New-York tribune., 1902-01-04
FRENCH BROUGHT TO TERMS.
-9OwERFUL INFLUENCES IN WASHING
TON FAVORABLE TO PANAMA CANAL.
TBT TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBusE.l

TON FAVORABLE TO PANAMA CANAL.
[BT TELEGRAPH TO TIE TEIBUSE.l
Washington. Jan. 3.-It was broadly intimated
to-day by leading Republican Senator that the
present status Of the canal question plainly re-
veals for the first time what the real policy OF
this government has been in dealing with the
matter. According TO this authority, the 18TH
rnian Canal Commission has been fully i'm
pressed with the superior advantages of the
Panama route ever since its sphere OF action was
enlarged so as TO include the French scheme in
its surveys. Neither the members Of the COM
mission nor any other persons in authority have
given expression to this preference for the best
OF business reasons which was the desire to
bring the Frenchmen to terms This having
been virtually attained by the offer Of the new
management of the French company to sell out
to the United States for S400O000O, there is no
longer any reason why the purpose or wish of
the United States to utilize the Panama route
and the French experience should be concealed.
In view Of the rapid change in the situation, it
is therefore probable that the most powerful
men il the Senate will boldly espouse the Pana-
route when canal legislation reaches the
upper chamber Of Congress.
With the return of Senat tors of both parties
lief grows stronger that. as stated in The Trib-
une's Washington correspondence a few days
ago. the offer OF the French shareholders TO sell
the Panama Canal TO the United States for $40
0G0Ga0 viii have TO be carefully and seriously
considered before the Senate takes further def
inite action on the canal subject at this session.
In fact, it is known that powerful group of
Senators has already assured the president and
members Of the Isthmian Canal Commission
that the French proposition is being closely in
vestigated by them with the view of substitut-
ing the Panama for the Nicaragua route in any
bill that may reach the Senate tbs session.
AS the Hepburn bill is almost certain TO pass
the House within a month, since II is on the
calendar by unanimous consent as the special
order for next Tuesday. it is obvious that this
measure will be held UP IN the Senate many
weeks, and possibly months. before final action
is taken upon IL Its author. Mr.. Hepburn, of
Iowa, is still averse TO calm and deliberate con-
sderation of the French proposition. continuing
70 insist every time It is mentioned to him that
the Panama scheme is being vitalized at this
time for no other reason than to serve the
veiled purposes Of the enemies Of all canal legis-
istion. 1t is pertinent 10 call attention TO the
fact that MI Hepburn has consulted very little
AZ any time with engineers or other members or
the Isthnian Canal Commission, who. repeatedly
routes and who are intimately acquainted with
the merits Of each Nor has Senator Morgan
recently made any efforts to inform himself as
to the latest views and opinions of the experts
sent by Congress to survey both routes and re-
port on them to Congress. Like Mr.. Hepburn,
Senator Morgan's mind is so set on the Nicar-
aqua route that he is quite as intolerant as the
Iowa man on the subject of delaying definite
ton by Congress until thoroughly complete
investigation OF the whole matter can be made
in the new and favorable light thrown upon 1T
by the first definite offer the French people have
made TO transfer their Panama interests TO this
country for stated price in cash. Senator
Morgan's old contention that the purchase Of
the Panama Canal would put the French nation
into sort OF partnership IN the enterprise with
the United States is fatty refuted by the facts
in the case, the most salient Of which is that
the French offer row being prepared is for the
sale outright of all the interests Of the French
men in the Panama Canal, which reduces it to
a business proposition pure and simple and puts
the transaction upon the same scale as If any
other number OF French people would sell to
tas country any other property.
No TROUBLE WITH COLOMBIA FEARED.
Admiral Walker and other members Of the
Canal Commission fout the claim Of the blind
advocates OF the Nicaragua route that the
United States cannot obtain from the Colombian
Government as favorable or better terms for the
Panama Canal than those given to France when
that enterprise was first organized. On this
point there is no doubt at all in the minds of
Secretary Hay and other Cabinet officers who
have given the subject attention. and assurances
have already been vouchsafed by responsible
representatives of the Colombian Government
that trouble will be encountered by the
United States at Bogota whenever the necessary
diplomatic negotiations instituted. Under
tne treaty with New-Granada (now Colombia)
the United States is the sole guarantor of the
neutrality of the Panama Canal, that when
the work Of securing the requisite franchises is
begun the two countries would have this old
convention as favorable starting point. The
remainder Of the task would be easy OF accom-
pnshment-
VIEWS OF ADMIRAL WALKER
Admiral John G. Walker. president Of the
Atnmian Canal Commission. said to-day that
Nhle he had no official or private information
VA tne subject, ne believed the French share
|paefs were formulating in good faith a propo-
.sioh 10 sell out their interest in the Panama
IIsasl for 100000. He intimated that had
,s ~ -aaSrice Hutin, until recently president and
fsN manager OF the French Panama Canal |
h. nanker In dealing with the question when |
as last In Washington, agreement for |
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