Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-01-18
REPUBLICANS
CAUCUS ON CANAL
Decide Not to Take Up the Bill for
t0e Present.
AWAIT ENGLAND'S ACTION.
Not Deemed Advisable TO Take Mat
ter Up while British Cabinet Hat
subject Under Consideration.

Washington, Jan. 1S.-The Republican
senators decided today not 10 set a day,
at least for the present, for taking up
the Nicaragua canal bill. The decision
was reached after an hour and a half
spent in caucus and was unanimous.
The caucus was called largely because
OF Senator Morgan's opportunities In
behalf OF the bill and an effort was
made to effect a satisfactory solution OF
the problem. There was general ex-
change OF views and many speeches
were made but after all had been said,
the senators concluded that so long as
Great BiTtain's attitude toward the
amendments 10 the Hay-Pauncefote
treaty is underlined II would not be
wise or expedient to agitate the ques-
ton OF the construction Of the proposed
canal. Senator Allison, chairman Of the
caucus, was authorized TO make this
statement TO Senator Morgan and other
friends Of the canal bill and 10 the
public In general In giving 1t out he
laid stress upon the fact that this com
clusion was for the present He also
stated that the question OF what at
tention should be given to the ship
subsidy bin and 10 the appropriation
bills was not discussed, and that the
matter is IN the hands Of the Senate
The decision Of the caucus as above
eiyen was embodied In resolution
resented by Senator Lodge, who stat
ed that the conclusion as thus set forth
was the result OF the best deliberations
OF the committee on order of business.
He EXPRESSED his own firm conviction
that at least for the present IL would
be out OF place 10 press the canal ques-
ton while the treaty Is stlll a subject
Of negotiation and England's attitude
Is not completely defined. Notwith-
standine the formal decision 10 leave
the canal question In allegiance for the
time being. several senators gave notice
that In case there should be- motion
to take up the canal bin they would not
be bound by the resolution adopted but
would vote for a motion % consider In
this expression OF independence, Sena-
tor Plat, OF New York, was the leader.
n said he considered the proposed ca
nal OF prime importance and would not
refrain from voting 10 take ID up when
ever motion 10 that effect was made.
Senators Simon Foster pnl Bard fol-
lowed with similar delegations no
decision was reached upon other Ques-
lions because no formal action was con-
sidered necessary There was. however,
considerable discussion OF other ques-
tons Among these were the ship sub
sidy bill. the war revenue reduction
bin. the confirmation of Mr.. Harlan as
attorney general OF Porto Rico, the
ratification Of the treaty with Spain FOR
the acquisition Of some Of the Philip
pine islands not included In the original
Paris treaty and the appropriation bills.
CABINET DISCUSSES TREATY.
London. Jan. lS.-The amended Hay
Pauncefote treaty was discussed at a
protracted cabinet conference today.
The secretary of state for foreign ar
fairs. the Marquis OF LansdoWne, has
taken no action so far He probably
viii cmb0dy the result Of the celibera-
tiOns In a dispatch OF iu an interview
with the United States ambassador
Mr.. Joseph II. Choate, Monday. The
exact decision arrived at Is guarded
with secrecy An impression exists that
the cabinet confined itself 10 authoriz.
Ing Lord Lansdowne TO have further
conference with Mr. Choate. the lines
Of which. naturally are not given out.
TREATY RUMORS OFFICIALLY DE-
MED.
Washington. Jan. ls.-A dispatch
from London dated yesterday says;
There is authority for the statement
that Lord Pauncefote Informed the
Washington government months ago
that England would not object either
10 the fertilization Of the waterway or
he suspension OF the Clayton Bulwer
treaty.
"The secretary Of states authorizes
the absolute contradiction Of this state
ment. He has never received any such
assurance from Lord Pauncefote nor
from any one else.