The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-03

reports that we can undoubtedly acquire
good title from the French Panama Canal
Company. Negotiations are now pending
with Colombo TO secure her assent TO our
building the canal This canal will be one
of the greatest engineering feats OF the
twentieth century; a greater engineering
feat than has yet been accomplished dur
ing the history OF mankind The work
should be carried out as a continuing poll
icy without regard TO change OF adminiStra-
ton: and IL should be begun under cir
cumstances which will make IL a matter or
pride for all administrations 10 continue
the policy,
america and of Importance tofall the world
IL VIII De or advantage 10 us industrially
ana also as improving our military POSI-
ton. 1t will be of Advantage TO the coun-
rles OF tropical America. IL Is earnestly
10 be hoped that all OF these countries VIII
90 as some OF them have already done with
signal success, and will invite TO their
snores and improve their mater
ial conditions by recognizing that stability
and order are the prerequisites of success
tuI development; No independent nation IN
america need have the slightest fear OF
aggression from the United States. 1t be-
hooves each one 10 maintain order within
It's W borders and 10 discharge its just
obligations to foreigners. When this is
done they can rest assured that. be they
strong or weak, they have nothing to dread
from outside interference. More and more
the increasing interdependence and COM
plexity Of international political and eco
nomic relations render IL mi On all
civilized and orderly powers to insist on
the proper policing OF the world.
PACIFIC CABLE CONDITIONS.
During the fall of 1901 a communication
was addressed to the secretary OF state,
asking whether permission would be
granted by the President to a corporation
to lay a cable from a point on the Califor-
MIA coast to the Philippine islands by way
OF Hawaii. A statement OF conditions or
fa-,,. .,11n vvHfoh C,.oA .-1.rl
undertake TO lay and operate a cable was
volunteered.
Inasmuch as the Congress was shortly to
convene, and Pacihc-cable legislation had
Congress for several years. 1t seemed to
me wise to defer action upon the applica-
ton until the Congress had first an oppor-
tunity to act. The Congress adjourned
without taking any action, leaving the mat
ter in exactly the same condition In which
1t stood when the Congress convened
Meanwhile IL appears that the CONNER
cial Pacific Gable Company had promptly
proceeded with preparations for laying its
cable. 1t also made application to the
President for access to and use of sound
ings taken by the United States steamship
Nero, for the purpose OF discovering a
practicable route for a t~ranspaclhc cable,
the company urging that, with access to
these soundings, it could complete its cable
much sooner than If IL were required to
take soundings upon its own account.
Pending consideration of this subject, il
appeared important and desirable TO at
tach certain conditions to the permission
TO examine and use the soundings, II IL
should be granted.
In consequence of this solicitation of the
cable company, certain conditions were
formulated, upon which the President was
willing to allow access to these soundings
and to consent TO the landing and laying OF
the cable, subject TO any alterations or addi-
lions thereto imposed by the Congress.
rms was deemed proper. especially as it
was clear that a cable connection OF some
KIND with China, a foreign country, was a
part of the company's plan. This course
was, moreover, in accordance with a line OF
presidents, including President Grants ac-
ton in the case OF the first French cable.
explained to the Congress in his annual
message of December, 1875, and the in
stance occurring in 1879 Of the second
French cable from Brest to st. Pierre,
with a branch 10 Cape Cod.
These conditions prescribed, among other
things, a maximum rate for commercial
messages, and that the company should
construct a line from the Philippine islands
to China, there being at present. as is well
known, a British line from Manila to Hong
Kong.
The representatives of the cable company
kept these conditions long under consider
alton, continuing, in the meantime, 10 pre-
ever, at length acceded to them. and an
all-American line between our Pacific coast
and the Chinese Empire, by way OF Homo
lulu and the Philippine islands, is thus pro-
vided for, and is expected within a few
months to be ready for business.
Among the conditions is one reserving the
power OF the Congress to modify or repeal
any or all of them. A copy of the condi-
tions is herewith transmitted.