The Washington times., 1901-10-18
PANAMA CANAL PROPOSAL.
Negotiations between Hutin and the
Isthrnina Car, mission

| -'tE"tihttons between Eutin ANA the
IsthminB ConsmiSsion.
The first steps in the negotiations ia
| regard to the transfer of Panama Canal
interests were taken yesterday. when
| Maurice Hutin, President of the Board
| OF Directors Of the Panama Canal Com
! PaEy. held two long conferences with
| Rear Admiral Walker. Chairman of the
/ lsthman Canal Commission. and other
/ members Of that body. While it is unGcf-
/ stood that NJ. Hutin made 40 definite
| proposition, yet the action taken at the
| meeting was the consideration of the
| plan to be followed in the transfer of in
| terests. The matter was taken up piece
| by piece at the conferences yesteriay.
/ and the question was not considered as
an entirety. NJ. Hutin, who speaks but
| little English, was accompanied by NJ.
| Jules BOeufve, Chancellor of the French
| Embassy. who acted as interpreter.
| a conference was held yesterday morn
| ing in the rooms of the Isthmian Canal
Commission, in the Corcoran Building.
Several matters were discussed pertain
! ing TO the canal, and Admiral Walker
was able to obtain some definite idea of
the position of NJ. Hutin. In the after
noon second conference was held. which
lasted until o'clock. There were present
Rear Admiral Walker, ex-senator Pasco
of the commission, NJ. Hutin, and NJ
Boeufve.
At the conclusion OF the conference
Admiral Walker was asked several ques-
uons which went TO the basis Of the
present canal situation, but he declined
to answer either yes" or no to any of
them. II am dumb said Admiral Walk
er,- so far as any discussion of the busi-
ness of NJ. Hutin is concerned. There
is absolutely nothing that ! can say at
this time, nor is there anything of any
vital interest" NJ. Hutin made a similar
statement. refusing to discuss the work
which had been accomplished by the two
conferences already held. He said, how
ever, that his business before the COM
mission would be of considerable dura-
ton, and that his stay in Washington
would probably be indefinite.
A conference will be again held today
between NJ. Hutin and Admiral Walker,
together with other members of the Com
mission, who can be called at this time
II is understood that NJ. Hutin at the
conference yesterday introduced into his
statement to Admiral Walker the figure
which will be demanded for the Panama
Canal interests. This figure, however,
represents NJ Hutins estimate The old
estimate was between $j4. .OOO,000 and $780,
VI IL
learned, was in the neighborhood of $I0,.
100000. to which he adds an additional
sum of <2O,OJ0OJO to $50, eco 900 as a bonus.
This Will make the entire estimate ap-
proXimately from $4,000 go to $1,000 Otl.
These figures, however, are NJ Hutin's S
Since his visit to France, he has obtained
from the board OF directors the estimate
of that body. 1t is believed that NJ
Hutin will not make an announcement of
the estimates made by the board which
he repre- eseHts, and Of which he is presi-
dent, until after some understanding has
been reached with the Canal Commission
According to a report which has been
circulated, the board of directors of the
Panama Canal Company has valued the
property at S1I0 900, 900, a figure so high as
to make it certain that all negotiations
shall cease until lower sum is agreed 10
on the part of the directors Of the COM
pany. The question of bonus to the
French directors will also probably prove
a stumbling block in the way of a speedy
decision of the Canal Commission.
NJ Hutin will lay before the Canal
Commission in due course of time. proba-
bly, within a few days, the proposition
which it is understood he is prepared to
make on behalf of the board Of directors
of the Panama Canal Company. The es-
Inmates which he will give to Admiral
Walker include the valuation of machin-
cry used and now on the site of the canal I
and will take into consideration the labor
which has already been expended upon
the great waterway.
The question will also probably arise as
to whether France or French stockhold- |
ers will be allowed to retain an interest
in the canal Should such a question be |
brought up. it can be safely said that
under no consideration will the Canal |
consider any plan which does /
not provide for the complete ownership (
of the canal by the United States.
The arrival Of NJ. Hutin as the official /
Of the Panama Canal Com /
pany has aroused fresh interest on the /
part Of the hackers of the Nicara guam |
route. There still seems to be a seuti- !
ment that the Commission is disposed to 1
that route in preference to the Panama |
passage. on certain grounds. The natter /
Is sure to be freely aired in the next Con- |
sress. and 1t is said that a stronger iabby |
than ever will be present to fi-u. the /
canals.
NJ. Boeufve, the Chancellor of the /
French Embassy, when the qus~.isl has /
reached more advanced stag. .Fil rob I
ably he called upon to repre,-' -..e In
terests Of the French Govern ..r N the /
matter. The Colombian Cove. -.,.nt is
also deeply concerned and VIII take a
part in the case at the proper time. when
that country considers that tle critical
has arrived for her par r-icipation.