Evening star., 1901-12-30
Extraordinary Activity of the Pana.
ma Lobby.
EFFORT TO BLOCK LEGISLATION
Agent Coming From Paris With a
New Offer.
DIFFIC ULTIES STATED

There are indications that the Panama
canal LOBBY, backed by the transcontinental
railway combination is engaged in a cam
paign having for it's object the blocking OF
the isthmian canal bill in the Senate.
Events of the past three or four days have
shown outcropping in many quarters of
the effects of the vigorous propaganda Gn-
der way.
The most serious feature of the situation
is the facs that some United States sena-
tors, who heretofore have been regarded as
acquiesce3t, at least, in the popular de
mand for the construction of the canal.
have suddenly become solicitous lest the
United States is about to overlook a great
bargain in the Panama canal property.
These gentlemen are now counseling delay
to permit further inspection of the offer of
the Panama people, especially in view of
the reported reduction of terms bv the
Panama company.
New Otter Coming.
Publications setting forth the alleged ad-
vantages OF the Panama route and recount
ing supposed difficulties in the way of
other routes have appeared simultaneously
with the departure of an agent of the
Panama company from Paris, on his way
to this country to offer lower terms than
President Hutin of the canal company pre-
SeUltu ~ the lSlIIlldH canal COMMISSION
last month Interviews are appearing ia
voring the Panama route, and it is stated
today that Senator Depew while in Paris
on his present trip will look into the
Panama offer. Everything points to ex-
traordinary activity on the part of those
who, for one reason another. would
hamper the construction of a canal.
The community of interest between the
Panama Canal Company and the trans
continental railways is well understood.
of course. Both are violently opposed to
the acquisition of the Nicaragua route, the
party of the first part for the reason that
then the Panama property would become a
total loss, and the party of the second part
for the reason that the Nicaragua canal,
owned, controlled and operated by the
United states, as government institution,
could not be manipulated and traffic rates
pooled. could be done if the Panama
route is selected.
Cannot Be Owned by Government.
The Panama canal cannot be owned by
the government. Senator Morgan has
pointed out that the part of the United
States would be that of a minority stock
holder in a New Jersey corporation. The
Panama Canal Company, the Panama Rail-
way Company and the transcontinental
railway combine are associated in trade
and it has been stated in the United States
Senate, by contract. 1t is into this CO.
partnership the United States would have
to enter If it takes up the offer of the
new Panama Canal Company.
II no canal is built the Panama company
will enjoy the earnings of its isthman rail-
way, there will still be hope of ultimately
doing something with the Panama canal
and the transcontinental carriers will keep
up their freight rates.
The friends of the isthmian canal in
Congress have not opposed the Panama
route, per sc. They wanted canal and
wanted 1T as quickly as it could be obtained.
Official Investigations. long and searching
have led to the conclusion that the Panama
project is involved in difficulties almost
insurmountable, and certainly not to be
overcome without great delay and much
vexation.
Difficulties In Panama Project.
These difficulties have been commented
upon from time to time First is the ques-
tion of validity of title. The concession of
the Panama company from the Colombian
government provides for forfeiture of the
concession If it is sold. There would have
to be negotiations to have that amended
Then the stockholders in the old Panama
company have some kind of a lien on the
new corporation, not thoroughly under
stood The physical advantages of the two
routes may be fairly said to be a ques-
uon stllI OF dispute, with the weight of
evidence in favor of the Mica ragua route
Those who want canal built and built
quickly claim that there is no occasion for
further investigation of the Panama offer
They say that such proposition is purely
dilatory motion. devoid of sincerity and
certain, If adopted, to result in delay if
not in defeat of canal legislation of prac-
tical character
Everything is propitious, they say, for
action on the Nicaraguan bill. The iron is
hot,-the country interested, money is in the
treasury to start the work. the Central
American republics in interest are favor
able. and 1t is demanded that there shall
be no more filibusterng