The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-14

Washington. January I'M. Edouard
Lampre. representing the Panama
Canal Company. appeared before the
senate committee on tnter-oceanic ca
mons Of that committee. to testify con-
corning the affairs ef hrs company and
It's proffer to sell its property and fran
chises to the United States.
Mr.. jules Boeufve OF the French EN-.
bassy. also was present at the hearing.
The meeting was held behind closed
doors. representatives OF the press be-
ing excluded.
Mr.. Lampre was questioned at great
length by the members of the commit
lee. He said that his mission to the
United States had been to ascertain to
whom the proposition sor the sale Of
the Panama propert- should be made.
Having informed himself upon this
point he had conferred with Admiral
Walker. chairman OF tie isthmian canal
commission. as to the form of the offer.
He then had cabled 10 his principals,
the result being that The offer to sell
for $4o,000.000 had been made directly
from Paris and not by him. He said.
however. that 1t was his understanding
that the proposal included both the
franchises and the property OF the Pan.
anna Company, but not the money i'm it,
treasury Of which there Is about 31s.-
600, 600 frances.
NJ. Lampre was questioned. and es.
pecially concerning the title Of the
present Panama Company, several
members OF the committee expressing
doubt as to whether those now claim
ing ownership had secured unquestion-
able title. He replied that they ha6
made their purchase through the liqei-
dator OF the old company and that the
transfer was regular. In response to
ether questions he said that in case the
Transaction should be Consummated the
money would be distributed among tho
members Of the original company and
tnose of the present organization by ar
bitration. He said that the proffer OF
MS company had been made in good
faith and that the company was abis
TO deliver the goods.
In response to INQUIRIES. NJ. Lampre
contended that the new company had
d perfect right TO sell the property and
that to do so would not infringe upon
The rights Of anyone
Senator Morgan asked what the cor.
po1ation had been organized for and
the witness replied that the purpose was
tn build canal. The senator. then
asked whether an attempt to sell the
canal was not proceeding In bad faith.
NJ Lamprs maintained that IL was
not He also said that the American
Panama Canal Company had been or
sanized in New Jersey Tor the purposs
OF disposing Of the property In thfa
country. IL possible.
AS matter OF fact" said Mr.. Nor.
gan. you appear to have had the cana,
On the bargain counter ever since the
company was organIzed?"
The witness protested to the eousrarz
The fact was developed at the hear.
Ing thai the bonded Indebtedness of In.
old company was soo.o0o.oeo frances
and also that since the new compan,
had come into control II had paid r..
ooo.oeo frances to the Colombian govern.
ment for concessions. II was ala
SHOWN that the lease from the govern
inent was for nInety-nine years ant
that at the end OF the time the propert,
would revert to Colombia
M. Boeufve was asked only whethe,
the proposition to sell the canal for $40
10000 had been made with the author
ity Of the French government. He re
piled In the negative. saying that ,ha,
government had no connection what.
ever with the tranxacf,on