Kootenai County Republican. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1899-1903, 1902-02-14
[Hr The PANAMA ROUTE? OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
nx1RAL WALKER TEsT1F1Es.
= Panama Canal Would Have
sewer Curves-Health Conditions
Could He Improved-Water supply
Aunle-HarbOrs Maintained at .
Seminal COst-As to the Title.

Ample-Harbors Maintained at q
x,..,nal COst-As to the Title.
washington, Feb. 10.-Admiral Wal
~ has concluded his testimony be-
NO the senate committee on inter-
ceanic canals.
The examination was with reference
the reasons why the canal commits
ion changed it's recommendation
rom the Nicaragua to the Panama
mite. The reasons given by the wit
less for his change, summed up. is
hat the Panama route is much shorter
nd has fewer curves, and that those
urves which do exist are not so sharp
! the curves in the Nicaragua route.
he also said he believed that with
{roper quarantine regulations the
lealth condition Of the region along
he Panama route could be much i'm
{royed. He did not consider the pres
mt condition, from a health point Of
keiw, as bad.
The questions bringing out these
koints were asked largely by Senator
hanna, who also made inquiries con-
erning the water supply for the Pan.
lima canal and the difficulties in the
Gay of constructing dam at Bohio.
With reference to the dam Admiral
Walker said he had no doubt that the
|ngineering difficulties could be over.
home and he also expressed the opin-
pn that the water supply would be
ample. He stated, in reply to quest
bns by other senators, that one OF the
urves in the Panama waterway would
5e quite sharp, but he was Of the opin-
bn that steam vessels would be able
round it. He also said that the
|arbor at Panama could be maintained
i nominal cost.
Senator Morgan questioned the wit
Jess at length with reference to the
ommission's investigation of the
ower of the new Panama Canal COM
ANY to transfer the property and give
clear title. In reply to all the Ques-
ions on this line. Admiral Walker
aid he had been satisfied in general
ray that the new Panama Canal COM
any would be capable Of passing the
roperty to the United States with
cceptable title, but that he was not
lawyer and that he felt satisfied, in
ase the recommendation Of the com.
bission to adopt the Panama route
hould be favorably acted upon by con-
ress, the president would be assured
y competent legal advice Of the gen
ineness Of the title before accepting
be transfer. 1--WE only recommended
he Panama route as practicable and
easible," he said, "by which we mean
hat we considered the engineering
opposition as practicable and the dip
bmatic negotiations as feasible"
He said he had no negotiations with
4. Lampre, secretary general of the
Jew Panama company. beyond receiv-
hg the proposition for the sale Of
hat company from him, as had been
published. He had. however, made
hany inquiries of NJ. Lampre concern
hg his company's title and had been
ssuled by that gentleman that it was
|ood.
In reply to question from Senator
Morgan as to whether e>government
4 the United States had instituted
my negotiations with the government
y Columbia relating to the transfer
the property, Admiral Walker said
hat he would have to refer the SEN
tor to the state department.; that II
(e had such information, he would not
|e at liberty to divulge it. He ex.
PRESSED the opinion, however, that the
Columbian government would be
pound by any obligation assumed by
Pc Panama company, because that
government is q stockholder in the
Panama company.
The admiral was questioned con-
(erning the French lottery Of the in
erest Of the Panama canal, but he re-
|lied that he knew nothing about 1t,
Except what he had heard in Paris.
ie had understood that such lottery
ad been authorized but he knew moth
pg OF the limitations placed upon 1t