Evening star., 1901-12-31
Increasing Panama Talk.

reached or not by republican senators, 1t is
certain that there is an increasing amount
of talk in favor of the Panama scheme
among certain senators, and it is equally
certain, in the minds of the isthmian canal.
people, that if it continues it will embar-
rass pending legislation.
One of the latest theories advanced by
the Panama advocates in Congress in sup
port of their attitude is the suggestion that
while the United States is negotiating with
Costa Rica and Nicaragua for the right of
way of the canal through their territory
it may be wise to keep the Panama route in
view as a possible alternative to induce
better terms.
that this excuse lacks plausibility They
say the Nicaragnans have every reason to
make terms that will induce this govern
ment to build the canal through their ter
ritory, and that in point of fact this gov
e.nment can get the most favorable terms
from Nicaragua and Costa Rica, and Is
even now in position to secure them.
So, in whatever aspect it is viewed, the
proposition to take up the Panama offek
for consideration is said to lead only
delay and embarrassment. The very firS(
step after the decision to even faVorably
consider the offer would be the entrance
upon long period of investigation to de-
termine its validity and of diplomatic ne
sOtiation to clear away difficulties whose
magnitude is at present unknown
Commission's Report.
According to the report of the isthmian
canal commission, recently sent to Con-
gress sit was manifest that even If the
privilege of the companies could be pur-
chased by and transferred to the United
States they We're ineumbered with charges.
and conditions that would not permit this
government to exercise all the rights of
complete ownership over canal construct
ed by it at the Panama route.
The commission reported that the New.
Panama Canal Company has the entire con-
troll and management of the canal property,
but that the liquidator appointed by the
French court to settle the affairs of the old
company contributed under the charter all
the privileges and property of that company
TO the new organization, and In considera-
ton of this contribution he Will be enutled
TO receive 60 per cent of the net income
after paving all expense charges and stipu-
lated dividends to be. distributed by him
among the parties in interest.
ut will thus be manifest continued the
report that if an agreement be made for
the purchase of the companyS concession
| and property by the United States, it must
| include some settlement of this right which
the French court has placed under the
| control of the liquidator, and if sale is
| effected by the liquidator must unite in 1t
| under the authority of the court from
| which he received his appointment"
| Litigation in French Courts.
! Thus. there will have to be litigation in
| the French courts before even the title to
| the physical property can be acquired by
| the United States Aside from this, how
| ever is the fact that the concession
| which the Frenchmen propose to sell is
not in perpetuity. but reyerts to the Co
| lombian government after term of years.
| The United States would have to make its
! own bargain with Colombia for the perpet-
| ual control of the canal, such as is con-
| templated by Congress
| The situation in Congress today, summar-
| lied is this: On one side are men who
| favor an isthman canal, and, recognizing
the possibility of getting one quickly and
| surely by the adoption of the Nicaragua
route are supporting the Nicaraguan bill.
Nowhere in sight is there an obstacle to the
| speedy accomplishment of the canal pro-
| ject along the Nicaraguan route.
| On the other side are some senators who
| saw they want a canal but are inclined to
| the Panama purchase. On the same side
| with them are the transcontinental rail-
| ways, opposed TO any canal and who see
| in the support of the Panama proposition
| the best way to stave off action. Also or
that side are the stockholders of the Panama
! company, who, If they cannot sell theil
| own property to the United States, do not
| want any other canal to be built, which
would destroy their railroad as well as
| their other concessions"