Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-18
Ratify the Canal Treaty.

The government having closed its bargain
with the Panama Canal Company for the
purchase Of its rights and property for $40
600 COO it is now Incumbent upon the Senate
to ratify the canal treaty as quickly as pos
sible Therefore the action of the republic
can caucus yesterday agreeing to hold con-
tinuous executive sessions until vote Is
taken is to be applauded. The opposition
to the treaty appears TO be concentrated In
Senator Morgan, who fought it vigorously
in committee and is now holding the floor
practically alone. His apparent object is
the defeat of the. treaty, inasmuch as II
can not be amended without seriously
blocking the negotiations and delaying the
commencement of the work.
Senator Morgan deserved well of the
country for his gallant fight for the selec-
ton of the Nicaragua route, which many
people-perhaps a majority-belieVed 10 De
superior to the Panama. For many years,
indeed. it was his advocacy of that route
which kept the project alive in the Senate
and prevented it's total extinction by the
great corporate interests known to be OPP
posed to any canal. At last came the issue
between the two routes and Mr.. Morgan
was defeated. Many others were disap-
pointed beside himself. But they were
shape. kept the Nicaragua route alive as
possibility by providing for its selection IN
case Colombia proved obdurate or unduly
greedy When the treaty was negotiated
with Colombia only course was fairly
open to the real friends of the canal pro-
iect. advocacy of ratification at the earliest
possible moment.
Continued opposition now to the ratifica-
ton of the treaty, whatever it's motive,
however honest Its intent, however sincere
NAV be the belief that the treaty is not all
that is to be desired In some details Will
serve the interests Of the anti-canal corpo-
rations even more effectually than open
fighting by their lieutenants in and out OF
the Senate. If this treaty is defeated, or
allowed to lapse the Nicaragua route will
not be the least more likely of selection In
the end. The command OF Congress to con-
struct the canal along the Panama route,
unless Colombia demands unreasonable
terms, will still remain in force. The Presi-
dent can not turn them to Nicaragua and
Costa Rica. Colombia will have acquired
rights not thus easily to be waved aside
and nulifed. This government will still
possess the right to the Panama company's
property, and that company will have
claims, even though the bargain finally
struck yesterday Is provisional upon the
going into effect Of the treaty.
The rejection of the treaty will involve
the necessity Of reopening negotiations with
Colombia under the most unfavorable cir
cumstances, causing a long delay and de-
priving the President Of much Of his power
of alternative choice, which Is based upon
the unreasonableness of the Colombian at
titude. The amendment of the treaty will
likewise necessitate a long delay. Mere
failure to act will threaten a delay which
would justify the President in calling an
extra session Of the Senate Immediately
after March f.
There Is. therefore. nothing to be gained
for Nicaragua, for which he worked so
long, or against the antLcanal combination.
which he so ably fought SO many years, by
a continuation of Senator Morgan's oppo-
sition. He has presumably stated his case
thoroughly already. His position Is we'll
understood now. 1t is In danger, however,
of being misunderstood if he persists in
obstructive debate. '7' ''