The Washington times., 1903-08-23

ters in which the Government was no
party and could have no interest.
1t so happened that at about the time
the engineers were sent under the di-
rection of Sir William Van Horne to the
Philippines one of the more prominent
engineers associated with the surveys
to determine the feasibility of the Mica
ragua Canal project determined to go
himself to the Philippines to make a
thorough investigation there and to
bring back maps. reports and data if
his Investigations proved satisfactory
which might be the basis of the forma-
tion of syndicate of private character
whose object would be to exploit In the
way of transportation the archipelago.
This engineer returned some time in
the spring with reports quite as en-
couraging and as detailed as were those
brought by Sir Williams engineers. AS
he had been in association with those
who were prominent in the Nicaragua
Canal project, he sought some OF them.
They were impressed with the practical
bility of his proposition and highly i'm
pressed with the mastery manner in
which his maps and data had been pre-
pared. 1t is the understanding here
that, fortified with this information and
with a somewhat definite plan in mind,
ex-senator Warner Miller called upon
Secretary Root to lay the matter before
him. The Secretary informed him that
he had already become so convinced
that this plan was not only practicable
h,,t - haa
cured and that the matter had been sub
mitted to Sir William Van Horne, who
in turn was in negotiation with fnan-
ciers of New York, chiefly Jacob H.
Schiff
Private Capital Interested.
In the financial district ex-senator
Miller is quoted as having spoken in
perfect sympathy with all Secretary
Root said about the plan, but ii is also
observed that with some financiers here
there is a feeling that to commit work
of such magnitude to the leadership Of
a British citizen might possibly prove
to be an error. They say that in Cuba
we had no authority excepting .he tenn
porary one of the protectorate. and that
system upon tolerance, the expectation
being that the Cuban republic when or
ganized would validate what he had
done.
But the United States is sovereign In
the Philippines. and the wonder is
whether in view of this young sovereign
ty II may be expedient to commit such
an important trust to a British subject.
That. however. is the only hint of a
criticism of plan that has been heard
in this city. 1t was reported today that
Senator Miller expects to sail for Eng
land on Saturday and that his somewhat
sudden trip across the sea Is made nec-
essary by reason of opportunities that
may be found there for such aid a.
would make it possible for the syndi-
cate with which he is associated, and
which is in possession of most valuable
charter rights. to undertake this work
Whether that is the object of Senator
Miller's visit to England or not he
alone knows. That he is going he ad-
nitted today. but seemed somewhat an
noyed when he was informed that IL was
the impression in banking circles here
that IL is because OF this proposition and
opportunities that have arisen that he
is going. At the same time he refused
enphatically to speak about the matter,
excepting that he was willing to say SO
much as this: 1T is true that / am go
ing TO England on Saturday. When re-
turn II may be that / shall be able to
say something about the exploitation of
a railway and steamship system In the
archipelago. l can say as much as this.
that l believe it would be to the benefit
Of the archipelago and to the United
States If transportation facilities were
perfected there. just as it was 10 our
benefit when the Pacific Railroad was
built, but I say this as an American cit
izen, and there must be no inference
from 1t that have any other interest in
the matter than that of an American
citizen"