The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-02-09
PANAMA ROUTE CHOICE
REASONS FOB THE IsTHMIAN CANAL
COMMISSIONS CHANGE.
Rear Admiral Walker Again Ques-
TONED by SenatOrs-No Serious
Engineering Difficulties.

WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-Admiral Walker
concluded his testimony before the Senate
on interoceanic canals to-day
and Colonel Haupt. another member of the
isthmian canal commission. is to be heard
Monday next.
The examination to-day was with refer
ence to the reasons why the canal commits
sion changed its recommendations from the
Nicaragua to the Panama route. The rea-
sons given by the witness for this change,
summed UP, are that the Panama route is
much shorter and that it has fewer curves,
and that those curves which do exist are
not so sharp as the curves in the Mica
ragua route. He also said he believed that
with proper quarantine regulations the
health conditions of the region along the
Panama route could be much improved. He
did not consider the present condition from
a health point Of view as bad.
The questions bringing out these points
were asked largely by Senator Hanna, who
also made inquiries concerning the water
supply for the Panama canal and the diff
fculties in the way OF constructing a dam
at Bohio. With reference TO the dam Ad-
miral Walker said he had no doubt that
the engineering difficulties could be over
come, and he also expressed the opinion
that the water supply would be ample. He
stated in reply to questions by other sem
ators that one of the curves in the Panama
waterway would be quite sharp, but he was
of opinion that steam vessels would be able
to round il. He also said that the harbor
at Panama could be maintained at a NOM
inal cost.
Senator Morgan questioned the witness
at length with reference to the commits
siOn'S investigation of the power Of the
new Panama Canal COmnGnW IN fpqnEfpr
the property and give clear title. In reply
to all the questions on this line Admiral
Walker said he had been satisfied in a gem
eral way that the new Panama Canal Com
pany would be capable of passing the prop
erty to the United States with acceptable
title, but that he was not a lawyer and
that he felt satisfied in case the recon-
mendation of the commission 10 accept
the Panama route should be faVOrably act
be assured by competent legal advice of
the genuineness OF the title before ac-
cepting the transfer. I'VE only ecommen
the Panama route as practicable and feas-
ible," he said, by which we mean that
we considered the engineering proposition
as practicable and the diplomatic negO-
tiation as feasible" He said that he had
had no negotiations with NJ. Lampre, sec
rotary generate of the new Panama com
pany, beyond receiving the proposition for
the sale Of that company from him as had
been published. He had, however, made
many inquiries of NJ. Lampre concerning
his company's title and had been assured
by that gentleman that it was good.
In reply to a question from Senator Nor
gan as to whether the government of the
United States had instituted any negotia-
lions with the government of Colombia
relating to a transfer of the property, Ad-
miral Walker said he would have to refer
the senator to the State Department, that
IL he had such information he would not
be at liberty to divulge it. He expressed
the opinion, however, that the Colombian
government would be bound by any obi
cation assumed by the Panama company,
A.-r ~hnf nrrn nn NJ ont 10 n GfnAlrhnlIn~
in the Panama company.
The admiral was questioned concerning
the French lottery for the promotion OF the
interests of the Panama canal, but he replied
he had heard in Paris. He had understood
there that such a lottery ha6 been author
lied, but he knew nothing of the limita-
lions placed upon ii or the scope allowed
il by the French law.