New-York tribune., 1902-03-15
ISTHMIAN CANAL FIGHT.
SENATOR HANNA TO ADVO-
CATE THE PANAMA ROUTE.
HE DENOUNCES SENATOR MORGANS
METHODS OF CONDUCTING THE
NICARAGUA CAMPAIGN.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l

about abandoned all consideration of the Darien
route. which he once espoused, and is preparing
N make an open and determined fight for the
acceptance Of the French proposition to trans
fer 10 this government the uncompleted Panama
canal for S4O,OOOOOO This important fact was
developed to-day in talk which a Tribune cor
respondent had with Senator Hanna on the 18TH
,nan canal situation, and particularly with ref
srence TO the effect Senator Morgan's recent
sharp flank movement will have on that ques-
Tim Mr. Hanna declares 1t to be his intention to
make q minority report soon from the Commit
zee on Interoceanic Canals for the adoption of
Senator Spooner's amendment to the Hepburn
Nicaragua Canal bill, and to fight it out on this
line until the uncompromising advocates of the
Nicaragua route sue for terms.
The Spooner amendment provides for the ac-
oeptance Of the French proposition, provided
sfter thorough investigation by the Department
of Justice the President is satisfied of the abl-
itv of the French company and the Colombian
Government to make clear title TO that prop
ertv and if this investigation shows that a clear
title cannot be made the President is to proceed
with the construction of the Nicaragua Canal,
as provided by the Hepburn bill Senator Hanna
will be Joined in this recommendation by three
other members Of the committee-Mr. Pritch-
ard, Of North Carolina; Mr.. Kittredge. of South
Dakota and Mr.. Millard, of Nebraska, all Re
uublicans. Against them on the committee and
supporting Senator Morgan are Mr.. Platt, Of
New-York: Mr.. Mitchell. of Oregon, and Mr.
Hawley, of Connecticut, all Republicans; Mr..
Harris Of Kansas; Mr.. Turner, Of Washington,
and Mr.. Foster, of Louisiana, all Democrats
ANGRY AT SENATOR MORGAN.
Mr.. Hanna makes no attempt to conceal his
wrath at Mr.. Morgan for the manner in which
Ia+ra fS he he
Nicaragua route. In his precipitate haste TO
bring the Hepburn bill out Of the committee,
Senator Morgan has imposed upon the Senate,
the country, the members OF the Committee on
Intercceanic Canals and Secretary Hay. Of the
State Department" said Senator Hanna to-day
10 The Tribune correspondent. I'VE have known
all along that he has had votes enough to make
a favorable report on the Hepburn bill. but we
had not supposed that he would try to run
roughshod over US as he did over all the wit
nesses summoned before committee who did
not agree exactly with his view of the canal
question. When last Saturday he called at the
State Department and asked Secretary Hay If
anything had been heard from the Colombian
Government with regard TO making a clear title
10 the French Panama Canal. and was informed
that nothing of definite official character
had been received. then he asked the Secretary
Mr.. Hay declined TO do this because he was too
busy at the time. Then Senator Morgan asked
the Secretary if he would sign a letter he (Sena-
tor Morgan) would write, setting forth the same
facts Mr.. Hay did this and this letter was pre-
sented to our committee last Wednesday a
communication from the Secretary Of State. say
ing both Nicaragua and Costa Rica had made
definite propositions TO lease territory for canal
purposes, but that Colombia had done nothing.
Also that there was nobody in Washington au-
thorized to speak for the Colombian Govern
ment, as DR.. Silva, the resident minister, had re-
signed and gone home. Senator Morgan must
have known at that time that a minister
from Colombia, Senor Concha, was then in
Washington ready TO present his credentials to
the President, and was only prevented from do
ing so by reason of the fact that no time had
been fixed by the President to receive him at
the White House officially. AS soon as Senor
Concha presents his credentials and is properly
installed as the Colombian Minister, 1 believe
he VIII have an official proposition to make,
guaranteeing clear title TO the French Panama
Canal Company. When this is done the canal
question will be in an entirely different situa-
ton than it is to-day. and the Senate certainly
viii insist upon the greatest care and caution
in dealing further with the matter.
FOR THE PRESIDENT TO DECIDE.
IN fact, believe the Senate will see the wis
dom Of adopting the Spooner amendment if any
definite action is taken at this session, as then
the Nicaragua route viii not be in danger if,
after The investigation called for by the Depart
ment Of Justice. the President is convinced that
neither the French company nor Colombia, one
or both, can make a clear title to the Pana-
ma Canal On the contrary, the Nicaragua
route would be in a much better position in
these circumstances than it is at present, be-
cause under the terms Of the Spooner amend
ment If the President is not satisfied with the
situation in Colombia he must Immediately
proceed with the construction of the canal by
the Nicaragua route. Another feature of the
which surely Will have great weight with
the Senate when sQuarely confronted by the
canal question is that Isthmian Canal Com
mission composed of some of the ablest engi-
neers in the country, changed its report from
the Nicaragua TO the Panama route as soon as
the French company came to the terms of the
purchase prescribed by the commission This
has had influence upon the mind Of Senator
Morgan. apparently. but l do not think that
can be said of the majOrity Of the Senate when
the whole question is laid before them in full
and impartial light"
SENATE NOT TO BE HURRIED.
Senator Hanna thinks he viii have his minor
fly report ready next week, and believes it will
have due weight in the Senate. He declares
that he is not going TO be rushed" by Senator
Morgan, and is convinced that the Senate will
take its own time in solving the canal question
IN It's way.
Leading members Of the Republican steering
committee OF the Senate intimated to-day that
lney were III thorough sympathy with Senator
mama In this matter, and while none or them
care 70 be quoted at present they do not hesi-
tate 10 declare that the canal bill will not get
any special favor the legislative programme
ahey point out that there are so many other
questions Of more immediate importance press