New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-06-06
Mr.. HANNA FOR PANAMA.
HE REPLIES TO THE SPEECH OF SEN
ArOR MORGAN.
PASSAGE OF THE sPooNER RESOLUTION
URGED-SENATOR MITCHELL FAVoRS
THE NICARAGUA PLAN.
IRY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.I

URGED-SENATOR MITCHELL FAVORS
THE NICARAGUA PLAN.
IBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON June 5-Senator Hanna made an
elaborate argument to-day in support of the
Panama route for interoceanic waterway
As the most conspicuous champion of that route.
Mr. Hannas speach attracted general atten-
ton. and his argument, although covering in
the main familiar ground, contained enough Of
novelty to attract and interest large proper
ton of the Senate's membership Mr.. Hanna
spoke with drectness and vigor, and illustrated
his theories by frequent references to a series
of maps which lined rhe wall OF the Senate
chamber. He spoke in favor of the Spooner
amendment. comforting the President au-
thority TO purchase the rights of the Panama
Canal Company If valid title can be obtained,
otherwise he is to select the Nicaragua route.
Senator Mitchell, of Oregon, supported the Hep
burn bill. for the construction of the canal by
the Nicaragua route.
Mr.. Hanna said that the American people.
having become accustomed to the rapid transit
Of the railroads. now dema nded quicker trans
portation on the seas The experimental stage
hal been passed. and the question now pre-
scented was that of the best route by which the
canal was 70 be constructed Mr.. Hanna said
he had shared at first in the common belief
that the Nicaragu route was the only one to be
considered. The United States had been de-
TERED from embarking that project, and in
the light of events the fates seemed to him
to have interfered to prevent us from making
a mistake. The Panama route was only forty
nine miles long, while that Of Nicaragua was
1S3 miles in length
You build YOUR canal" said he ito provide
for the passage of ships from ocean to ocean
in the least possible time and at the least ex-
a ed on
insisted meant success. He said he was look
ing at the proposition for its commercial ad-
vantages as well its advantages as means
of defence We are to build this canal for
the world" said he. I'VE are to build a canal
for the commerce of the world. and we must
take into account the business attracted to 1t
from the world By stubborn facts and by the
findings of the best engineers in the country
he had been compelled to change his views
which originally had been in favor Of the
Nicaragua route.
DANGER FROM VOLCANOES.
Mr. Hanna referred to the seismic disturb
ances in the canal region, and suggested that
those disturbances ought to cause the American
Congress to pause and consider the suggested
dangers seriously. He referred to the maps on
the walls of the chamber, showing the number
of active and inactive volcanoes in the canal re-
gion. demonstrating that there were more vol
canoes in the neighborhood of the Nicaragua
route than in that of the Panama route. He
maintained that the cost of the Nicaragua Canal
would be immensely greater in point Of con-
struction and operation than the Panama Canal,
and said he was prepared to demonstrate that
the Nicaragua Canal could not be operated at
night In many respects the conditions
applied to both the Nicaragua and Panama
canals.
he amendment,
MED ernpha tically that it subterfuge in
tended to delay and procrastinate. He explained
that if the President were not satisfied with the
Panama Canal Company's title he could proceed
to build canal by the Nicaragua route. pro-
vided that all conditions and concessions We're
the United States did not propose TO go ahead
with the canal project except with a clean sheet.
BY either route, he believed the canal would be
a power for the peace of the world, and he mad
no fear of any interference with the United
States or any of its citizens engaged In canal
construction by any foreign power
Mr.. Hanna, after speaking an hour ana
quarter, pleaded fatigue, and, saying he would
continue tomorrow, yielded the floor to Mr.
Mitchell, another member OF the lnteroceanlc
Canals Committee.
Mr.. MITCHELL FOR NICARAGUA.
The Oregon Senator declared that the
struction of the canal was demanded by the
American people in tone that could not be
misunderstood. He asserted that unless the
Hepburn bill were accepted it would mean the
indefinite postponement Of any canal legislation
and the possible defeat Of the canal project. He
maintained that the Nicaragua route was abso-
lutely feasible and practicable.
Mr. Mitchell said that If shippers could send
their products from the Pacific Coast to Europe
by way of an isthman canal sailing vessels
would be employed where now only steamers
were used, thus enormously reducing the freight
rates paid by the Pacific Coast people He
maintained that sailing vessels could not go
through he Panama Canal without
sistance of steam electricity, on account Of
the Gains.
Mr.. Mitchell said authorities indicated that
the danger from earthquakes 100 per cent
great in the region of the Panama route than
in that of the Nicaragua route In neither case.
however the danger sufficient to render
the construction of the canal hazardous.
A bill appropriating 100000 for the completion
of a lighthouse and fog signal station in the
Patapsco River, Maryland. was passed.
GIN 4 I,OD IN CON IBID LNCGL,