shackleford. of
Missouri. a minority member of the committee.
filed with the House his dissenting views on
what had been done. While favoring the con-
struction of the canal. he objects 10 any recog-
milton OF the Clayton Buwer Treaty He pro-
posed a new section the Hepburn bill provid-
ing that the act shall not go into force until
after the Senate has taken action on the Hay
Pauncefote Treaty and not then If that treaty
is ratified.
ACTION OF THE RULES COMMITTEE.
The principal opposition to the change in the
bill from Mr. Adamson. of Georgia, who
desired to have the words "fortifications'' and
defend" retained. Mr.. Adamson says the
changes suggested, he understands. by
the Rules Committee. in answer to the petitions
for the consideration of the Hepburn bill. Mr.
Adamson presented to the committee the pc
tition of 125 Democratic members favorable TO
the original bill at the time that Mr.. Hep
burn presented the petition o. the Republican
members. The only answer to The petition
ceived by Mr.. Adamson the statement made
him by Mr., Hepburn that if the bill were
amended a rule for consideration could be
cured To this Mr. Adamson dissented saying
that the petition for the original bill He
again objected 10 the change when Mr. Hepburn
made known to-day that the rule for considera-
ton could be secured If the amendments
gested authorized by the Committee on In
terstate and Foreign Commerce. Under the cir
CumStanceS, Mr.. AdamsOn says he viii oppose
on the floor OF the House the amendments omit
ting the words defend" and Qualifications" as
he says. the amendments emasculate the bill
and surrender the case. leaving the bill CON
sistent with the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty"