Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-10-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.


Washington, Oct. 21st, 1901.
While no definite official statement
has been made, President Roosevelt
has permitted it to be made known
that a draft for new Hay Raunce-
fote treaty is completed and will be
handed to the senate as soon as Con-
gress convenes. The prominent fea-
lures of the new treaty are the super
cedence of the Clayton Bnlwer treaty
by the new convention, the guaran-
tee of the United States that the
canal shall be neutral and the exclu-
sive right of the United States to for
tify it. These are practically the
only points that excited opposition
when the former treaty was before
the Senate, and now that they con-
form to the Senate's reco mmenda-
tons, there is every reason to believe
that the treaty will be promptly rati-
fed. The ratification of this treaty
will remove the chief obstacle to
canal legislation, and it is confidently
predicted that definite action, leading
to the construction of an Isthmian
Canal, Will be undertaken by the fiji
ty-seventh Congress.
The next question to be settled is
that of route. The choice lies
among the Panama, the Nicaragua
and the Tehauntepec routes. The
merits and dement's of the first two
are we'll known, while of the last but
little is known. It is not thought
commission will recommend any
specific route, but that it will content
itself with a comprehensive dis
cussion of the advantages and dis
advantages of all three. The Panama
route would avoid the dangerous
shoals and the high winds of
Lake Nicaragua and might prove
the best from purely com
mercial standpoint, but it is under
stood that the Nicaraguan route is re-
garded as the best from a military
standpoint and that is the considera-
ton most likely to weigh with Con-
gress. Senator Morgan believes the
Nicaraguan route will be adopted.
The only cause of anxiety that re
mains to worry the friends of the
canal is the French Panama canal
company, whose President, M. Maur
ice Huuin, is now IN Washington and
10 daily conference with Admiral
Walker. While acceptance of the
Panama company's proposition is
not regarded as matter requiring
serious consideration, it is feared that
the enemies of any canal may use it
as a subterfuge and eventually block
all canal legislation.
The great gains in our trade with
the Philippines are source of much
qualification. The returns show that
for the nine months ending with
March, 1901, our exports to the Phil
ippines have increased fifty one per
cent. over the same period ending
with March, 1900. During the same
period, American enterprise was
making itself felt in the islands to an
extent that increased the total ex-
ports by thirty four per cent. The
value of goods sold to the islands by
this country for the nine months
above stated was $2,000,000, while
for the entire year of 1896, our
total trade amounted to only $125,-
900. Moreover, the figures show that
as the army has been decreased in the
island, the trade has increased, show
ing that the relations are being built
on a solid and substantial basis. All
this is very gratifying in view of
some of the predictions that we're
made when we first acquired posses
ion of the Philippine islands.
Mr.. Roosevelt is giving the ship
subsidy bill the most careful consid-
Grafton. Representative Minor, of
Wisconsin, has been in Washington
and has discussed the details of
the bill with the president. While
in favor of the bill, Mr.. Minor desires
to see such changes made in it's pro-
visions as will result in a wider dis
tribution of the subsidies and smaller
premiums for speed.
There are still some rumors of
cabinet changes and it is alleged that
Secretaries Hay and Gage will soon
resign, and that Senator Lodge is
certain successor to Mr.. Hay. Mr..
Frank W. Hackett, Assistant Secre
tary of the Navy, will be succeeded
by Judge Charles III. Darling of Ben
nington, VT.
The President recently invited |
Booker T. Washington to dine with
him AFT the White House and the oc-