Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-12
FOR AN iSTHMIAN CANAL,
Favorable Report Ordered on the Hepburn
Bill.
1t Selects the Nicaraguan R0ute-An
Appropriation of S14O.OOO,-
600 Authorized.

The House committee on interstate and
foreign commerce today ordered a favor
able report upon the Hepburn bill for the
construction of the Nicaragua canal The
bill is practically the same one reported
by this committee in the last Congress.
There was some discussion about the ad-
Visibility of delaying action on the bill
until the isthmian canal commission re-
ported, but this was finally regarded as
unnecessary, and all the members except
Mr.. Fletcher of Minnesota voted to report
the bill favorably. The latter said his
silence should not be construed as oppo-
sition to the measure but merely as res
ervation of his right to support or oppose
1t after further consideration. The COM
mittee made some changes in the origi-
mai Dill, ms erting new section 3 and max
Ing verbal alterations. AS finally agreed 10
the bill is follows:
TO provide for the construction of a
canal connecting the waters of the Allan
tic and Pacific oceans
BE 1t enacted, etc.
That the President of the United States
be, and is hereby, authorized to acquire
from the states of Costa Rca and Nicara-
qua, for and in behalf of the United States
controi OF such portion of territory now
belonging to Costa Rica and Nicaragua as
may be desirable and necessary on which
10 eXcaVate, construct and defend canal
OF such depth and capacity as will be suf-
ficient for the movements of ships of the
greatest tonnage and draft now in use,
from point near Greytown on the Ca
rIbbean sea, via Lake Nicaragua, to Breto
on the Pacific ocean; and such sums as may
be necessary to secure such control are
hereby appropriated, out of any money in
the treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Under Direction of Secretary of War.
Sec. =. That when the President has Sc
cured full control over the territory in
section 1 referred to, he shall direct the
Secretary of War to eXcavate and con-
struct 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 it may be used by yes
seis OF the largest 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 ana commodious harHOrS al the ter
mini OF said canal, and such Notifications
Tor defense, as will be required for safety
ana protection of said canal and harbors.
Sec D. That the President shall cause
such surveys as may be necessary for
said canal and harbors and in the con-
Structing of the same.
Sec. /. That in the excavation and con-
struction of said canal the San Juan river
and Lake Nicaragua, or such parts of each
as may be made available, shall be used.
Sec D. That in any negotiations with the
states of Costa Rica or Nicaragua the
President may have the President is au-
thorized TO guarantee to said states the use
of said canal and harbors upon such terms
as may be agreed upon for all vessels
owned by said states or by citizens thereof.
Appropriation of $I3O,OOO.OOO.
See. Il. That the sum of slIO,UO0,OU or
so much thereof as may be necessary, Is
hereby appropriated, out of any money i'll
he. tr.,s I,r
for the completion of the work herein au-
thorized, said money to be drawn from the
treasury from time to time as the same
shall be needed, upon warrants of the Pres
ident based on estimates made Il ! verified
by the chief engineer in charge of the work
and approved by the Secretary of War"
Admiral Walkers Statement.
In reference to the statements attributed
t. Admiral Walker in a cabled interview,
country in favor of cooperation between
Great Britain and the United States in
the construction of the Isthmian canal
Mr. Hepburn, chairman of the House in
terstate and foreign commerce committee,
said today that there was no sentiment
manifested n that committee in favor of
either cooperation with any foreign power
in the construction of the canal or of max
ing the canal neutral.
The sentiment of the committee, as shown
by their action today in authorizing IA
Yorabie report on his BILL was in favor of
the entire and absolute control of the canal
by the United States.