Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-11-26
NICARAGUAN CANAL BILL
SENATOR MORGAN THINKS THE
MEASURE WILL PASS.
Favors the Hay-PauncefOte Treaty.
This Does Not Prohibit For
tifying the Canal

Senator John T. Morgan of Alabama
chairman of the Senate committee on the
Nicaraguan canal, has arrived in Washing.
ton from the south for the congressional
session. Mr.. Morgan is especially interest ed
In the prospective disposition Of the canal
bill, and says he proposes to do everything
possible during the session to push the
measure to a vote. In conversation with a
Star reporter today he said that he be-
lieved the bill would pass before adjourn
ment
Il can see no reason why this measure
should not go through during the session, -
said Senator Morgan. Every senate who
mas thus far returned to Washington has
expressed his willingness and determina-
tion TO vote for it, and l have no doubt
that large majority of the Senate will
vote for the bill when the time arrives.
The trouble has been, and is likely to be, in
the direction Of securing permission to con-
slider the BILL In the Senate any man who
may be opposed to the construction OF the
canal can defer the consideration of the
bill for some time by objection. That has
been the main trouble, for there can be no
question that when the vote is taken a
great majority will vote in favor of the bill.
Favors the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty.
Il am in favor of the ratification Of the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty, and l think this
Il understand that there has been a
great deal of discussion on the subject Of
the fortification Of the canal, but as a mat
ter Of fact this question Is one of the least
important concerned in the whole project
Inc Hay-Pauncefote treaty does not pro-
nlplt the fortificatfon of the canal. Neither
does the Hepburn bill, which passed the
House, and which was reported favorably
to the Senate from committee by me- Rut
at the same time Notifications are not pro-
vlded Tor The Hepburn bill provides that
II necessary fortifications may be placed
upon the line Of the canal, but what neces-
sity is there for them? 1 doubt very much
whether Notifications will be built along
the canal.
The Hepburn bill, now pending. to he
brief, makes the operation of the canal en-
t1rely neutral. There seems to be some diff
ference OF opinion on the subject of the
neutrality of the waterway, but in my
judgment this contention ought never to
be allowed to stand in the way of the ul-
innate construction of the canal 1t is too
important matter and too close to the in
terests of the people to be forced into the
background by differences of opinion on
matters of detail which are Of cofnparattye-
ly small importance to the project as a
whole.
Question of FOrtiHcations.
"The question of Notifications along the
canal is one which has more interest for the
countries of Nicaragua and Costa Rica than
the United States. Nicaragua and Costa
Rica own the ground and ought to have a
right to say just what they want in this
direction. If they want the right tosfortify
the canal then there will be some necessity
for the discussion of this subject. but so
far as the interests of this country are con-
cerned the matter is of very little conse-
quence. Some Of the military authorities
may take the ground that in view of the
uncertain character of the government Of
ms
tions might be a good thing, but this is an
opinion that does not bear on the canal
project proper and is Of no great conse-
quence. Let the nations owning the land
have their say in this respect and let us
not worry over the subject.
"The canal bill will be considered by the
Senate at the earliest possible moment and
pushed to a vote When the vote is counted
it will be demonstrated just what the SEN
timent on the subject Is. A large majority
of senators will vote in favor of the bill"