Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-16
Acknowledgement KNOX
TO RETURN THIS WEEK
ment Mean to Status of the
Panama Canal Company:

WASHINGTON, D. c., September IS
Especial 1.-The return from Paris the last
of this week, after being in France only
ten or twelve days, of Acknowledgement
knox, leads to a great deal of specula-
ton as to the success or failure of the
head of the Department of Justice in
coming back with a complete report of
the legal status of the Panama company.
Mr.. Knox did not have more than ten
working days in France, and when he
went away he did not expect that he
would be able to get back to this country
until about October LIST. He will return
ten days earlier than that.
AT the Department of Justice the prom
inent officials do not venture an opinion
as to the meaning of the quick return OF
Mr.. Knox. The fact that Nh Knox was
represented in Paris for several weeks
prior to going there by Charles w. Rus
SELL special assistant attorney of the
department, and the further fact that Mr..
Russell is an able lawyer with a special
knowledge Of French jurisprudence, leads
some of the officials to rather come to the
conclusion that Mr.. Russell had the case
in good shape for the Acknowledgement
when he arrived, and that it was UNI
necessary for longer stay, the legal
status OF the company, being SO indis-
putable as to present no obstacle to q
clear title Against this suggestion, how
ever. is the knowledge of Mr.. Knox S
most careful methods in disposing of a
big question like this It is considered
hardly likely that Mr.. Knox was able to
reach conclusion in so short time,
even with the valuable aid of Mr.. Rus
sell, and therefore the prospect from
that point of view is that Mr.. Knox en-
IL A.,
closing up Of the case for a considerable
time A dozen different legal obstacles
might have been discovered by Mr.. Knox
that would for the present prevent his
making favorable report as to the legal
standing Of the Panama company SO as
to furnish a clear title to the United
States. Continuing this argument it is
pointed out that as Mr.. Knox proceeds
with great caution in all important mat
tiers, the probability is great that If he
had encountered no apparent obstacle
he would have remained in France long
enough to run down everything TIA,
promised dispute as to the title. To do
this would have required more time than
has been given, it is argued. Therefore,
Mr.. Russell is to be left behind to pur-
sue the various points that need full elab-
Grafton, and the French company may be
INFORMED DIS 10 just what may De QOne.
Should any phase of the question be
pending in the French courts that prom
Used the least cloud on the tlLle to the
canal. it is certain that Mr.. Knox would
not attempt to complete his investigation
until the courts. up to the highest one
had rendered decisions.
Attorney General Knox will make a re-
port to the President Immediately upon
his return. Should it show that there Is
no obstacle to a clear title, the expecta-
ton is that the President would act rea-
sonably soon in deciding upon that route,
and in beginning the closing up Of the
purchase of the canal at the price fixed
by Congress. s4o,000,0o0. Mr.. Knox will
get back about the time the President
leaves on his long tour of the Northwest
He will briefly inform the President Of
the result Of his trip, it is thought and
then prepare a detailed report on the
ownership Of the Panama canal. He
could have the report ready for the Presi-
dent by the early part of October. so
that the Chief Executive could consider
the matter fully after his return from the
Northwest, and before he begins work on
his annual message to Congress.