New-York tribune., 1902-01-23
THE CANAL SITUATION.
A PULLING CALM FOLLOWS EXCITE
MENT IN CONGRESS.
RENEWAL OF NICARAGUA AGITATION Ex-
PECTED- NEGOTIATIONS WITH
COLOMBIA BEGUN
COLOMBIA BEGUN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. !

washington, Jan. ZZ.-Atter the storm of
citement in Congress last week that followed
the discovery that the Walker Commission
would make a supplementary report to the
President recommending the purchase of the
uncompleted Panama Canal the calm that now
prevails in both houses is puzZling alike to
legislator and layman. Absolutely nothing has
been done on the canal question this week. aside
from the reception by Congress, without COM
ment demonstration of the Presidents mes
sage transmitting the report of the Isthman
Canal Commission. For some reason wholly un-
explained, Senator Morgan, Chairman of the
Interoceanic Canal Committee, and the uncom-
promising champion of the Nicaragua route
has temporarily suspended the investiga tion of
the Panama proposition which he instituted
with so much vigor last week, and no announce
ment has come from him TO when he will
resume these hearings. 1t is evident that Sen
ator Morgan and other avowed supporters of
the Nicaragua scheme are preparing quietly TO
start the agitation of the canal question with
renewed energy and persistency as soon as the
opportunity do is proptious. They seem
impressed with the belief that the country's
judgment in regard 10 routes has been ma
terially affected by the strong report in favor
of the Panama proposition made by the COM
mission, and while ii is curious and probably
significant fact that this report apparently has
had no effect the mind of any member of
either house of Congress- the national legis-
lators appear to think it better TO let the whole
question remain quiescent for time. until they
are well prepared TO throw flood of new light
on il for the enghtment of their constituents.
DEMOCRATS SEEK POLITICAL CAPITAL.
II seems to be, pretty well settled. however.
that the Senate Democrats, with their usual
fatutty are anxious TO make a political issue out
of the dispute as TO the merits of the routes.
Their leaders are reciting the fact that the last
national platform of their party declared out
right for the Nicaragua route and this probably
will be enough to hold every Democrat in line
for that route irrespective of the opinion of en-
tnent engineers and the recommendations Of the
Isthmian Canal Commission. Thus far only one
Democrat in the Senate has expressed any oppo-
sition to the Nicaragua scheme, and although
he was one of the trainers of the Kansas City
rlatforrn he frankly admits that he is opposed
outright TO this government constructing canal
along any route on the isthmus. 1t is interesting
10 observe that he is the only member OF either
branch of Congress who openly proclaims him
self hostile to the canal enterprise. and although
he is not yet ready to be quoted, he promises to
take this radical ground when the question
comes ND for debate. In the matter Of platform
declarations the Republicans, as usual, have
decided advantage over the Democrats IN thlS
question in that the Philadelphia platform
merely pledged the party to the construction,
ownership and management by the government
q an
route IN he selected finally. Thus, II the Demo-
Gratis should attempt to make political issue
out OF the present uncertainty In the Senate on
The canal question II is not easy to see how they
could hope to profit by il, since the Repubhcahs
could support the Nicaragua route as well as
anv other whenever the question OIL a route Is
sattled However, in view of the almost certain
fact that no definite conclusion as TO the route
will be reached by Congress at this session IL
cannot be understood at this stage of the pro-
ceedings how the dispute can be made party
matter.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH COLOMBIA.
In order TO be ready to meet any emergency
the State Department is moving energeticaiy
but with proper caution in its negotiations with
the Colombian Government to secure the neces-
sarr rights and franchises for the completion
. nv the United States of the Panama Canal
Secretary Hay has had two or three satisfactory
talks with Senior Silva, the Minister resident
of Colombia since the Walker commission re-
ported in favor of accepting the F,rench oHer
Of sale Sehor Silva has given Mr.. Hay 10 uh-
derstand that the Colombian Government can
make a perpetual lease or the territols
necessary for the canal, but will make the lease
for two hundred years, with pledge OF renewal.
As this proposition is virtually the same as d
perDetual lease IL is believed that Congress
would he entirely satisfied with any arrahSe
ment along this line which might be made by
the State Department. At the same time II IS
realized that the present disturbed condltlons III
Colombia render impracttcable the carry CON
summation OF the negotiations Instituted oy
Secretary HAY so that another ineradlcable rae
tor of delay in the canal matter threatens IN
definite pOStponetnent oil nnal aCllOA W NOii
greSs.
TALK OF DEPOSING SENATOR MORGAN.
Still. 1t cannot be denied that Senator
Morgan's course and attitude toward the ma
jority since the submission of the Walker COM
missions report are causing uneasiness In the
Senate, lest by some means he force preclpi-
tate showing of hands all around. In the ek-
ecutive sessions of the Senate this week MT
Morgan has taken advantage of every oppor-
tunity 10 annoy and irritate the majority. II
he continues this course IL is considered not I'M
probable that he Will precpitate the canal ques-
tion the Senate Unexpectedly in some ne"
way that might lead to such confusion as 10
threaten the whole enterprise with a discourag-
ing setback far this Congress is concerned
at least There is talk, however, of deposing
Senator Morgan from the chairmanshlp OF the
Committee Interoceanic Canals, Whch ne
holds by courtesy Of the Republican majority
should he attempt any unusual proceedings.
LIBERAL SUCCESS WILL AID THE CANAL
General Modesto Garces, second in command of
the Colombian insurgent forces said to-day with
the attitude of his party on the canal
question:
The Liberal party in Colombia is anxious that the