Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-04-20
Mr.. Repburn's Assurance Regarding
Nicaragua Canal Bill,
CHANGES MADE IN COMMITTEE
Provision for the Fortificatior
Stricken Out.
WILL BE TAKEN UP MAY

Mr.. Hepburn stated today that it had
been definitely arranged that the House
would take UP the Nicaragua canal bill
May 1 and .. Although the committee on
rules has taken no formal action, yet this
appears to be the definite understanding
Mr.. Hepburn says the passage of the bill
IS unquestonable.
The House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce today made an import
ant change in the Hepburn Nicaragua
canal bill, striking out the provision for
the 'fortification' and thus providing
what is expected to be a compromise which
will aid in bringing the measure to an
early consideration.
The amendment was proposed by Rep
reSentative Barham of California The
chairman of the committee was instructed
to offer the same upon consideration of the
bill at the proper time as a committee
amendment thereto.
The amendment was agreed to. not with
OUT some expressions of reluctance. but
with view to overcoming opposition and
securing action. In its new form the sec
ton reads as follows:
BE il enacted, etc. that the President
or the United States be. and is hereby au-
thorlZed to acquire 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 Rica
anu 4NiIdidSud may De desirable and
necessary on which to excavate construct
and protect canal of such depth and ca
p2city as will be sufficient for the move
ment of ships of the greatest tonnage and
draft now in use. from a point near Grew
town, on the caribbean sea, via Lake Mica
ragua to Breto, on the Pacific ocean: and
such sum as may be necessary to secure
such control is hereby appropriated out of
any money in the treasury not otherwise
appropriated.
Sec. .. That when the President has
secured full control over the territory in
section one referred to he shall direct the
secretary Of War to cXc&Vatc and construct
a canal and waterway from a point on the
shore of the caribbean sea, near Greytown.
by way of Lake Nicaragua, TO a point near
Breto. on the Pacific ocean. Such canal
shall be of sufficient capacity and depth as
that ii may be used by vessels Of the largest
tonnage and greatest depth now in use and
snail be supplied with all necessary locks
ana other appliances to meet the necess:-
ties of vessels passing from Grcytown TO
Breto: and the Secretary of War shall also
construct such safe and commodieus har-
bors at the termini of said canal and such
provision for defense, as may be necessary
FOR the safety and protection of said canal
and harborS.'
Wanted Words Retained.
The main dissent to the change in the
bill came from Mr.. Adamson of Georgia,
who desired to have the words 'fortfy''
doubtful or comprehensive phrascoogy.
Mr.. Barham Explains.
MIR. Barham. upon whose motion in COM
mittee the changes In the bill We're effected
said: THE changes are designed to over
come objections which have been raised
and l have reason to believe they will ac-
complish that end and make the bill gen.
orally acceptable The words 'fortify' and
defend appeared to invite controversy and
diplomatic complications, and in view of
the action of the administration in nego-
uating the Hay-Pauncefote treaty, 1t ap-
pears entirely needless to raise diplomatic
Issue with England simply on the use of
WORDS In the amended form ample author
lty Is given to police and protect the canal
against destruction by evidoers, and by the
time the canal is completed, six or eight
years hence, there will be full opportunity
to determine whether it should be perma-
nently protected by fortifications or by our
navy: For the present avoid a need
less Issue in no way bearing on the main
question of constructing the waterway"
Following the meeting Mr. Shackleford
OF Mlss0url. a member of the committee
hled with the House his dissenting views
on what had been done While favoring
the construction of the canal he objects
to any recognition of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty He proposed a new section to the
not go into force until after the Senate
has taken action on the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty and not then if that treaty is rsti
fed " ''Ni