The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-31
ACTION DELAYED
ON CANAL BILL.
Opponents Of NiCaFaguan
Route Making Plans.
PAKhHA'S CHANCES NOT HOPELESS.
Proposition to Have Congress Re
fer the Power to Locate the
Waterway to the President
Of the United States.

Opponents of the Nicaragua Canal are
rapidly formulating plans to delay action
in Congress looking toward the construc-
ton OF the Isthmian waterway. The op-
position naturally comes from two
sources. the advocates of the Panama
route and the trans-continentaI railways.
and these interests viii to a certain ex-
tent work together to defeat the propo-
sition to build the Nicaragua Canal
The Hepburn Canal bill viii be a spe-
cial order in the House beginning jan
uary :, the day after Congress recon
yeEes, and will so continue until finally
disposed of.
Senator Morgan, Chairman OF the Ca
nal Committee in the Senate, who has al
ready favorabIy reported the Canal bill
to that body. viii not ask its considera-
tion until the measure passes the House
Plans of the Opposition.
The opposition has decided upon the
following moves:
To ask that the selection of an IsthmIan
canal route be left to the President.
To ask for delay in order that the offer
Of the Panama Company to sell its inter-
ests &c this Government for $40 .0G1 ,00G
may be fully considered.
To ask that General Morgan's bill be
referred back to the committee. on the
ground that it was irregularIy reported
House FavOrs NIcaraguan Route.
All attempts to interfere with the Nica-
ragua Canal bill in the House viii be
productive Of no result as the sentiment
on both sides Of the chamber Is almost
unanimous in favor of the measure. and
the majority for Representative Hepburn's
bill VIII be very large Consequently. the
/ opposition viii concentrate its forces in
the Senate. although it is probable that
an amendment to make the selection Of
the route a matter for Presidential de-
termination win be offered in the House
/ This viii unquestionaS!y be defeated In
! the Senate. however. it viii be made the
blockade for indefinite discussion and de-
lay
Senator Lodge Is said to favor such an
amendment, and his close friendship with
the President will no doubt cause his Po-
sition 10 carry considerable influence.
Panama CnmDany's New Route
The question which is liable 10 attract
she most attention and be most effective
in delaying action is the proposed offer
| Of the Panama Company TO sell its inter
ests TO this Government for $50 600, 900.
Many members of Congress who are earn
| estIy in favor OF the building Of an 18th
mian canal believe that an offer of this
| kiad should not be passed by unpoticed-
| They think that perhaps IT may be bar
gain. especially as II is a reduction in
| price of nearly $70, 000. zoe from the amount
once demanded. They are willing to risk
! criticism rather than TO overlook the
/ chance Of making profitable investment.
/ n Lampre. the general secretary. o. he
! Panama Canal COMPANY. is now on his
/ way to Washington. and il IS expected
/ that he viii come fully authorized 20
make an ofIer to this Government for The
| sale of the property and r CHS Of his com
pany.
/ Alleged Irregular Action.
The proposition 10 refer Senator Nor
/ gan's Nicaragua Canal bill back to the
committee is made upon The assertion that
action was taken before the committees
we're announced and recognized. and that
since that tine three additional members
/ have been placed upoa he committee
| should this be done it viii afford oppor-
tunity for the delay which the Panama
people advocate
I There has been much said about the i'm
! possibility of the United States securing
clear title to the Panama canal. As
| matter Of fact. the Canal Commission. Of
!
an exhaustive investigation into the ffnan-
| ciaI status of the French company. and
reached the unanimous conclusion that an
absolute title could pass TO the United
States There are no large number Of
stockholders whose claims would have to
be satisfied, Notwithstanding the reiter-
ated assertions TO the contrary.
1t has also been said that the concession
| OF the French company contains a clause
| which prohibits it from selling OF at
tempting to sell its property. While this
is true the Colombian Government has
already informed this country and the
company that it is ready to waive this
restriction and will do all in its power to
enable the United States to purchase the
Panama canal and VIII grant any rights,
exclusive of actual sovereignty over the
territory. that the United States might
desire
| Favors the Panama Route
| Secretary Hay. it is said. believes that
everything being equal the Panama route
| should be secured by the United States
for the reason that II the United States
should build the canal across Nicaragua
any foreign power or combination OF
! powers could complete the Panama canal
and become dangerous competitor of
this Government
VAST HOLDINGS TO BE SOLD.