Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-16
THE ISTHMIAN CANAL
AS TO MR.. KNOBS
QUICK RETURN.
Two Theories Advanced in Regard to
the Status Of the Panama
| Company.

The return from Paris the last of this
week. after being in France only ten or
twelve days, Of Attorney General Knox
leads to great deal of speculation as to
the success or failure of the head of the
Department Of Justice in coming back
with complete report Of the legal status
OF the Panama company. Mr.. Knox did
not have more than ten working days in
France, and when he went away he did
not expect that he. would be able to get
back to this country until about October 1.
He will return ten days earlier than that
At the Department of Justice the promi-
rent officials do not venture an opinion as
to the meaning of the quick return of Mr..
Knox The fact that Mr.. Knox was repre-
sented in Paris for several weeks prior to
going there by Charles w. Russell a special
assistant attorney of the department. and
the further fact that Mr.. Russell is an able
M"yef with special knowledge of French
Jurisprudence. leads some of the officials to
rather come to the conclusion that Mr. Rus
sell had the case in good shape for the At
tcrney General when he arrived and that
II was unnecessary for a longer stay. the
legal status of the company being so in
Glsputable as to present no obstacle to a
Gear title.
Possible Legal Obstacles.
Against this suggestion, however, is the
methods in disposing of big question like
this. 1t is considered hardly likely that
Mr. knox was able to reach a conclusion
in so short a time, even with the valuable
aid of Mr.. Russell, and therefore the pros
pect from that point of view is that Mr..
Knox encountered obstacles that will delay
the closing up of the case for considerable
time. A dozen different legal obstacles
might have been discovered by Mr. Knox
tnat would for the present prevent his MAX
ing favorable report as to the legal stand
ing OF thepanama company so as to furnish a
Clear tie to the United States. Continuing
this argument, it is pointed out that as Mr..
Knox proceeds with great caution in all
important matters the probability is great
that II he had encountered no apparent OBJ
Stacle he would have remained in France long
enough to run down everything that prom
lsed dispute as to the title To do this
Woulo nave required more time than has
been given. 1t is argued. Therefore, Mr.
Russell is to be left behind to p1rsua the
various points that need full elaboration.
and the French company may be informed
as to just what may be done. Should any
Phase OF the question be pending in the
French courts that promised the least cloud
on the title to the canal it is certain that
Mr.. Knox would not attempt to complete
his investigation until the courts up to the
highest one, had rendered a decision.
Will Report to President.
Attorney General Knox will make a re-
port to the President Immediately upon his
return. Should it show that there is no OBJ
stacle to clear title the expectation is
that the President would act reasonably
soon In deciding upon that route and in be-
ginning the closing up Of the purchase of
the canal at the price fixed by Congress-
$4o,O00,GOo Mr.. Knox will get back about
the time the President leaves on his long
tour of the northwest. He will briefly in
form the President of the result of his trip
report the ownership of the Panama
canal. He could have the report ready for
the President by the early part of October
SO that the chief executive could consider
the matter fully after his return from the
northwest and before he begins work on
his annual meSSage to Cnugress