Omaha daily bee., 1902-12-03


which not only the United States but for
eign nations may take advantage Of the
machinery already in existence at The
Hague.
1 recommend to the favorable considera-
tion OF the congress tho Hawaiian FIRE
claims, which we're the subject Of careful
investigation during the last session.
Isthmian Canal at Panama.
The congress has wisely provided that we
shall build at once an isthmian canal II
possible at Panama. The attorney general
reports that we can undoubtedly acquire
good title from the French Panama Canal
company. Negotiations are now pending
with Colombia to secure her assent to our
building the canal. This canal will be one
OF the greatest engineering feats OF the
twentieth century; a greater engineering
feat than has yet been accomplished dur
ing the history Of mankind. The work
should be carried out as a continuing policy
without regard to change OF administration;
and II should be begun under circumstances
which will make Il n matter OF pride fcr
all ADMINISTRATION to continue in policy.
The canal will be or great benefit to
America, and of Importance to all the world.
II will be Of advantage to Us industrially
and also as improving our military posi-
tion. II will be OF advantage to the coun-
tries of tropical America. 1t is earnestly
to be hoped that all Of these countries
will do as some of them have already done
with signal success, and will invite to their
shores commerce and improve their ma
teriAl conditions by recognizing that
stability and order are the prerequis ties
OF successful development. No independent
nation In America need have the slightest
fear Of aggression from the United States.
II behooves each one TO maintain order
within It's own borders and to discharge
its just obligations to foreigners. When
this is done. they can rest assured that.
be they strong or weak. they have moth
ing to dread from outside interf renee.
More and more the increasing interdepend-
ence and completely of international pol
itical and economic relations render 1t in
cumbent on all civilized and orderly pow
ers to insist on the proper policing OF
the world.
Pacific Cable Charter.
During the fall Of 1901 a communication
was addressed to the secretary Of state.
asking whether permission would be granted
by the president to a corporation to lay
a cable from a point on the California
coast TO the Philippine Islands by way Of
Hawaii. A statement of conditions or terms
upon which such corporation would under
take to lay and operate a cable was volun-
teered.
Inasmuch as the congress was shortly
to convene, and Pacific cable legislation
had been the subject OF consideration by
the congress for several years, II seemed
to me wise to defer action upon the APP
plication until congress had first an APP
portunity to act. The congress adjourned
without taking any action, leaving the
matter in exactly the same eond ton in
which II stood when the congress convened.
Meanwhile 1t appears that the CONNER
cial Pacific Gable company had promptly
proceeded with preparations for laying its
cable. 1t also made application to the pres
ident for access to and use Of sounding
taken by the United States steamship Nero
for the purpose OF discovering a practic-
able route for a transpacifc cable. the
company urging that with access to these
soundlngs IT could complete its cable much
sooner than II 1t were required to take
soundings upon its own account. Pending
consideration OF this subject, it appeared
important and desirable to attach certain
conditions to the permission to examine anC
use the soundings, II It should be granted
In consequence OF this solicitation of tn,
cable company, certain conditions wer,
1ormulateu, upon Whlcn the president wa
willing TO allow access to these sounding
and to consent to the landing and laying o
the cable, subject to any alterations or ad
ditions thereto imposed by the congress
This was deemed proper, especially as /
was clear that a cable connection OF som
kind with China, a foreign country, was
part Of the company's plan. This cours
was, moreover. in accordance with a line o
presidents, including President Grants &C
tion In the case Of the first French cable
explained to the congress in his annua
message OF December. 1875. and the in
stance occurring in 1879 Of the secon
French cable from Brest TO st. Pierre, wit
a branch TO Cape Cod.
These conditions prescribed, among othe
things. a maximum rate for commercia
messages and that the company should con
struct a line from the Philippine Islands t
China, there being at present, as is wei
known, a British line from Manila to Hong
kong.
The representatives OF the cable eompan
kept these conditions long under considera