The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1902-02-15
why THE PANAMA ROUTE Z?
ADMIRAL WALKER TESTIFIES,
Says Panama Canal WOuId Have
Fewer CUrVes-HeaIth Conditions
Could BE ImPrOVed-WAter supply
AmPIe--HarbOr. Maintained at u
NOU,InaI COst-As to the TITLE.

Washington. Feb. l0.-Admiral Wal
ker has concluded his testimony be
fore the senate committee ON inter
oceanic canals.
The examination was with reference
to the reasons why the canal commits
sion changed its recommendations
from the Nicaragua to the Panama
route. The reasons given by the wit
ness for his change, summed up, is
that the Panama route is much shorter
and has fewer curves. and that those
curves which do exist are not SO sharp
as the curves in the Nicaragua route.
He also said he believed that with
proper quarantine regulations the
health condition OF the region along
the Panama route could be much inn
proved. He did not consider the pres
emit condition. from a health point OF
veiw. as bad.
The questions bringing out these
points were asked largely by Senator
Hanna, who also made inquiries con
corning the water supply for the Pan
ANA canal and the difficulties in the
way OF constructing a dam at Bohio
With reference to the dam Admiral
Walker said he had no doubt that the
engineering difficulties could be over.
come and he also expressed the opiu.
ion that the water supply would be
ample. He stated. in reply TO quest
Ions by other senators, that one OF the
curves in the Panama waterway would
be quite sharp, but he was OF the opin
ion that steam vessels would be able
to round il. He also said that the
harbor at Panama could be maintained
at nominal cost.
Senator Morgan questioned the wit
ness at length with reference to the
commissions investigation OF the
power OF the new Panama Canal com
pany to transfer the property and give
a clear title. In reply to all the ques
lions on this line. Admiral Walker
said he had been satisfied in a general
way that the new Panama Canal com
pany would be capable OF passing the
property to the United States with
acceptable title, but that he was no
lawyer and that he felt satisfied, 10
;ase the recommendation OF the com
mission to adopt the Panama ruutr
should be tayorabiy acted upon by con
sress, the president would be assured
~ competent legal advice OF the gen
tineness OF the title before accepting
The transfer. We only recommended
he Panama route as practicable and
feasible" he said. by which we mean
hat we considered the engineerlne
proposition as practicable and the dip
.omatic negotiations as feasible"
He said he had no negotiations with
VI. Lampre, secretary general OF thu
lew Panama company. beyond recely
ing the proposition for the sale OF
hat company from him. as had been
published. He had. however. made
many Inquiries OF NJ Lamp-e concern
ing his company's title and had been
assured by that gentleman that II wa,
coed
In reply TO question from Senator
Morgan as to whether the government
II the United States had instituted
any negotiations with the government
Il Columbia relating to the transfer |
II the property. Admiral Walker said |
hat he would have to refer the sen
ltor to the state department: that II
ne had such Information he would not !
be at liberty to diyulge It. He ex |
pressed the opinion. however. that the !
Columbian government would be
bound by any obligation assumed By |
he Panama company. because tina
government is a stakeholder In the
Panama company.
The admiral was questioned con.
,erning the French lottery Of the In.
crest Of the Panama canal. but he re-
llied that he knew nothing about II,
Except what he had heard In Paris
lie had understood that such a lottery
lad been authorized, but he knew moth.
ng Of the limitations placed upon II
" the French law.