The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-02-19
HE Nicnrnrun CnnnI Rrport.

On Saturday Representative Hepburn OF
Iowa. Chairman NJ the House Committee
on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, sub
Hepburn Nicaragua Canal bill The re-
port strongly urges the passage of the
measure. and is a most important as Sell
as interesting document at this time, since
1t distinctly joins the issue between the
friends in Congress OF the American canal
idea. and those who favor waterway to
be controlled by our most active and ag-
greSsiye commercial rival.
There is a pleasant flavor OF honest.
courageous Americanism in the report
which il does ores heart good TO see. II
a majority OF our legislators are in agree
ment with IL patriotic spirit. there is little
enough chance that the Executive Depart
ment of the Government will be permitted
10 commit country to any formal.
constructive. or tacit surrender of the Mon
roe Doctrine during the present Adminis-
traiion. Its language and its logic ought
TO serve as perpetual notice that no ADAM
donment OF American interests. rights. and
position such as is contemplated in the
Hay Pauncefote Treaty should ever again
be recommended to the Congress Of the
United States.
Mr.. Hepburn reviews the subjects OF
cost AID revenue, both being more or less
in nebufous ccpdition at present. 0rigi-
nally. IL was thought that the Nicaragua
Canal could be built for forty-five million
dollars: but that estimate was on a basis
OF merchant and war vessels drawing not
more than fifteen feet of water. At pres
ent the general view is that possibly it
may take one hundred and forty-ive mil
lion dollars to complete the work and pro-
vide for a ditch thirty feet deep and one
hundred and fifty feet wide. Even the in
creased depth named might not be enough
to leave an entirely safe margin for some
of our present or future battleships.
We are delighted TO observe the short
work Mr. Hepburn makes of the Hay
Pauncefote proposition to deny all con-
troll. or any advantage to this country and
its people, in connection with an enter
prise wholly American in necessity and
conception. He says:
IF IL should Dc iif n1nrA 10 use lie canal 10
stimulate the building up of our merchant marine,
il could be irade most powerful factor. \
British merchant trading from any port IN Great
Britain TO Hongkofg ehsrteIisg a six-thous1nd-
ton vessel and using the suez Canal, nmst pay
a. tolls a sum in excess OF ciglitecn thousand
dollars for the round voyage. His American
rival trading from New York TO iIongkong US
ing the Nicaragua Canal free Of toll because
he used vessel made in an American ship
yard out OF American material and by
American labor. and loaded with American
merchandise. would posscss marked adyartage-
advantages 70 marked as TO make il his inter
ct TO stimulate American shipbuildirg.
1T is this Kind OF a canal-that may be used
in this Notwithstanding in favor Of our MGR
chants and siipbuildcTS and labor Of
such should be ihc policy Of the G0veruinonti--
that your committee are anxious TO secure"
Language of the above character nearly
takes ones breath away after reading the
Hay Pauncefote agreement never. no n.se.',
to-give an American ship any advantage
Of a foreign bottom. But the report pre-
sents the idea in serious good faith;
arguing that our natural position. re-
sources, and power give us an advan-
tage which II would be wrong in us not
to seize All commercial success crises
from utilizing natural or artificial adj
yantages. and we are entitled to make
such determinations as will give our
commerce superior chance over that
of competing states. We do the same
thing in effect for the benefit Of certain
monopolies favored by the Republican
party when we put prohibitiye TARIFF
upon commodities such rs they produce.
Surely we may maintain a similar policy
toward our whole ocean carrying trade.
which. however. is hardly yet out of its
swaddlng clothes and needs the kind OF
canal Mr.. Hepburn would give us as a
wet nurse.
II any person is in doubt concerning the
preseriptive right OF this paramount
American power to construct and operate
a canal in Central America. without ask
ing and receiving the consent of Great
Britain or any other European govern
ment, that timornus doibter will finG COM
fort and conviction In the Hepburn report.
It's argument on this point Is terse and
conclusive. There is nc groSnd for ques-
tiouing the right of England to build,
operate. and control a canal within her
own dominions. There is every reason for
denying that she has any right to interfere
With canals built by her neighbors within