The Washington times., 1902-01-06
MIR. M0RGAN'S
CANAL PLANS.
Bill Not to Be Called Up in
Senate Today.
SILENT As TO HIS COURSE.
Reasons for Opposing the Panama
Scheme-Frnpcc Would Have to
sanction the-Sale and Guarantee
Clear Titie-CcIOmbia Also Fac
tor to BE Considered in Transfer.

Senator Morgan, chairman of the SEN
ate Committee en- Irteroceanic Canals.
declined last night to indicate what he
proposed to do in the Senate with the
Nicaragua Canal bill reported by lis
committee. He declared he had never an
nOunced his intention of calling it up to-
day, or at any other certain time, but, on
the contrary, had steadily refused to dis
cuss what course he proposed to pursue.
He said he had no personal Information
in connection with the latest proposition
of the Panama Canal Company.
Would Have Been Advised.
Il doubt if it is seriously entertained
by the President" he said. although he
may transmit it to the Senate. / have
never seen NJ. Jules Boeufve, who is re-
ported as being the Washington repre-
sentative of the Panama Canal Company,
nor have l received any Information or
proposition from him, and l think if the
President intended to take any action on
the proposition would have been advised
of it"
Reasons for Opposition.
The Senator intimated that he did not
believe NJ. Boeufve could entirely divest
himself of his official character as Chan
cellor of the French Embassy while act
ing as counsel for the Panama Canal Com
pany. Mr.. Morgan opposes the Panama
project first, because he believes too
many diplomatic complications would en-
sue from any acceptance of any PROPOSE
tion from the canal company unless di-
rectly sanctioned by the French Govern
ment. and, second. because he holds ii is
impossible to complete the Panama Canal.
France Must Guarantee.
Senator Morgan pointed out last night
that there were at least 300, 900 French
stockholders and that any negotiations be-
tween the company and the United States
should be sanctioned by the French Gov
ernment to avoid the possibility of claims
for damages.
IF the Panama Canal Company means
business he said, lit should be able
to satisfy the United States in advance
that the French Government will make
no protest against the sale of the canal
TO the United States on behalf Of the
100000 French stockholders. and that it
guarantees a clear titie e the pro~~--v-
Mest Consult CoIombi-
'-be sir~aramer. Columb,7 .a.si
i's. be c.-aGTyo5. l'r 40. charter o. me
Pa-a-- ea-upapy n IS the ssls ~ their
~ rar-, 20 any Ga.-rauert azE .-o-
vices that a proposition - MAKE -Ica :
sale snail work forfeiture of the prop
erty.'
Barring the existence of secret under
standing between the Colombian Govern
ment and the Panama company, Senator
Morgan said he thought that by negoti-
ating with the United States the COM
pany had already forfeited its charter.
Impossible to Complete.
He gave number of reasons why he
believed it impossible to complete and
operate a canal across the I5thmus of
Panama. He thought there would be no
difficulty in securing the necessary con-
cessions for a Nicaragua Canal, and
said that if the United States obtained a
et ncossion from Nicaragua it would be
from 4 sovereign State, and no complica
tions were possible with the Maritime
Canal Company or the Grace-Cragin-
Eyre syndicate, which would be compelled
TO look to Nicaragua, and not TO the
United States, to satisfy any claims they
might make.
Panama Offer Reaches President.
The expected proposition of the Panama
Canal Company to sell its properties and
rights TO the United States Government
for $40, 200. 600, the price named by the
Isthmian Canal Commission, was COM
municated to Rear Admiral John C.
Walker, president OF the commission,
on Saturday.
1t came in the form OF a cablegram
from Paris, sent in behalf of the direc- |
torate of the company to Jules Boeufye, |
formerly chancellor of the French EN- |
bassy, but who is now on leave of alb |
sence from the French diplomatic service |
in order that he may act as counsel in |
Washington for the company.
Admiral Walker took the telegram to |
Secretary Hav, who laid it before the |
President. II will be sent TO Congress by |
Mr.. Roosevelt without any recommenda- |
ton.
Matter Now Rests With Congress. |
The Administration holds that the selec-
tlon of a canal route is entirely in the |
hands Of Congress, and that the Execu-
tive is concerned only with the neces-
sary diplomatic arrangements
In its offer TO the United States the ca
nal company declares itself ready 10 trans
fer TO this Government on payment of $40 |