The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-04-21


The House Committee on Interstate and
Foreign Commerce yesterday adopted an
amendment to the Nicaragua Canal bill,
under which the Secretary of War is en-
powered to make such provisions as may
be necessary 10 protect" the canal in
stead OF erecting fortincations' to defend
it and the harbors at either end.
Advocates of the bill contend that this
will remove the objections OF those who
hold that the United States has no right
under the Clayton Bulwer Treaty to erect
''fortiAoatious." Mr.. Hepburn hopes that
the canal bill will now be passed as he
holds that there can be no objection to
the President and Secretary OF War taking
all necessary measures TO protect" the
canal.
The amendment. il is said. was accepted
with reluctance by some members OF the
committee, who look upon its adoption as a
surrender to those interests which are hos
tile to an isthmian canal under American
control.
Mr.. Adamson. Of Georgia. vigorously op-
posed the change in the phraseology OF the
bill, saying that the most rational means
OF defending the canal would be by forti-
flying t. and that persons who would op-
pose the fortiflcation OF the waterway
would also oppose defending il.
The bill as amended reads:
BE IL enacted, etc. that the President
of the United States be. and is hereby, aG
thOrized to acquire from the states Of
Costa Rica and Nicaragua for and in be-
half OF the United States control Of such
portion OF territory belonging to Costa
Rica and Nicaragua as may be desirable
and necessary on which to eXcavate, con-
struct and protect canal of such depth
and capacity as will be sufficient for the
movement Of ships Of the greatest ton
mage and draft now in use from a point
near Greytown. on the Caribbean Sea. via
Lake Nicaragua to Breto. on the Pacific
Ocean and such sum as may be necessary
&c secure such control is hereby appro-
priated out of any money in the treasury
not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 2 That when the President has Sc
cured fun control over the territory in
section one referred TO- he shall direct
the Secretary OF War to excavate and
construct a canal and waterway from a
point on the shore Of the Caribbean Sea.
near Greytown. via Lake Nicaragua. to
point near Breto. on the Pacific Ocean.
Such canal shall be Of sufficient capacity
and depth as that t may be used by YES
sells OF the largest tonnage and greatest
depth now in use. and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other appli-
snces TO meet the necessities Of vessels
passing from Greytown TO Breto. and the
Secretary Of War shall also construct such
safe and commodious harhors at the ter
mini OF said canal and such provision for
a. ].
and protection Of said canal and harbors."
TIE amendment was proposed by Nr.
Bsrham Of California. who. by way Of oE-
PLANTATION. said. The changes are designed
TO overcome objections which have been
raised and I have reason to believe they
viii accomplish that end and make the bill
generally acceptable. The words fo-tify'
and defend appeared 10 invite contro-
yersy and diplomatic complications. and
in view Of the action Of the Admiuistra-
tion in negotiating the Hay-Fauncsfote
Treaty, it appears entirely needless TO
raise diplomatic issue with England sim
ply on the use Of words In the amended
form ample authority is given to police
and protect the canal against destruction
by eviidOers. and by the tine the canal
is completed. six or eight years hence.
there viii be full opportunity to deter
mine whether it should be permanently
protected by forthcatons or by our Navy
Fer the present we avoid a needless issue
in no way bearing on the main question
Of constructing the waterway"
Ai,noush no do1lon nds Sel DeeL iSAeu
by tAe committee on htiea. ana no meet
ing oa4ieu' on me fequesJ OF over Two nun
dred members oil the House ior a rule TO
consider she Nicaragua Canal bill, Mr.
Hepburn is confident that the Committee
on Rules viii give him rule for the con-
sideTatiou Of the bill On May ] and 2. Other
members Of the House are not so sure this
viii be done. The rule has not been prem
ised by the committee. and the time is
being urgently demanded for other leEis-
lation. The Sundry Civil bin will soon be
reuorted from the Committee on Appro-
priations. and il is highly probable that