New-York tribune., 1902-01-21
IN FAVOR OF PANAMA.

The ISthmian Canal Commission has made a
supplementary report, unanimously and un-
equivocally recommending the Panama route
as the most practicable and feasible of the
routes considered by 1t. This action fulfils
common expectation. and is entirely consistent
with the former action of the commission. 1t
will be remembered that in its original report
the commission dwelt strongly upon various ad-
vantages of the Panama route, but objected to
It because of the eItortionate price which the
French company at that time wanted for its
unfinished work. 1t pretty evident that
that price all that kept the commission
from recommending that route. But the pro-
hibitive price was there and in those circum-
stances the commission wisely and prudently
recommended the Nicaragua route, which
seemed TO It the next best. and, with price taken
into consideration, the best. Now, however,
the circumstances have materially changed.
The maladroit Mr. Hutin has been displaced by
men who are willing to come to terms on a rea-
sonable basis. The Panama enterprise may
now be obtained at a price not exceeding It's
actual value. In those changed circumstances
the commission has done well, has acted both
wisely and courageously, in amending its report
In accordance Herewith.
The report Is not final and determinative.
That is to say, Congress is not compelled TO ac-
cept the commissions recommendation. There
are undoubtedly other elements of the problem
to be considered besides those dealt with in this
report. There are the diplomatic aspects Of the
case and some of its commercial phases. These
and others will receive due consideration.
Nevertheless, the report of the commission must
have great weight. And that weight will be EN-
hanced by this supplementary report. which
shows the commission TO be unbiased and
as courageous as its former work showed it TO
be intelligent and painstaking AS an express
sion of expert opinion and as an impairment
of essential information, we may well regard
the amended report of the commission as the
last word of that sort that is to be spoken in
the canal controversy.
1t now remains for Congress to act with the
circumspect deliberation and ct the same time
with the earnestness and promptnesS which so
vast enterprise deserves. 1t must be said
that current incidents in Colombia are most un-
fortunate In their tendency TO discourage the
choice of the Panama route. For months the
isthmus has been in the throes of insurrection.
United States ships and troops have been needed
there to protect American property and rights,
and to-day's news tells of a violent recru-
descence of the trouble on the water as well
as on the land. The spectacle of rival fleets
fighting IN what would be one of the terminal
harbors of the canal is a suggestive spectacle.
1t raises the query, What would happen If such
an incident occurred when the canal was fin
ished? Would Colombia and her rebels regard
the neutrality Of the canal and adjacent waters
without physical compusion? The United
States has, of course been able for all these
years to maintain the neutrality Of the Panama
Railroad and to protect il from disturbance, and
it could undoubtedly in like manner guard the
canal. But there can be no question that Co
lombia would much more commend her canal
route to favorable consideration by keeping the
peace somewhat better In those parts.