Richmond planet., 1900-02-17
WASHINGTON LETTER
The NICARAGUA Canal.
THE TREATY SAFE.
IFFEuTs OF THE ROBERTS CASE,
Mr.. Brysn's Visit,

I OuK RckAhSL OOAE0sROdOCht.J
WARRINGTON. Feb. IL, 1900.
President Mckinley and Secretary
Hay are not more egotistical than 9TH
er men, but they would be more than
hum n If they did not enjoy the rapid
ity with which the Nicaragua Canal
treaty is gaining supporters, as its fore
sight and wisdom is being recognized
Last week, when the treaty was first
sent TO the Senate, there was an outcry
against il. because it provided for ia
neutrality of the Canal and pledged
this government not to fortifv either
cad ef it. The lobbyists who. for one
reason or another are opposed TO the
construction OF the NiearsguR Canal
saw their opportunity Ind made the
most OF it, and for several days it + al
ly looked as though they would be
able to create q sentiment against the
tresty that might jeopsrdize its rstiH'
eatlou by the Senate. With few hon.
or able exec Etions, the democratic SEN
ators, who are wildly hunting for caca-
uaipa material, have been and are act
ing as allies of the lobbyists, although
themselves claiming to favor the con-
struction OF the canal.
WILL RArIFY TREATY.
It now seems reasonably certain that
the treaty will be ratified with votes to
spare. In agreeing TO making the ga
nai neutral, the treaty advertisss she
fact that the u. 8. aims 70 be the great
eat eomuns rciai nation IL ths world,
rather thsna o military bully among
the nations, aud that advertisements
will add millions to our foreign COM
merce. President Mckinley and Sec
rstsry Hay, in negotiating that treaty.
Recognized the fact that the q. 8. has
Navy, and will always have one. strong
enough to meet any enemies it may
have, and that much more would be
gained by assuring the world Of the
Neutrality of the canal than could pos
sibly be gained by forsifying it and re-
serving the right 80 close it against
ths ships of any nation with which We
might be as war. In making the canal
neutral, il will be uuder the joint pro-
lection of every maritime power in the
world-that protection will be assured
by O formal treaty, later-aud it's
safety from attack from any country
with which we may be at war, made
certain. If we reserved the right 20
close the canal TO enemies, We should
have to assert that right by force,
which would be more costly than bene-
ficisl, from any point OF view.
TIE NEw SENATOR.
senator-slect Bard, of California, ID
not widely known in Congress, outside
of the california delegation. but Sena-
tor Perkins, whose judgment is relied
upon by all who know him, says he has
known Senator Bard for more than
quarter of century, and that his sol
id qualities will make him . decided
acquisition to the Senate.
City, now in Washington: said of the
effect In Utah Of the shutting OF Rob-
efts out of the House: II thlnE mat
in the future, no polygAmist will be
elected to any Federal Office, and
doubt If any polygamist will be elect
ed TO any offiee. The decision of the
House Was an earnest showing OF the
sentiment of the country and convic-
ton of the Government. J. do not
think there will be any more bucking
against IT,"
TWO BILLION DOLLAR COUNTRY.
Hon. Thomas B. Reed said q few
wears ago that this was billion dollar
country. To-day, il can be truthfully
said that this is two. billion dollar
country. Last year, the foreign COM
merce of the u 8. exceeded two bill
| lion dollars in value, and the official
| treasury figures for the first week in
| February 1900, show that, for the firs.
| time in our history. the amount OF
money IN circulation IN the conntry,
| exceeds two billion dollars. Is will
not be forgotten when the time eomef
| for the people to vote again, IN ma
/ can administration and . republican
| Congress that frat made il necessary
to use ten figures to show the business
| condition of this. the most properouI
| country on earth. This is two bill
| lion dollar country. Impress that CO.
lossal fact upon your mind.
THE PORTO RIoo BILL.
Chairman Payne, of the House Ways
and Means Committee, gave notice IL
presenting the majority report in fav
or of the Porto Rico tariff bill thsI
the measure would be called up in ths
House on the 18th inst. The report
claims that the quantity OF Porto Ri
can sugar and tobacco sens to the u
3. about four million pounds of tobac
co, and about 44,OO0 tons OF sugar u
not large enough to affeet prices, aaC
that there IL no good ground for tht
opposition to allowing the Porto RicaI
| products to come in for Is per cent. o
she duty upon similar foreign products
The bill provides that all collsetion
in the islands, bsth frsm duties an,
other sources, ss we'll 90 the duties col
lected on Porto Riesn products IN I'd