The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-06-10
NICARAGUAN ROUTE
xsAs, ENGINEER = SENATOR
URGES 1T STRONGLY.
PLAN ENTIRELY FEASIBLE.
vIyAMA ROUTE PRESENTS INsU-
PERABLE DIFFICULTIES.

afr TiIIman Is Afraid American
S,eculators Have Bought Up Lands
along Right of Way and VIII
HOLD Up the Government for Mil
lions. but Is Assured That This Is
xot Possible Under the Treaty-Ap-
nropriation of $685., 300 Added to
Naval Bill for Charleston Navy
Yard.
washington. June Am interesting
Contribution was made to the isthmian
canal discussion to-day by Mr.. Harris
of Kansas, a member of the Committee
IN Inter- Oceanic Canals, who is also
an engineer of recognized ability. His
discussion of the technical details of
canal construction was listened to with
rrofound attention. He strongly ad-
vocated the selection of the Nicaragua
route. He maintained that it was en-
tirely feasible and practicable from an
engineering standpoint and said that
eonoe of the difficulties presented by
the Panama route were insuperable-
notably the construction of the Bohio
dam
Mr.. Tillman inquired how the lands
necessary for the Nicaragua route were
10 be obtained if they were owned by
private individuals. as the govern
ment to be subjected to such private
claims ?" he asked. "In other words,
have Americans gone down there and
fixed up things so that we will have to
0f n oil,
the right of way?"
THE treaty with Nicaragua" Mr..
Harris replied. provides for con-
demnation of the lands where private
rights are involved"
Mr. Culberson of Texas inquired how
much would have to be paid by the
United States for private rights along
the canal.
Mr. Harris replied that so far as he
knew no data upon that subject had
been prepared and no estimate made.
In response to a suggestion by Mr.
Tillman that the United States was
likely TO be mulcted of millions of dol
lars, Mir. Morgan interrupted to say
that by an arrangement with the Mic
araguan government in the event of
the adoption of the Nicaraguan route
all acquisition of lands by the United
States would date back to the condi-
tons which prevailed in December
1900. That would preclude absolutely
speculation in the land along the route.
TiIIman Is Much Afraid.
Mr.. Tillman again expressed his APP
prehension that spectators had OBJ
tanned or would obtain title to lands
that would be necessary to the United
States if the Nicaragua route We're Sc
lected He was afraid these claims
would spring up in the pathway of the
United States, with hands outstretch-
ed towards the treasury with the de-
mand to stand and deliver"
Mr.. Harris replied that in view of the
diplomatic arrangements between the
United States and Nicaragua no such
apprehension as that suggested was
warranted, although in project of this
kind and this magnitude it was impos-
sble, perhaps, to guard absolutely
against frauds of the kind suggested.
Mr.. Morgan discussed briefly the dip
lomatic negotiations between the
United States and the government of
Nicaragua and Costa Rica to'show that
neither Nicaragua nor Costa Rica could
have claims against this gov
eminent through the old mari
time canal company. He point
ed out that it was through
the wisdom and foresight of William
Mckinley that the United States had
acquired the exclusive right to con-
struct canal through Nicaragua and
costa RIGA and he declared that that
was one of the most magnificent acts
ever performed by President of the
thlted States. 1t had cleared the way
Tor the construction of the canal and
tnose two Southern nations were bound
by the agreement until this Congress
should take action upon the canal
question.
The National Forest Reserve.
During the early part of the session.
Inc naval appropriation bill was con-
sidered. All of the committee amend
ments were disposed of except that re-
Iatlng to the construction of two ad
altlonal battleships, two cruisers and
Two gunboats
Mr.. Simmons of North Carolina aG-
dressed the Senate in support of the
Dill for the establishment of a ma
uonal forest reserve in the Southern
appalachian mountains. He explained
.Hdt ten forest reserves had been made
III the United States, none of them east
VI the Mississippi river. He said the
establishment of the ten reserves in
1ne west was made in the public do
nam While cash would have to be
III tHe proposed reserve. lie Oll
Aot believe, however, that there was
any difference between appropriating
t t from the treasury and appropriat-
Jug property of the government
"r' simmons said il had been sug-
sested that there might be some dob
III the pending bill. This, ne knew,
va. Was not true and there was no founda-
uoh IN fact for the suggestion. The
rbansI was essentially national in
.naIacter and it was advocated as a
national proposition.
FOR Charleston-s Navy Yard.
Al the conclusion of Mr.. Simmons
.fI.eech consideration was begun OF
me me naval appropriation bill. A COM
ugtlee amendment was offered by Mr.
9a aoie and adopted appropriating $685.
wv Tor the construction of buildings
at mn me Charleston, s. c., navy yard.
NJ. me naval bill was laid aside and
49, harris addressed the Senate on
VIC Isthmian canal project.