The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-28
FIGHT FOR THE
GREAT CANAL
The Panama Proposition
garded as a Means
Of Delay.
Of Delay.
(By Associated Prcss.)

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 27.-The
Star prints The following:
INC day after the House of Representa-
lives convenes the night for the Nicaragua
canal hill VIII beSin 1t promises to be
d noiable contest, and II The intentions
when certain gentlemen are supposed to
enLertain are carried out, there VIII be
some breaking OF heads. Leglslatively
speaking.
The banana Canal scheme is expected
to snow up again. The motto OF the
friends of the lnteroccanic canal pro-
ject viii be d parapnrase OF the cele-
brated Kilkenny Slogan: Every time
you see Panama head crack it.
The Panama proposition, in the opln-
ion Of eve,g Senator and Representative
who is sincerely in favor. Of action on a
canal bill, is to be put forward solely
for the purpose of delaying action. There
is no question that such would be the
result OF the move, and 1T is generally
believed that such is its purpose. The
Two leaders OF the isthmian canal cam
paign Senator Morgan and Representa-
tive Hepburn, have expressed thelr views
on this score repeatedly. MIR. Hepburn
reiterated them to-day to a Star reporter.
1.-The purpose and effect of interfering
the Panama purchase proposition at TINS
time" he said, would be to delay the
building of the canal. l cannot believe
that with all the information at tiand
upon the subject, Congress will permit II
self to be diverted in that way
The Panama offer, as it is expected to
be put before Congress, is declared to be
Gisingenuous. 1t will be claimed for 1T
that since the 1sthmian Canal Commission
reported TO the President the Panama
people have lowered their TERMS, and are
now willing to sell their canal at q price
that would be advantageous. Ihat kino
Of an offer is expected to appeal TO the
supposed economical spirit of the Ameri-
can Congress.
1t will be quickly pointed out, however.
that the apparent money reduction Is IN
reality of no consequence in the tranSac-
,icn. In opinions heretofore officially eN-
pressed the Panama Canal would be dear
at any price There are so many difficult
ties in the way of acquiring the Panama
property that the doubt has been express
ed whether a good title could possibly be
obtained At best it could not be had
without years of delay, with untold pos
sibilities of bitches in the negotiations
and ultimate failure.
The Panama canal proffer will probably
follow the lines of the offer mace last
session. That was the transfer OF the
company's concessions to company 70
be chartered in some State. the onlteo
States to have an interest in the stock;
not. however. such as to conflict with
the concessions from Colombia. Such
transaction is declared not only TO be
difficult and questionable, but open TO
constitutional objection.
..The accordance of stock and the APP
pointment of a part of the directors IN
such a company by the United states
would find no liberation III the Constllu.
ton" Senator Morgan holds. 1T "ouio
invite conflict with other powers ana
o,,I
government in common depTaVlty.
The Isthnian Canal Commission, in its
re,,ort of last year, pointed out the dlfn-
rultics in the way of dickerlng with the
Panama people.
..A new arrangement is necessary II the
United States is to undertake such WORK
s.ia that re,,ort THE REIMBURSEMENT by
tho canal company, with the consent OF
Colombia. of the privileges it has under
existing concessions, for consideration
to be agreed upon with the United States.
would leave the way open for treaty neso-
tiations between the two governments tc
ascertain whether Colombia VIII consent
to the occupation of its territory by the
limited States for the construction of n
canal to be under Government control,
management and ownership, and, If so.
Whether thew can agree upon terms mu-
tuaily satisfactory.
THE situation is peculiar, as there are.
three parties in interest. The United
States can enter into no agreement with
Colombia that does not have the approval.
of the company and the concessions do
not permit the company to transfer or
attempt to transfer its rights to a foreign
Government"
But nevertheless and notwithstanding.
and in spite of all that has been written
in the press. spoken in Congress and re-
ported upon officially, to illustrate the fu-
t;lity of dallying with the Panama
scheme, there is every indication of re-
newal OF the Panama campaign, and it
is whispered that some wel-known mem
bers of each house of Congress may be
found pushing it.
Early notice will be served upon them,
however, that if they do appear as advo-
Gates Of that project they will be prompt
ly aligned with the enemies Of an 18th
mian canal and will have to take their
places with the transcontinental railway
continuation which has been persistently
fighting the canal project.
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