The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-03-13
THE
NICARAGUA
ROUTE.
Senate Committee on Canals
by Vote Of I to 4 Decides
10 Report The Hepburn Bill.

Washington March 13-The senate
committee on Isthmian canals has de-
cided by vote of 10 to report the
Hepburn bill providing for the construc-
ton of an Isthmian canal via the Near
aqua route.
The action of the committee was taken
at a called meeting held yesterday after
noon. 1t came after brief report by
Senator Morgan, chairman of the COM
mittee, detailing the result OF confer
ence with Secretary Hay as to the status
of diplomatic negotiations with the Cen
tral American Republics concerning the
canal.
He said that the secretary told him
that there are no negotiations in progress
between the United Stetes and Colombia
concerning the Panama route. and that
the new minister from Colombia had not
even presented his credentials; but that,
on the other hand. the representatives OF
this country and those OF Nicaragua ana
Costa Rica had been in consultation ana
had agreed upon practically all the points
10 be covered I'm concession treaties,
nothing really being left relative 10 that
but 10 put the agreements in writing.
He said that the governments OF those
two countries had manifested a DISPOSE
ton 10 make all the concessions the
United States could ask toward aiuihs
the construction of a canal, and that
among these concessions was one for per-
petual right of way.
When the recitation OF the report had
been completed. Senator Hanna suggest
ed that probably the Colombian minister
had been detained by untoward circum-
stances. He proposed that action by the
l,.. Hal
could be had to ascertain Colombia's po-
sition.
This suggestion met with strong pro-
test from the friends OF the Nicaragua
route, and Senator Mitchell moved that
the Hepburn bill as it passed the house
be reported.
Senator Kittredge moved that IL be
amended by postponing action until next
Monday. but his motion was voted down
a TO 7.
Senator Mitchelrs motion was carried
by the same vote reversed.
Some of the members OF the committee
were absent but as their positions were
understood. their votes were counted.
The vote for the Hepburn bill stood:
Yeas--Messrs. Morgan, Mitchell. Haw-
ley. Platt IN. Y) Harris, Turner, Foster,
Ua)
Nays-Messrs. Hanna, Pritchard. Mil
| lard, Kittredge.
| After the adjournment OF the commit
| tee Senator Morgan said that he would
| probably report the bill to the senate to-
| day. While he would use all due dill
| gence I'm securing consideration OF the
| measure, he had had no conference with
| the Republican leaders OF the senate as
| TO when the measure should be taken up
l for consideration.
| He had not been authorized to present
| written report and would not present
| any beyond submitting the testimony
| taken during the committee hearing
The Hepburn bill authorizes the presi-
| dent to asquire territory for right OF way
| for a canal from Costa Rica and Mica
ragua; directs the construction of a canal
| OF sufficient capacity TO accommodate
the largest ships from Greytown on the
| Atlantic via Lake Nicaragua TO Brito on
the Pacific. under the supervision OF the
| secretary OF war; authorizes surveys OF
the harbors at the two ends of the route
guarantees the use of the canal TO vessels
OF Costa Rica and Nicaragua, and appro-
| pirates slo,0oo,0oo for beginning the work