The Washington times., 1902-01-14
LIKELY TO PASS THE SENATE.
Nicaragua Canal Bill Reported and
Now in Committee.


The Nicaragua Canal bill was reported
in the Senate yesterday. While it can
not sail through that body as swiftly and
serenely as through the House the
chances are it will ultimately pass. 1t
is now before the Committee on Inter-
Ocenanic Canals.
This committee had before it yesterday
NJ. Lampre, the representative Of the
Panama Canal Company. He came for
the purpose of reviewing his testimony
given on Saturday.
Asks for Further Hearing.
NJ. Lampre stated to the committee
that he evidently had not made himself
clear on the question of the company S
ability to give perfect title to the canal.
He said this was due perhaps to the
fact that he did not express himself very
clearly In English.
He therefore asked that the committee
give him another opportunity to be heard
on the question of title. This request was
granted by the committee and he will be
heard this morning.
NJ. Jules Boufve, of the French En-
bassy, was also present and will return
today. The committee will take up the
hearing at 2 o'clock.
Revised Statement to he Submitted.
Later in the day. Senator Morgan went
over the testimony taken on Saturday
with NJ. Lampre, and the revised state
ment Will be submitted today. His testi-
mony is to the effect that the entire Pan
anna property will be turned over for s40,-
600 900, which the representative claims
will secure all existing assets OF the COM
pany.
Senator Morgan has no confidence in
either the Panama proposition or the
Panama property. He told NJ. Lampre, in
the course OF the hearing, that he would
not give 37h cents for the canal. He
also said:
Should Not AntngOnize France.
There are 500. 600 Frenchmen who hold
interests great or small in the Panama
Canal Company. This Government cannot
afford to make enemies of these 500, 600
and their children, relatives. and friends
by buying something which. under our
laws we have no right to buy without
the full consent of every man interested,
even though he has but francs interest
in the concern. When | say | would not
give BIZ cents for the Panama Canal
mean that would not take it under any
fai. to those who have their money in
vested in the company"
Senator Morgan is satisfied that the Of
fer of the Panama Canal to this Govern
ment for $40, 000 can result in nothing
either beneficial or substantial.
1t is claimed that Senator Morgan Will
offer a motion in the Senate to substitute
the Hepburn bill for his own, which occu
pies first place on the Senate calendar.
He is as eager in the fight as he has ever
been in the long years Of his advocacy
OF the measure. His colleagues on the
committee. however. do not share his de-
size for extreme expedition, and there is
sure to be extended consideration. The
chances. however. continue to be largely
in favor of the Nicaragua route.
Commission to Meet Thursday.
The Isthmian Canal Commission will
meet on Thursday and begin work on a
supplemental Panama Canal report This
will probably occupy month.
Admiral Walker says the Panama con-
cession is as good as II ever was, and that
there is nothing in the way of its valid
transfer 10 the American Government,
should Congress decide to accept the offer
made.