Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-01-25

Washington, Jan. 23.-The Nicaragua
route advocates are limiting that the
| Colombia government is not willing to
make II perpetual lease of the strip of
territory through which the isthInian
canal must pass. The suggestion does
not carry any great alarm with it.
The Walker commission had no ali-
thorily To conduct diplomatic Degotia-
tiOns with the Colombian government or
any other, and hence was very careful
in its latest report to hinge everything
| upon the question of our being ahle to
| make with Colombia as advantageous
! an agreement about the right of way as
| had been offered us by Nicaragua and
COSTA Rich. This meant a perpetual
lease. ut a price or rental not eNlor-
| tiOnate.
There is no doubt that DR.. silva ! as
| permitted our administration to know.
without putting the matter into formal
| shape, where his government stands On
the leasing question. Another thing
which points in the same direction is
the fact that he Is aware that. unless
we can get from Colombia the terms
congress considers essential. no legisla-
tion will get through and Colombia and
the Panama company will have gone
through all their recent cOntorliOns in
vain. This consideration Is not likely
to he lost upon his home government
through any neglect or Indifference on
Or. Silva's part.
Why everybody should have jumped
to the conclusion that the reversal of
he iSthmian canal rpcommenda ton noe
rsS:lrily meant that there would be no
canal legislation at the present session
Of congress Is not easy to see. OF course
the first effects of square recon-
incubation, signed by every member Of
the commission. in favor of the accept.
| ance of the French offer were somewhat
dazzling. after years Of agitation in be-
half of Nicaragua.
When the preliminary report of the
present commission was made. little
more than Il year ago. ii was currently
remarked here tina political exp,,liency
required Il recommendation in behalf Of
Nicaragua: the Pacific coast. ii was said
would lose confidence in the commission
if II found for any other route. The re-
port submitted to congress on Monday
is thus the first recommendation Of the
Panama route from any official source
IN many years. ana naturally 1t does not
At once overcome the momentum of long
agitation in behalf of the other line.
While it will take some time for con.
gress to adjust itself to the lew stua.
ton. there is little reason to believe tnat
ii will not do so. Senator MOrgans
continued opposition to Panama will
ALLEVIATE support for his cause rather
than win il. The idea that tn. United
States government should not buy the
French properties because Of the loss
that would fall upon the French stock
holders in selling out 50 cheap is a pp-
cuiar sort of altruism, in view of tie
fact that these same Frcnchmen would
lose about SlO.0OO.OUO more in case we
decline TO do so. Ills fears con-
rerlling legal complications are about as
%roundless. Who is going to make the
United States government pay these
claims which he believes will spring III
to existence from sources now llldis.
covered in case we complete the trade!
The United States will be its own Judge
Of rights and equities then rs now.
Morgan'S interviews thus really help
the Panama project.