The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1900-05-21
CANAL BILL IS REPORTED.
COMMITTEE DOES NOT FAVOR
THE PANAMA CANAL.
The Report Recommends That Con-
gress Provide Means and Au-
thortty for Construction.

Washington, May 1.-THE senate COM
mittee on inter-oceanic canals To-Day.
through its chairman. Senator Morgan.
presented It's written report upon the
Nicaragua canal bill. Tho report In
cludes the statements Of Admiral Walker
and other members Of the commission ap-
pointed to investigate the various routes
for an inter-oceanic canal. and also the
conclusions of the committee with reIer-
ence to both the Nicaragua and the IA
mama routes.
The committee takes strong position
against the proposition to build the canai
via the Panama route. paying TOT the
work already done by the French Inc
declaration is made that the Panama
company IS practically without asseits
except thoseN included in tho Panama.
railroad.
.They say" says the report, they
have assets that a committee or experts
have valued at $50. 600 600. They make no
offer or suggestion as to what they would
take for It, The lowest sum at which
they estimate the cost of completing
their canal IS 100000. So that In en-
terIng that combine we would go In on
the basis OF slS5 100000. for the complet-
ed canal on the plan of three levels IL
that plan Is adopted against sl3S,ooo,VO,
which is the highest estimate any engi-
neer has placed on the Nicaragua canai
The difference is SAT, 900 600 in favor OF
Nicaragua"
The committee takes position against
holding the pending bills unless the wal
ker commission can report, saying:
"All the commissions field work IS
done and all their working parties have
returned to the United States except
party of photographers left there TO as
certain the rainfall, and the fluctuations
OF the ChagreS river. If this hydrograph-
ic work is Il be prosecuted hereafter as
long and as thoroughly as II has been
heretofore II will be half a century be-
fore we can determine the practicaoility
OF the Panama canal so far as 1t depends
upon tho rainfall and the fluctuations or
the Chagres river
1T Is evident that the report to be
made by these photographers Is not vi
tai factor in the question Of the practi-
cability Of the canal.
"Our engineers have come to no con-
clusion on tho point of difficulty ana
have relocated the decision of the whole
matter to the French engineers to be
determined by further experiments.
When these engineers are in possession
OF all the facts that are known and are
not able to determine the level at which
the canal should be built. If we wait I'M
I'll they have settled this vital point. we
put ourselves at their mercy ana can
only provide for the wants of our own
government and people when they de-
cided what is the best for their own
interests.
Congress owes higher duty to the
American people"
On the general question OF .he con-
struction OF a canal. the committee takes
the position that Whatever canal Is con-
structed, It's ownership must be Amerl-
can, and that delay may be fatal to the
success of the enterprise. 1t IS argued
by the committee that delay in conStruc-
ton cannot possibly advance the set
Element of any question as to the canal
after its completion. The committee there
fore. announce its conclusion 10 be that
congress should provide means and au-
thority for constructing a canal by Mica
ragua route and leave it to the president
10 deal with any questions of diplomat
&c sort that may be raised by other ma
lions in the progress OF the work.
After the bill becomes q law. It is de-
clared 10 be our first duty to agree with
Nicaragua as 10 the terms. leaving TO
tho future all dealings with other pow
ers as TO the privileges they shall enjoy
IN the canal