Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1901-08-24
HAY TO VISIT PRESIDENT.
Conserenc, 20 he Held Mt Canton ON
south American situation

/ 10 ne tatiu NAhton Oh
south American situation.
Secretary Hay will soon visit the
to believe that the principal subject
to be discussed between the President
and the Secretary of State will be
| the present complications in South
America and the future course of this
government on the lsthmus of Pana-
ma. Furthermore. it is believed that
the members Of the Isthmlan Com
mission, which has been ready to re-
port for some time, has been instruct
ed to hold back its final report on the
various isthmian canal routes until
the present. troubles are over.
In spite of the general supposition
that the Nicaragua Canal is the only
practicable route for an isthmian
canal, and the great strength which
the Niearaguan route has secured in
the House of Representatives, as we'll
as in the Senate, there is doubt
whether the Isthmian Commission
will Recommend that route in it's re-
port.
1t is not at all improbable that the
commission NAV recommend the pur-
chase of the uncompleted Panama
Canal, provided its present holders
offer this Government advantageous
terms.
1t is understood that the interests be-
hind the Panama Canal have not yet
indicated that their last proposition
has been submitted.
This govenme MT will receive any
further suggestions that are made,
and it is for the purpose 0 + giving
the Panama people ample or portunity
TO make proposition before this
government commits itself that the
Ishmian Commission is delaying its
report. Ostensibly the reasons for
the delay of the report are some be-
lated engineering data which are es-
sential in making estimates of the
coast of constructing the Nicaraguan
Canal. But the true reason lies in
the desire to hear once more from the
The administration, it is stated,
has been thoroughly informed by the
members of the Isthmian Commits
sion of the condition of the Panama
Canal, and the careful surveys and es-
Inmates made by the engineers of the
cost of the two routes have shown
that the balance is in favor of the
Panama route
Up to the present time the projec
tors of the Panama Canal have not
offered this government any terms
which could be considered. They pro-
less their determination and their
ability to complete their project even
il this government decides to build a
rival route across Nicaragua,
The belief in Washington does not
bear outthis expression Of confidence,
and 1t is regarded as almost certain
that M. Hutin wo uld be willing TO
reopen negotiations.
1t is because this government de-
sires to be in position TO decide in
favor of either route that the diplo-
matte complications of the Isthmus SO
deeply engage Mr.. Hays attention and
will form the subject of an earnest
conference at Canton. The possibili-
ty of European Intervention in the
war of Colombia, as threatened by the
presence of the French cruiser Suchet
on the scene. particularly unwelcome.
The attitude of the government of
Colombia and Nicaragua would. of
course, be an important factor in the
choice of either of the two routes,
and this government is anxious, there
fore to maintain the triendliest rela-
tions with both governments. The
obligation of the treaty of 1916 to
maintain the sovereignty of Colon
bia over the Isthmus must be fulfilled
even if it involves the unpleasant
duty of landing troops and soundly
thrashing some Nicaraguan BUSH
whackers and filibusters, but every
step that is taken ON the Isthmus will
be made with careful regard for the
feelings of both governments.