The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-02-20
Fight Now On in Earnest
Over the Ratification of
Panama Canal Treaty.
Delay May Prove Fatal.
RumOr Points to Formation
of a Foreign Syndicate,
Behind Which Is Centered
the German Government.

Whether the personal desires OF two
Senators Messrs. Morgan and Quay. or
the fulhIlment of the policy OF the United
States shall be paramount. is the ques-
ton that is being fought out in the Sen
ate today.
senator Morgan wants the Nicaraugan
canal route adopted by this country. and
is therefore fighting the ratification OF
the treaty with Colombia which provides
for the building OF the Panama canal in
accordance with the decision OF major
ity OF the Congress.
senator Quay wants three new States
admitted into the Union Morgan and
Quay succeeded yesterday. by dilatory
actions, In keeping the Senate in execu-
tive session for more than eight hours.
Today the fight is resumed with Morgan
still occupying the floor
Option Soon Expires
In the meantime the option held By
the United States 70 purchase the canal
property for $40 .OOO. 600 will expire at
midnight on March g. II it is renewed
at all. the United States will be com
I PEELED to pay a largely increased price,
but the probabilities are that the op-
/ tion may not be renewed at all. and
that the shortest. cheapest. and most
practicable route for an isthmian canal.
according to the report OF the United
States Canal Commission. will pass into
the hands OF a foreign syndicate
A well authenticated report. which.
however, the attorney Will not cOnhrm,
is 90 the effect that the French COM
pany. which owns the Panama Canal.
has replied TO mis- cablegram. accept
ing the option by saying that. il the
United States ratihes the pending treaty
with Colombia before March 4. the COM
pany will wait for its money until sim
liar action has been taken by the Co
] IomBian congress. But il the treaty IS
not ratified at the present session. the
company insists that its option shall
lapse at the time originally set-yiz.
March T.
German Syndicate
Cable dispatches OF this press associ-
alton several months ago announced the
formation in Europe OF a syndicate OF
capitalists behind which the German
government was clearly apparent. TO
furnish the capital TO complete the
Panama Canal as soon as the United
states should permit its option 10
pire The present French Panama
Canal Company would still be osten-
/ sibIy in possession No new company
would be formed and the work would
be pushed to a finish by the New Pana-
ma Canal Company Of France.
I To this the United States could raise
no valid objection, but nevertheless The
/ canal would be in the hands OF the
( enemies of the United States. and in
time OF stress would be used against
/ this country. II is the knowledge OF
this situation which makes the French
Company. on the one hand. independ-
/ emily insistent upon the literal terms
/ OF its option offered of a year and a
/ half ago and on the other hand, makes
\ President Roosevelt. Secretary Hay. and
\ Attorney General Knox so urgent in
/ their demands that the treaty with
Colombia should be Immediately rati-
! fed.
Early Action Important.
/ All the Senators with the exception Of
I Messrs- Morgan and Quay. and their
/ colleagues. Pettus and Penrose. under
I their direct influence, recognize the i'm
/ pOrtance Of early action and are ready
[ TO vote at once. In an effort TO break
+ the hlibuster they remained in session
until IL O'Clock last night. with the
/ exception OF a brief recess from to S,
! and agreed 10 meet again at IL O'Clock
/ this morning TO renew the fight
/ Up 20 the present Mr.. Morgan, who
I has occupied most OF the time has
/ scarcely touched the treaty in his dis
cussion. but has devoted his remarks 70
} extraneous matters. such as calling in
! question the validity OF the present Co
/ lombiap government. which has been rec
I ognized by all the governments OF the
/ world. including the United States How
\ long he may continue is known only TO
himself, but the probabilities are that
he and Mr.. Quay together viii again
hold the Senate in executive session