The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-11
THE CANAL BILL BLOCKED
New Development in he Isthmian
Waterway Situation.
Great Britain Files the Claims of a
Company Which Has the Monopoly
gua-Acticn on the ay-PuuncefOte
Treaty Delayed by EngIand's Step.

Senator Morgan and his associates OF
the Committee on Inter-Oeeanic Canals
this morning learned Of a new develop
ment in the Isthmian Canal situation
which promises to act as strong argu-
ment against the desires Of the friends
Of the Nicaraguan waterway. Nj. Nor
gan this morning received notice from
the state Department that Great Britain
had flied the claims of Forward & Co,
the great English shipping corporation.
against any use being made of the San
Juan River. in Nicaragua, until after Sep
tender, 1927. the said Forward & Co. hav-
ing IN 1891 been granted an entire mo-
nopoIy of the transportation of passen-
gers and freight on the Sap Juan River
for a period Of thirty years The con
cession was given by the Nicaraguan
Congress and cannot be revoked.
This statement comes as a blow to the
friends of the Canal bill who have been
hoping to secure its passage at this ses-
sion Of Congress The note from the State
Department contains the announcement
that Great Britain viii take no steps to-
ward the ratification of the Hay-Paunce-
fote Treaty untn me just claims of her
subjects have been satisfied, since the
/ ayowed purpose Of the United States is TO
use the san Juan River as a long stretch
in the proposed waterway. This cannot
be done. il IS claimed, while the Forward
Company holds the monopoly.
There are but two courses to pursue,
II is said by those Senator's who are work
ing for the canal One is 10 purchase the
concession from the Forward Company and
the other to pay tribute On every vessel
passing through the San Juan River.
Neither Of these courses IS palatabIe to
this Government since the English cor
poration, II Is said, would refuse to sell
for less than $4,000, 00e and a toll paid
by each vessel would net even larger
sum.
It was admitted this morning that the
Nicaragua Canal could not be construct
ed without using the san Juan River,
therefore this Government was placed in
a peculiar quandary-
Senator Morgan has admitted that the
claims Of the Forward Company are legal
and cannot be put aside He stated this
morning that United States Consul Sors-
by, AZ Greytown. Nicaragua, had 50 in
formed him during the committee hear
+ inEs. but he had expected no trouble from
/ this source. The Forward Company
OWNS the Atlas Line. running from the
United States 10 Central and South
+ American ports. The Caribbean and Pa
( cifc Transit Company is a branch of the
Atlas Line The Forward Company is a
/ powerful corporation. and. besides deaf
/ ing IN transportation lines. constructs
/ railroads and canals
/ The concession granted the Atlas Com
{ pany was ratified in September, 1897, and
/ operates for thirty years, giving this cor
/ poration the absolute right and monop-
( oily to all transportation on the San
Juan river
! Il is row said tkat he new complfca-
! ton VIII so materially delay matters as
/ 20 make legislation on the canal impos-
sible at this session. Il is also said TO be
! another victory for the Panama lobby,
aud an attempt viii be made to force the
/ acceptance Of the Panama ditch in place
/ OF assuming numerous obligations.