New-York tribune., 1902-01-21
NEXT STEPS TO BE TAKEN
THE SENATE TO MAKE A CAREFUL IN
COLOMBIA TO BE OPENED.
IBv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE J

TBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington. Jan. 2O.-Now that the Presi-
dent has officially informed both houses of Con-
g-ess that the IsthuliaR Canal Commission has
strongly recommended the purchase Of the
Panama Canal Company. the transisthmian
waterway dispute may be expected soon TO take
on a new and lively interest In fact, it may
be said that the canal question is just beginning
10 assume a shape that will soon warrant
nosttive prediction as 10 the outcome of legisla-
ton on that subject II Is not expected, Of course
bv well informed people in and out Of Con-
gress that definite action viii be taken at an
early date AS has been frequently said in The
Tribune n the last month, there is little ground
10 hope for even partial settlement OF the
canal question at this session Of Congress. The
House having passed the Hepburn Nicaragua
bill without careful consideration Of the condi-
ions as affected by the offer Of the French COM
ranv 10 sell its property TO the United States at
-bA Drice fixed By the Walker Commission, the
whole burden Of responsibility for the selection
OF the route IS now placed on the Senate With
its characteristic caution and delberation, the
Senate can be depended on to delve deep into
the question and arrive at decision only after
every phase Of il has been measured and
weighed with regard for the highest interests
Of the country. The Senate now Will begin its
own investigation By calling before the Com
the Walker Commission. together with the repre-
ser-arizes Of the Panama Canal Company. and
every available engineer Of distinction who has
s-uSie5 The various routes across the isthmus
which have been suggested as feasible 1t is
thought that this investigation viii consume the
greater part of this session Of Congress, and
after that phase Of the matter has been dis
posed Of the Senate then will direct its atten-
lion TO the important subject Of the ability Of
The French company 10 make a clear and in
oisputable title 10 the property.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH COLOMBIA.
N the mean time the State Department. at
the direction Of President Roosevelt, will in
stitute with the Government of Colombia the
negotiations necessary TO secure the required
rights and franchises for the construction, con-
trol and maintenance Of the canal by the United
States No doubt exists OF the ability of Sec
retary Hay 10 make as favorable terms with
Colombia as he has made with Nicaragua and
Costa Rica for q canal across their territory
As he has secured from these governments only
promises Of permanent treaties, in the form OF
protocols. he viii deal in a similar way Win
Colombia In point Of fact IL is not thought
M. Hay VIII encounter as much difficulty in
dealing with Colombia as he encountered with
Nicaragua and Costa Rica, because for nearly a
year Senior Silva, the Minister resident or CO.
lOEhla n washington. naQ DseI Qu4NLAS dAAA--5
the French in their negotiations to dispose Of
the Panama Canal 10 the United States Sehor
Silva IS also Secretary Of Foreign Affairs for
Colombia, ard turned this influential post over
TO friendly hands when he came 10 Washington
as minister with the understanding that he Is
70 resume Il soon as he returns to Bogota.
NICARAGUA ADVOCATES TO FIGHT.
L IS not expected that the supporters Of the
Nicaragua route viii surrender without the best
fight they are capable Of making. Senator Nor
gan who by courtesy Of Republican Senate
Is chairman Of the important Committee on In
teroceanic Canals. announced to-day, soon after
the commissions supplementary report was sent
10 Congress that his committee would make
favorable report on the Hepburn bill without
amendment at the earliest possible practicable
date. Il is asserted by Senators better Informed
as TO the situation in the Senate than Mr. Nor
gan appears 10 be that the Interoceanic Canal
Committee eventually viii report in favor Of the
Panama proposition, though there is no nkeli-
hood that this will be done until the whole
canal subject has been most exhaustively IN
vestigated in the manner indicated. SElator (
Morgan stoutIy maintains that he viii yet con-
vince the Senate and the country Of the wisdom
OF his course in contendtng so vigorously ahG
1ncompromisingIy for the Nicaragua route, and
asserts that in its supplementary report the
Walker commission has sQuarely reversed II /
self from the first report submitted 10 the Pres
ident The chief objections Senator Morgan +
urges against the adoption Of the Panama route
are:
Ffrst-That Il Panama furnishes the most
feasible ard practicable route" this fact long
ago would have been recognized by French en-
gneers and the French Government would
have come TO the relief OF the Panama Canal
Company. and thus made the construction of the 4
canal q certainty
second-That there are now outstanding in
the hands OF about five hundred thousand citi- f
zsns Of France bonds and stock of the Panama
canal Company to the amount OF SZJo,vooco
ssery cent OF which viii have 10 pc oe paiG oy the /
United States. minus the S4o.0OOO0O paid for the /
ancOnpleted canal, II we purchase the property. /
Third-That. for the sake OF argument grant {
lat the Panama route is feasible and pracu- /
able still the legal obstacles in the way are /
saough 70 prevent our acceptance Of the French 1
Proposition.
SENATE NOT TO BE STAMPEDED-
None OF these points made by Senator Morgan I
have any weight with the administration or the /
eaders of the Senate They do not say that |
ne Alabama Senator's conclusion is wrong. but
1ey insist that there shall be most careful .
seunous and searching investigation of his
premises before they indOrse or repudiate them
A other words, Senate and administration lead
- =. now are, for the most part. openminded on
~ ne Whole canal question, and intend TO see 10
r IAat no further hasty action Is taken The
-Iefaocfatic leaders, on the contrary, seem
oerohgiy inclined 10 flock blindIy and impetu-
r-s'y To the support Of the Nicaragua route, in
- - nope OF making some political capital out or
. issue for next years campaign. But even
s-sy should do this, the Republicans in the
Hae viii not be stamDeded. as were Repub-
- .l,s and Democrats alike in the House when
hepburn bin was brought forward.
o-spresentatiye Hepburn says the report Of the
ssof of'oslsslon in favor Of the Panama route does
bi, ss..sslee the legislative status Of the canal
dfvts Shdoubtedly the report viii influence in
no, Ia Ia opinion" said Dir. Hepburn, but il will
hal, &C 70 any abandonment Of efforts in be- |
l measure"