The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1901-06-16
ISTHMIAN CANAL PROJECT
Commission Considers Panama Plant
Worth Forty Million Dollars.
CLAIM CONSPIRACY AGAINST NICARAGUA
Prominent Republicans Said to Be Sup
porting OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Hepburn Hints at Wronedoine.

Washington. June 15.--Admiral walters
report on the lsthmian canal VIII soon bo
ready FOR Transmission to the president.
rbe report is more favorable 10 the
Panama project than was the preli minaIy
report Of the commission. The members
Of the commission now increase by about
100000 their estimate OF the present
value OF the Panama property. In round
figures, they think the Panama plant
worth SiO0oO,oO0. But they point out
that this does not include the $40, O00, 600
Of stock held by the French people.
In other words, If the United States
could buy the Panama plant Ter $4,000
900. In the opinion OF tho commission. It
would be a bargain. But this is known
10 be impossible.
II is asserted By friends Of the Mica
ragua route that a powerful conspiracy
has been formed to ''hold up the canal
enterprise, partly In the interests Of the
Panama people and partly at the lnsti-
cation of the transc0ntinental railway in
terests Indeed II Us charged that these
two Interests have virtually combined;
and that they have among their support
ers some OF the most prominent men In
the republican party.
IL Is declared here that the recent pub
ucRtion 10 the effect that Pierpont Nor.
gan was about to take hold Of the Panama
enterprise was inspired by the New York
law firm which represents the Panama
09nM company, and that there was a
little more In II than mere smoke Mr.
Morgan has not yet undertaken to finance
the Panama ditch. and probably never
VIII Dc 50. Bnt It is not certain that
name 90 the project. ~ thereby the Mica
raguan canal bill can be defeated
hepfese .is I'VE Hepburn 9f Iowa, whd
canal bill In the house last winter il
preparing for the struggle OF the next
session. He is well aware that the pan,
anna people and the transcOntinent in
terests- are working together and attempt.
Ing 10 detent the Nicaragua bin; He be-
ssd to sh' psSe 9pey 9S9s mFprpsy
and predicts that some republicans Will
emerge. from the coming conflict In a
N Mr. Hepburns opinion the american
people want the Nicaragua c11al and
Will not be satisfied congress- wants
me Panama railway. conspiracy 70 Inter.
fere with tho actual beginning of work
upon mat great enterprise, The Panama
company VIII NOT make definite offer
OF sale. In fact, NJ. Hutin, the pres D mt
says his company can not sell, hut Is
Willing 70 tahe the American government
Although Secretary Hay and Lord
/ Pauncefote are doing their best to bring
about an ngeemant between their gov.
crnments on ths canal question, the pros
/ poets are not considered bright Score.
/ Gary Hay insists upon establishing the
/ neutrality prlnGl1le only In Time OF peace.
/ leaving tne unified States free hand IN
/ time az war In thls be follows the judg.
] ment of the senate, MS expressed in It's
| amentmentg last winter. witch were re.
jected W Great Britain. Although It Is
/ understood Lord Panucefote will try to
/ the pvoposltion, diplomats do nor think
ne VIII succeed The, british govern
! In time OF peace Is TO neutrality at all,
as peace Itself Is neutrality
AT the same time 1t liz morally certain
that unless the two governments get to-
Ecther upon some Amicable PLAN con,
gres- VIM take the hit between It's teeth
ard 1orog1te the old treaty regardless Of
the attitude Of Grent Britaln.