Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-04-21
Will Be Pushed to a Vote
This Session.
COMPROMISE EFFECTED
Words "F0rtify" and "Defense" Struck
Quito Police and PrOtect-The
House Promises an Early Con-
S%ideratiOn.

Washington, April 2O.-The house com
mittee or interstate and foreign com.
merce to-day made an important change
in the Hepburn Nicaraguan canal bill
striking out the provision for fertilization
and thus providing what is expected te
become a compromise which will aid in
bringing the measure to an early consid-
Grafton.
The amendment was proposed by Rep.
resentative Barham of California. The
chairman of the committee was instruct
ed to offer the same upon consideration
OF the bin at the proper time as a com
mittee amendment thereto. The amend.
ment was agreed to. not without some
expression of reluctance, but with a
view to overcoming opposition and secur-
ing action.
In it's new form the section reads as
follows:
BE it enacted, ETC., That the president
of the United States be and is hereby au-
thollzed to acquire from the states OF
Costa RIGA and Nicaragua for and in be-
nan OF the united States. control of such
portion of the territory now belonging to
Costa Rica and Nicaragua as may be de-
sirable and necessary on which to exca-
Vate, construct and protect a canal of
such depth as to enable the movement of
shipments of the greatest tonnage and
draft now in use, from a point neal Grey.
town, on the Caribbean sea, via lake Nj
caragua, to Breot. on the Pacific ocean,
and such sum as may be necessary to Sc
cure such control is hereby appropriate
ed out Of any money in the treasury rot
otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 2.-That when the president has
secured full control over the territory in
fhp CArflnn VafQr~oH fn ho cho11 1i,.oo
the secretary of wax to %excavate an con-
truct a canal and waterway from the
shore Of the Caribbean sea, near Grey
town, by way of Lake Nicaragua. to a
point near Breot, on the Pacific ocean
Such canal shall be of sufficient capacity
and depth as that it may be used by YES
sells of the larges tonnage and greatest
depth now in use, and shall be supplied
with all necessary locks and other appli-
ances to meet the necessities of vessels
passing from GreytOwn to Breto, and the
secretary Of war shall also construct such
safe and ~commodious harbors at the ter
mini Of said canal n such provision fol
defense as may be necessary for the safe.
ty and protection OF said canal and har.
bors."
Following the announcement of the
changes in the bill, Mr.. Hepburn stated
it had been definitely arranged that the
house would take up the canal bill on
May | and 2. Although the committee
on rules has taken no formal action. yet
this appears to be the definite under
standing. Mr.. Hepburn says the pass
age of the bill is unquestionable.
The main dissent to the change in
the bill came from Mr.. Adamson OF
Georgia. who desired to have the words
"fortify' and defend retained as
against any doubtful or compromising
phrase.
Mr.. Barham. upon whose motion II
committee the changes We're effected
said:
1.-THE changes are designed to over.
come objections which have been raised
and I have reason to believe they will
accomplish that end and make the bill
generally acceptable. The words for
tify. and defend appeared to invite
controversy and diplomatic compiled
tons, and in view of the action of thu
administration in negotiating the Hay
Pauncefote treaty, it appears %entirel,