Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-04-18
Us FORMER IS BEST IN EVERY RESPECT
Asserts Difference of Five Millions in First
Cost Should Not Interfere,
ULTIMATE RESULT THE THING DESIRED
No Question, He Says, of the Superiority
of the Nicaragua Way.
DENIES FRENCH coMPANrs RIGHT TO SELL
Alabama senator Says Liability of
Bohio Dam. washing Out, EntaiI-
Ina IncnIcuIRbIe Loss, should
Deter PRnsma's Acceptance.

Deter PRnsma's Acceptance.
WASHINGTON. April i7.-For more than
four hours today MIR. Morgan of Alabama
chairman Of the isthmian canal committee
addressed the senate on the subject OF the
Nicaraguan canal. He devoted the greater
part OF his speech to n consideration of the
desrability and practicability OF the two
principal routes Nscaraguan and Panama
He strenuously favored the former. main
tanning that in every possible respect It
lad many advantages over the Panama
route.
a parliamentary change in the situation
Of Chinese exclusion bill was made lust
before adjournment, the measure passed
by the senate yesterday being substituted
for the house bill. This was done to ex-
pedite the bill in the house.
The resolutions offered by Mr.. Culberson
OF Texas directing the secretary OF war to
send to the senate a statement of money
paid by the United States on account OF the
Philippine commission and a statement OF
the amount Of money expended for sending
troops to the Philippines and for their
maintenance were agreed to.
Morgan Begins His speech.
Mr. Morgan then began his remarks
on the isthmian canal question He
assumed. in beginning, that the sea-
ate was convinced OF the indispensable
character Of a canal-that It was a national
necesslty-and that it was only choice of
methods and a comparison of national ad-
vantages which was left to decide, "alI
questions of financial ability, OF private
interests, of political bias, having been
relegated to the rear by command OF a
free, honest and powerful principle. II is
to reach the logical results that should
follow the actual merits Of the claim OF
either canal route in deciding the prefer
ence, that l will try to present an outline
Of the questions that now require discus
sion."
THE subject presents itself TO my mine
said Mr.. Morgan, with conclusive force
the form stated in the six propositions
will now state:
/. We have reached the poInt whore I'm.
vestigation is complete by observation, ex.
pertence, scientific Research and foreca 81.
ana i,cl,t! these means Of knowledge are as con.
make them In another half-century OF
2, The question now to be decided ia the
choice of either of two routes for a canal
whether whether Il shall be located at Panama or
In Nicaragua and Costa Rica
Controlling Factor in Choice.
selection is the assurance of success n
constructing a canal that will be per-
manentiy useful for commerce and for the
needs of the government and its policies
and for the benefit OF the people of the
Unit ID States.
A sum OF money necessary for expendi-
ture In the work of constructing such a
canal to accomplish such ends cannot be
aent M of, Of the United States and the choice
sincere regard to Its permanent Usefulness
and advantage should not be controlled or
affected by difference in the present cost
OF struction, / will say, within a limit
8 The assured certainty of SUCCESS in the
necessity, the basic or foundation fact
lection of the canal route. Considered as a
nmIle proposition OF civil engineering
dnnS thers Is no % doHSt1not mot even shadow Of
tict biltty of a Ship canal from Greytown Gre
to Rrito, in and along the river and across
reasonable doubt that Its cost is as nearlS
within the limits OF exa,.t estimates AS any
taken II is upon this ascertained and set
tied tasis Of certainty that rest my judg-
Liabilities of Panama Route.
6 II the dam at Bohio, on the Panama
route, should fall for any cause. the only
perish never to be restored. All % enginesrs Tssrs
! CCnchud1 or Boca San Carlos. or at Ochoi'
| or - Tamborgrunde or at any other site
on the San Juan river would only mean the
| Joss OF hat structure. TO be replaced on n
| better location OF a lake level. These
chances are at least ten to one, and II the
| r'3k IL estimated at only tenfold the cost
or the dam at Bohio, II would deter the
p9efsi 5ltIS SIMPLER dH In futures from Tiskipg the
feed 100000. But the loss. OF a dam dan "a al
clear less to the United States IN cash 10
| say nothing of the lives wasted IN the
nerve end the nationai sYame and des1sir
! that cur people would suffer
Discussing the proposed routes Of the ca
nal and the decision OF the Walker com
mission, Mr.. Morgan said;
No Doubt ON NIcaraEuan.
mo member of either OF the three com
missions expressed a doubt or apprehen-
sion as to the certainty Of the successful
| completion OF a canal on the NicaraRuan
route on either OF FIVE plans that have
been adopted. surveyed and located by the
greatest engineers in America.
The feasibility. practicability, useful
ness. permAnence and commercial value OF
the Panama canal to the United States are
all elouded with many doubts.
"One duty that the government owes 10
humanity, which rises above all other per-
sonsl consideration In the choice Of these
routes. Is the care OF the health and lives
Of men whose labor Is the real power that
must open this great waterway.
1T is a political situation OF great mo-
ment and It is a cause Of sincere gratlnea-
tion TO the three republics concerned IN
this canal that the interests are unined
and not diseordSnt. as the interests OF the
state Of Panama are toward those OF Co
lor.bia"
Referring TO the position taken by the
advocates Of the Panama route. Mr.. Morgan
said:
CFitieIseE Panama Advocates.
mo more reckless an attitude was ever
taken with reference to an economic ques-
tion or with less benevolence, reason or
justice to support it,"
Mr.. Morgan maintained that the 18th
mian Canal commission had no authority
10 accept an offer Of the Panama Canal
company and that the sole duty OF the
president was to determine the route he
I EHnatid n