The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-07
No Political Considerations Involved
i'm the Construction of an 18TH
milan Canal, He Said.
PURELY A BUSINESS MATTER
SHIPMAsTERs AND PILOTS AGAINST
NICARAGUA ROUTE.
Latter VIII Be Endangered by Vol
canoes, and $780, 100000 Is Too
Much Money to Risk.

ing some routine business to-day the Sen
ate resumed consideration of the isthmian
canal Till, Mr.. Hanna, of Ohio, continuing
his argument in support of the Panama
canal. The Ohio senator declared that no
political considerations were involved in the
canal problem. He presented the opinions
of eighty-three shipmasters and pilots in
favor of the Panama route as against the
Nicaragua route for many reasons which
they cited. He urged that the construction
of the Nicaragua canal was beset with un-
known difficulties, while the construction
He laid particular stress on the danger to
the Nicaragua route from volcanoes, and
urged that it was not good business policy
to ignore those dangers in a project in
volving an expenditure of $500, 100000.
In beginning his speech Senator Hanna
referred to, some comments made yesterday
by Mr.. Mitchell, in which the Oregon sena-
tor had spoken of the advantages of the
Nicaragua route while the Hanna COM
mission" had reported in favor of the Mica
ragua route. Mr.. Hanna took exception to
the insinuation that this was "Hanna's
commission" 81 consider that I am here
to do my duty to my country" he said
land when 1 am placed on a commission
which is charged with an important duty [
am determined TO discharge that duty faith
fully and conscientiously." He presented
an earnest and vigorous defense Of the
Isthmian Canal Commission appointed by
President Mckinley. He declared there was
no politics in the problem presented, and
he was certain there were no personalities
seismic disturbances, he thought it was
neering difficulties presented In the con-
struction of the Bohno dam on the Panama
route, maintaining that ii was a feasible
project in the hands OF modern skilled en-
gineers.
MERRY CRITICISED
Mr.. Hanna criticised the testimony Of
Captain Merry. United States minister to
Nicaragua, who supported the Nicaragua
route. He said Captain Merry was a stock
holder in the Maritime Canal Company,
which, of course, wanted the Nicaragua
route adopted. The Ohio senator suggested
that Captain Merry would better attend to
his official duties and not interest himself
in questions of this kind.
Mr.. Hanna insisted that the construction
of the canal by the Nicaragua route in
voIved unknown difficulties; while the Pan
anna route, by reason of the work already
done by engineers, was IAN open book"
AS to the possibilities of danger from
seismic disturbances, he thought it was
practically an even thing between the two
routes There was not enough danger
States from building the canal either in
Nicaragua or Panama. He laid particular
stress upon the danger to the Nicaragua
route from VOLCANOES, and he referred to the
maps arranged on the walls of the cham
Der to show the active and extinct volca-
noes in the regions OF the Nicaragua route
He quoted Professor Heilprin. the volcano
expert, saying that the region of Pana-
ma was not in danger from volcano dis
turbance. 1t was a curious fact that on the
maps Mont Pelee. the awful volcano on the
~f Mo- ffr1frr .orlyrI
extinct.
Mr.. Hanna said that in the construction
of this canal the United States was in
vading the territory of the volcano; that
in Lake Nicaragua itself there were two
volcanoes, one of which has been active re-
Gently. Us it." he inquired. reasonable
or safe to put aside lightly such condi-
tons? We are not going backward in
history TO find illustrations but we are
considering the dangers from volcanoes that
may arise at any time. If there were no
other reason, would not these reasons cause
any party or corporation to hesitate in the
expenditure of $500 900, 000?"
Mr.. Hanna declared that If one of the
volcanoes in Lake Nicaragua should play
the same part" as Mont Pelee had played
enough lava and mud and rock would be
elected to fill Lake Nicaragua.
May / suggest" said Mr. Harris of
Kansas. that the whole island of Martin
ique would not fill one-half of the Lake of
Nicaragua"
PREFERENCES OF SAILORS.
Mr.. Hanna presented a synopsis of the
statement of eighty-three captains of the
ocean-going steamers and other vessels
bearing on the use of an isthmian canal
and said ii seemed to him a sound business
proposition to build the canal along the
route preferred by seafaring men, All of the
masters questioned had had experience in
navigating the Suez Manchester and Kiel
canals. They were Unanimous in favor of
the Panama route for steamers 400 feet
long and 20 draft, provided both canals
were in operation and weather and expense
conditions were equal. From the answers
to the questions propounded he said ii was
evident that the masters questioned much
preferred the Panama route TO the Near
aqua.
In answer to an inquiry by Mr. Mitchell
Mr.. Hanna said the information had come
to him at his own instigation in the course
of his own investigation of the canal ques-
ton. He had obtained the information
from thoroughly accurate business sources
Mr. Mitchell insisted that the interoceanic
canal committee had no knowledge of any
such investigation and he objected TO It,
Mr.. Hanna answered that he assumed full
responsibility and said he had been engaged
nearly all his life in the navigation OF ships
on the great lakes. and he had taken the
opportunity OF his business connections to
obtain information which he thought would
be of value TO the Senate.
Mr.. Hanna declared that If the construc-
ton of an iSthmian canal were not begun
this year IL would not be his fault. He re-
pudiated absolutely any insinua tons
against the motives OF those who favored
the Panama canal. He said the work al
ready done on the Panama canal was along
the lines of the best engineering skill. The
proposition to sell TO this country the Pan
anna Canal Company's rights was made be-
cause IL was known that this country had
determined TO finish this great work the
inspiration of which did not rise from any
selfish motive. He suggested that IL the
a canal along the Nicaraguan route il
would have no assurance that some other
nation would not decide to complete the
Panama canal If such jealousy should
arise as would prompt another nation to
construct the Panama canal the United
States. in his opinion, would be at a serious
disadvantage.
At the opening OF the session to-day Mr.
Morgan. chairman of the committee on in
teroceanic canals, presented a letter from
Secretary of State Hay, inclosing copies of
letters received by the State Department
regarding earthquakes and riots in the
department OF Panama. The letters in
closed newspaper clippings. The secretary
OF state said the report OF the riots would
partment could not furnish ii within a
month. he newspaper clippings which
were read, described in detail the destrlic-
ton done by the earthquakes of 1852. The
documents were referred TO the committee
on interoceanic canals lin order that the
committee may determine" said Mr.. Nor
gan, whether IL is necessary for the secre-
tary OF state TO have the months work
done on the report of riots"
, Bills were passed as follows: To ratify
a supplemental agreement with the Creek
Indians. 10 relieve George T. Winston and