Evening star., 1901-04-02
Statement Regarding Mr. Morgan's
Offers Denied.
PRESIDENT HUTIN GIVEN FREE HAND
Report That He is to Be Dis
placed Contradicted.
NO FOREIGN PROTESTS

An authoritative and sweeping denial Is
afforded at the State Department to a pub
lished statement that Mr.. Pierpont Nor
gan has submitted to the government a
proposition to acquire by purchase the
rights Of the French company in the Pana-
ma canal. and to complete that project un-
der conditions that will make the enterprise
acceptable to the United States government
from political point of view without in
volving the government in expense. 1t is
said that exchanges have been in progress
between the State Department and the va
rfous interests representing the two great
canal projects, but so far without concrete
results. The Colombian minister here has
made several visits to the State Depart
ment and submitted, orally and in writing.
statements of the wishes of his government
in the premises. Nothing has been heard
directly from the Panama Canal Company
since the adjournn ent of Congress, and al
together it is not expected that any posi-
tive achievement could be accomplished in
the exchanges with these canal company
until the diplomatic field has been cleared
by the drafting of new treaty to be SUBJ
mitted to the next Senate in lieu of the
failed Hay-Pauncefote treaty.
Hutin Not to He Displaced.
1t is stated in authoritative quarters that
there is no ground for reports that NJ.
Hutin will be displaced by NJ. Brunau-
Varla as president of the Panama Canal
Company. NJ. Hutin has been in Wash
ington for several weeks In connection with
the pending discussion in canal affairs, and
those occupying close relations with him
say that he has recently been reelected for
another term president, and that the
controlling influence of the company is
gratified with his administration of affairs
NJ. Brunau-Varilla was engineer and former
contractor OF the company, and as he has
recently been making some addresses in
this country. it has been inferred that he
would take the place Of NJ. Hutin, which,
however, is said to be a contingency which
cannot occur in view Of NJ. Hutin's recent
election.
View at the French Embassy.
At the French embassy the published re-
port that the French company was about to
be sold out in bulk to an American concern
was treated as an amusing canard, and
number Of particulars in the report were
pointed out to be contrary to the facts.
The French company has no relation what
ever to the French government, and yet
the French officials are naturally interested
In affairs in which French capital is so
largely invested. Moreover, for several
weeks past Mr.. Hutin, president of the
company. has been in Washington and has
spent much of his time in informal and
friendly communication with the members
Of the embassy. This has permitted them
to have very thorough idea of the status
of the enterprise, viewed by the officials
in chief authority.
AS to the statement that Mr.. Hutin was
about to be deposed from the presidency OF
the company, 1t is pointed out that while
he was in Washington he received advices
that at a meeting in Paris, held about
four weeks ago. he was reelected to the
presidency for another term. About. the
middle of last week he received a further
cable dispatch from Paris in effect giving
him carte blanche In the affairs of the
concern. Mr.. Hutin made secret of
the status Of affairs, and for that rea-
such gigantic project should mature since
he left here last Friday. At that time
he gave no intimation that any such move
was even contemplated Furthermore, the
statement that he Is about to sail for
home, where his deposition will be consum-
mated, Is at variance with the expecta-
tion here. He left with the intention of
returning to Washington, and instead of
sailing for Paris. it is said he will be
back here very soon, probably tonight.
He went to New York for the purpose Of
attending the election Of the board of d.
rectors Of the Panama Railway Company.
This Is an American company, and is an
entirely separate concern from the canal
company, with American officials and an
American board of directors elected in New
York.
1t is thought to be quite possible that
this company may have become confused
with the canal company.
Report to PrOtests Denied.
In other respects. some of the important
statements made in the publication are
pointed out to be quite at variance with
official information. For instance the
statement that France and Germany have
notified the United States that they cam
not view with equanimity the construction
of canal exclusively under American con-
troll would create serious condition If
such notices had in fact been conveyed to
the United States. But the State Depart
ment and the German government have de-
MED that any such representations have
been made, and it is also stated In author
itative quarters that the French govern
ment has given no such intimation or no.
tice. In short, the entire story is looked
upon as most ingenious and conscience
less fabrication