Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-29
AN ISSUE AGAIN.

1t Is beginning to appear possible that
the never.say-dle attitude Of the New
York Herald in respect Of the 'isthmian
canal enterprise is not SO much IN the
nature Of leading forlorn hope after
ALL 1t will be remembered that the adj
vocates of the Panama route and OF
taking over by purcha sc the wreckage OF
the French company. pretty Thoroughly
whipped out in Congress the champions
of the Nicaragua scheme. with the result
that the President under the powers
granted him by the canal act TOOK
through the proper representatives OF the
government the preliminary steps to-
wards making the purchase and other
wise clearing the way for completing the
Panama undertaking. In consequence it
came to be very generally accepted that
the Nicaraguan plan was practically
eliminated from the question. although
the President was authorized by: the
canal legislation TO reject the Panama
for the Nicaragua route if for any reason
the former should prove unacceptable.
The removal Of the incubus of the
-
years had prevented us from realizing
our dream of connecting the oceans
by great water way, which should
be under American control and auspices,
left us as free to construct the improve
ment via the Isthmus of Panama as VIA
Lake Nicaragua Colombia seemed eager
to accent any reasonable offer we might
cement to
go ahead with the preliminaries OF ac-
curing title to the French franchises
and all seemed plain sailing for the Pana-
ma 'boomcrs." But presto, change! NO
sooner did it seem virtually settled that
the Panama route would be selected than
Colombia began to play the obstructionist
and "hold-up' role. First by resortins to
the subterfuge of an untenable lnterpre-
tation of her own Constitution she INSIST
ed on terms from US which 1t was lmpos-
sible to accept under the canal act, ana
which would have defeated one of the
main objects we had in view in seeking
the abrogation Of the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty. Next she pretended to be pared
from granting the concessions we deslreu
by her treaty relations with other powers.
Now she is talking of keeping all nesotia-
tons in allegiance until 1904 in order that
She NAV have time to consider the ad-
visibility of either building the canal her
self and selling it to the highest bloder'
or selling the right of construction and
control to the highest bidder. 1t is very
clear. however. that her whole policy is
directed towards squeezing us.
Meantime the Nicaragua folks had ac-
cepted their defeat gracefully, and with
the exception of the New York Herald,
nearly every journal of prominence either
acuuiesced in the proposition to build by
the Panama route or ceased to combat L.
The Herald however. continued to ham
mer away in advocacy of the Nicaragua
scheme and although it gave numerous
cogent reasons in support OF It's conten-
ton that this route was the better one
its hammering was regarded as so much
out of season that it evoked not a little
amusement. 1t was frequently the butt
of the photographers of the Panama route
papers and we confess to having poked a
little luH dl Ills pClSiStVh>S oNA 49, ~
Notwithstanding we were in sympathy
with its position But the fnality may
prove another illustration of the truth
that who laughs last laughs best Inc
Herald is having its inning and getting
a serious and respectful hearing. IRE
spective of which route they originally
favored many leading papers are exhibit
ing disgust and impatience with Colom-
bias behavior. The question of route is
again becoming an issue and the discus
sion thereof is developing most pro-
nounced sentiment against any further hig-
Cling with her over the matter. The in
ducements and the advantages claimed
for the Nicaragua scheme are again being
carefully weighed, and there are signs
Of the crystalizing of a demand that
unless Colombia accedes speedily to our
proposition, all negotiations with her re-
specting the enterprise be broken off,
and the alternative scheme be adopted and
pushed.
So it may eventuate that Colombia Will
kill the goose that promised to lay for
her the golden egg. And we shall not De
greatly distressed if she does. For we
have never seen anything to change our
conviction that as between the two routes
the Nicaragua would be the infinitely pre-
ferable and advantageous ne-from every
viewpoint-commercial political. climatic
financial, as that involves cost of con-
struction and maintenance, and what not
==--------
The award of King Edward. as arbitra-
tor in the matter of the disputed terri
tory on the boundary between Argentina
and Chile, settles a quarrel of more than
fifty years standing. and which more than
once has led the parties to the brink of
war Approximately the territory Is
equally divided by the award. Chile get
ting 10000 and Argentina $1,000 square