New-York tribune., 1902-06-18
fSTHMIAN CANAL DEBATE.
THREE SENATORS SPEAK FOR MICA
EA&s-A A.lD ONE FAvORs PANAMA
i},.rI.AT or THE NICARAGUA PILL PRAc-
TIcALIy CONCEDED BY MR.. MORGAN

D,.FIAT or THE NICARAGUA PILL PRAC-
TIcALLy CONCEDED BY MR.. MORGAN
Washington June 17.-Throughout to-day's ses-
sion Of the Senate the isthmian canal question
was under consideration. Speeches were nlaue OS
Senators Perkins, OF California; Gallinger' OF Ne"
Hampshire Stewart. cf Nevada, and Morgan OF
Alabama. All advocated the Nicaragua route eX-
cept Mr.. Gallinger. who made a forceful argu-
ment In support Of the Panama route
A remark made by Mr.. Morgan was regarded as
foreshadowing the result of the vote on Thursday.
Referring the alleged wrongdong by the Pan
anna Canal Company. he said The people believe
it now; and when this substitute is passed they
will know It"
Mr.. Perkins referred to the argument made yes
terday by Mr.. Kittredge, that the government OF
Costa Rica unable constitutionally to enter
into agreement with the United States for the
construction of the Nicaragua Canal. If the argu-
ment of Mr.. Kittredge sound. he said. the
legal minds of this country have been laboring
under erroneous impression He said that
there was little If anything in the point made by
the South Dakota Senator. Mr. Perkins main
tained that the United States Government now
was forced to make a choice between the Panama
and Nicaragua route. AT first glance there seemed
to be little choice between the two routes but a
careful examination Ct the Panama project and a
like investigation of the Nicaragua route would
convince anybody, he believed that the Nicaragua
route was the better for the United States. He
uecIared that the adoption of the Panama route
would involve this country in political and fnan-
clai troubles which would prove disastrous.
IN conclusion Mr.. Perkins made a strong appeal
Tor the adoption OF the Nicaragua route. main
tanning that in every essential respect it was far
superior TO the Panama route.
Mr Stewart also advocated the adoption Of the
Nicaragua route. The climate of Panama." said
lie ne Is pracuca!y prohibitive of a canal there II
dNeIt particularly the unhealthfulneSs of the
climate in Panama. and recounted the great dill
Panama Railroad. The dismal place on
earth. said he. lis Panama when the winds are
not blowing, which is about eight months in the
year. Death in the face all those who go
ole for white men to work at Panama and live
ReferrIng 10 the argument OF Mr.. kittredge that
the government of Costa Rica was unable conSu-
tutlonally to make an agreement with the Unlteo
States, Mr. Stewart maintained that there would
he difficulty in making such agreement as
Costa Rica had already practically agreed TO the
clear title TO the Panama Canal property could be
obtained by the United States The Panama Canal
Company. he said, a bankrupt concern. ana
could pass title to nothing.
Mr. Gallinger said he had originally been in
favor of the Mica ra qua route. but the report OF
the Isthmian Canal Commission induced him TO
that he had decided TO support the Panama route
He discussed at length the climatic conditions IN
regard TO health of both Nicaragua and Panama
indicating that Panama showed no difficulties
scientific methods. He believed that If proper
sanitary arrangements were made in Panama
death from disease would BE- reduced 10 a mini
Tr Morgan in charge of the bill said false
crv had been raised about the health conditions In
Panama. It had been shown by the experience OF
of the most unheathful places on the face OF the
globe.