New-York tribune., 1902-01-01
lSTHMIAN CANAL ROUTES.
THE SENTIMENT AMONG MEMBERS OF
CONGRESS-
BELIEF GROWING THAT THE PANAMA
COMPANY'S OFFER WILL HAVE TO BE
CONSIDERED BEFORE FINAL ACTION.
lay TELEGRAPH TO THE rR1BUxE.J

lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
Washington Dec. 31.-While few members Of
either branch Of Congress are willing at this
Juncture to give for publication their views OF
the lsthmian canal situation as modified by the
changing attitude OF the French shareholders in
the Panama enterprise many Senators and Rep
resentatives do not object to talking privately
IN such way to Indicate their growing belief
that the owners Of the Panama franchise will
nave 10 be reckoned with seriously by this gov
ernment before another definite step is taken in
canal legislation. This does not mean that the
Hepburn Nicaragua Canal bill will encounter
dangerous opposition in the House in spite OF
the pronounced pessimism with which the au-
thor Of that measure talks publicly and
privately about its future. As pointed
out in these dispatches on Sunday night,
there is scarcely any doubt that the Hepburn
bill will pass the House by immense major
ity before February l. 1t Will be called up
the special order of business on January 4 and
kept before the House until finally disposed of.
There is too much timidity and lack of initiative
in the House TO lend strength at the present
time to any stories signifying the likelihood Of
a rally in that branch Of Congress against the
efforts the earnest and capable Mr.. Hepburn.
Of Iowa, IS making to push legislation for
the Nicaragua route This statement takes full
account Of the potent fact that Mr.. Cannon, Of
Illinois chairman of the great Appropriations
Committee. is extremely doubtful Of the wisdom
or good politics at this time of passing a meas
ure ahead of all the necessary supply bills
which Of Itself would take from the Treasury
virtually in a lump sum the enormous amount
Of $3.50 0C00oo 70 be expended on scheme the
practcabiity Of which has not yet been estab-
lished 10 the satisfaction of many men of in
1uence in Washington.
FRIENDS OF HEPBURN BILL DISCOUR-
AGED.
Then, too, a factor in the Nicaragua situa
ton IS the assertion bruited about with fire.
queucy and with an air of confidence that an
.nteroc eauic waterway along the Nicaragua
route eventually would cost many times the ap-
preparation called for in the Hepburn bill This
statement is having an effect on the economists
in Congress, because it is made quite as often
by the professed friends Of the Nicaragua route
as by its known enemies. II is not surprising.
therefore, in view Of this condition, that the in
teaton reported from Paris Of the French own
ers Of the Panama Canal TO offer that prop
erty 10 the United States for $4,000,
600 IS having an effect on the minds Of
Senators and Representatives. that is dis
COUTaging % the friends Of the Hepburn
bill The only notable exception 10 this rule is
Senator Morgan. Of Alabama, who now that the
old lion in the path-the Clayton -BUlwer
Treaty-has been removed through the diplo-
macy OF the administration, awaits with con-
hdence that Is beautiful in its sincerity and
simplicity the realization of the most enchant-
ing dream Of his long career as statesman
Everything is now clear for the construction
Of the canal" is about all Senator Morgan will
say on the subject when asked what effect the
French offer viii have The Frenchnen." he
gees on 10 say, cannot fool US any longer
We have treated them with great consideration
ever since this canal question has been before
the country, and We propose TO continue this
treatment but the time has now come when
We must let them know in a positive way that
we intend TO build our own canal. and. further
more that we haven't much confidence in. their
Panama scheme"
NIGHT BE TWO CANALS
As an offset TO Senator Morgan's glowing
optimism is the one solid fact that the Panama
people must b dealt with on a business basis
before any further progress is made toward the
construction OF a canal The realiza ton is lust
beginning 10 dawn on some minds usually not
slow that until the French company becomes
thoroughly Americanized this government would
not be fully justified in beginning the construc-
ton Of a canal at any point on the isthmus
That is 10 say even If Congress should author
ize the building Of the Nicaragua Canal il is
not impossible that the French themselves
would complete their canal ahead Of ours or
the job. In such event there would of
course be produced a situation more embarrass-
ing TO the United States than this country has
ever yet had to face on the canal question
Whether or not there is cause for serious dan
ger on this score. it is obvious that this
possible complication is afording the ground
work for a superstructure OF strong argument
for the acceptance of the French offer II is
contended that it would he better TO buv the
Frenchmen out at the present offer or some
thing approXlmating il just to get rid of them
Tor ali tne. and then we go on in our own
way AID build the canal wherever our engineer
ing experts finally determine is the more prac-
ucable route. Under such circumstances this
country then would be the sole owner OF
all canal routes on the isthmus and in
the long run the 4OOOO0OO or less ex-
pended for the purpose OF getting rid of
the French claims would cut a small
financial figure in a transaction of such pro-
portions. The new Hay-Pauncefote Treaty has
placed the Nicaragua route in the grasp of
this country, but so long the Panama fran
chise remains French property IL Will be a con-
stant source of international irritation declare
those who giving the subject close study
under the new conditions brought about by the
abrogation of the Clayton -BuIwer Treaty and
the reported offer Of the French company to dis
pose of all its rights across the Isthmus of
Panama to the United States for an amount
less than One-ffth Of the total sum they have
expended on the work.
FORT FREDERICK FOR MILITARY PARK
Baltimore. Dec. 81 iSpeciaD.--A military park will
probably be established at old Fort Frederick on
rpIua q,