The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-05-02
NICARAGUA CANAL.
Congressman Ball Vigorously Advocated
Its Construction.
FURTHER DELAY UNNECESSARY.
Treaties, Ancient or Modern, Are Not
to Be Considered.
is OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENTS
Bee They Are Unworthy Of True
| Or ,s ,i%erlcanIsm.
t,6sa a.. eao, lssl,ssas
IMMENSE BtHa. !" ie,% DERIVED
100
Commercial Expansion Demands til e
is OPPOSED TO THE AMENDMENTS
Bee . They Are Unworthy Of True
enire ..mericaniSm.
Commercial Expansion Demands til e
building of the Canal To Relieve
Commerce from ENtortion.
Special to The Post)

Especial to The Post)
Washington, May 1.-The friends OF the
Nicaragua canal today had an inning in
the house. The bill came up for discus
sion as agreed and many of the leaders
who favor this necessary legislation were
given time to tell the people of the coun-
try the truth. Among them was Hon,
Tom Ball who in his admirable speech
said in part
THE vast commercial interests OF our
country want action now upon this propo-
sition without waiting upon treaties, an
clent or modern, or for reports from
superhuous commission, created by the
last congress- to delay action in the work
of constructing the Nicaragua canal. The
best engineering thought to be had con-
cedes that it is possible to construct the
canal and navigate 1t with the largest yes
sell. that ability 20 construct and operate
locks of requisite dimensions has been
demonstrated by the Manchester, Keil and
Sioux-St Margs canals, that 1t is possible
to control the water necessary for naviga-
ton and regulate the floods; that the
water supply is sufficient; harbor facilities
can be had, and that the interests in
volved Justify the cost of construction.
II am in favor of tho original bill, with
out amendments, which provides in effect
for the cor struction, ownership, operation
and defense OF the canal by the United
states government in the face of the
defunct Clayton Bulwer treaty and the eff
fort to galvanize It's corpse by The unrati-
fed Hay -Pauncefote treaty, which ought
never TO be tolerated by an American sem
ate. am not blind. however TO The sig
Inihcance of the proposed amendments to
/ be offered by the committee, nor do !
agree with the distinguished chairman
tCMr. repburnl that the words proposed to
be inserted have no different meaning In
effect from the words to be stricken out.
The very fact that the changes proposed
we're in response to a desire for harmony'
nnd made as concession disproves such
claim. The word defend Is sought to be
stricken out and the word protect in
serted; the words fortihcalons for de-
Tense are 20 give way to provisions for
defense
snow should The bill be thus amended
and become q law, and afterward the sen
ate should ratify the Hay Pauncefote
treaty. would any lawyer contend that the
hill. as passed, and the treaty were incon-
sis4ont or that the guaranteed neutrality
of the canal by the United States ana
Great Britain could not be properly con
strued as provisions for defense after we
had struck ont Notifications from the
bill itselfY think mot.
in fairness to the house and in justice
Ito myself / have thus candidly expressed
NV views as to the significance of the
amendments proposed, and l shall there
fore vote against them. 1t does not fol-
low. however, that II the amendments are
adop.ed that my vote will be cast against
the bill. Should the bill thus amended
become a law il win not preclude this
government IRON controlling and fortify-
ing the canal or exercising all the rights
of ownership. unless tne Hay Paunce,ote
treaty is ratified. For Its defeat we must
look TO the manhood patriotism and
Ameri, ami I'M of the representatives OF SOW
ereigu states In the senate Of the Unitel
States. We Will follow the wishes OF tn.
American people aud provide for an
American canal, free from the domination
interference or control of amy foreign
power II the senate should change thl'
situation the responsibility will be uroi
their shoulders. not ours. II the amend
ments prevail here, shall vote for the bill
as amended. There are two reasons ad
vsnced for the construction Of the canal
one is as a strategic measure for the pro
, lection of our coasts and the operation o
our navies: the other TO advance our CONS
mercial and industrial Interest.
ITO carry out the iirst, woui
never vote the money carried b
I this bill. The latter considerable
controls my action. / am In fnvo
OF commercial expansion. want
bring New York and Texas mn
communication with California an
oreEnn By n water route that wi
y compel the great railways OF tn
country TO cease their eyhcuof
upon our Internal commerce.
This canal will bring the coal a I'D iron
Pennsylvania. Ohio, Kentucky enness
and Alabama. and the cotton from
fields OF Mississippi, Louisiana. Ge9rs
and Texas. the products from the mills
!. North aud South Carolina, and ~ gsa