The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-10-19
SENATOR MORGAN SAYS
 THERE'S NO EXCUSE FOR II
1t Is Rumored That Action is Being Held Up Until After Ohio Cam paien Co As Not to Hurt
 Senator Hanna.
BY wATTERsoN sTEALEY.


 Washington, October 1S.-(Special)- That the advocates of the Nicaragua canal will demand an explanation from the administration of the Tresent status of the inter-o oceanic canal matter and also seek to ascertain why the terms of the Spooner act with reference to the be- ginning of negotiations for the construc- tion of the canal through the Nicaragua route have not been compiled with is now apparent.
 Probably as soon as congress meets in extra session resolutions will be intro- duced in both bodies of congress calling upon the President to transmit all in- formation in his possession regarding the negotiations between the United States and Colombia. It may be that the Pres- dent will declare the publication of this information incompatible with the pub lie service" but the Nicaragua advo- cates believe that they will be able to force the administration to take a step which will either reopen negotiations with Colombia and thus demonstrate the futility of further dealings with the Fam anna people or else take a step through diplomatic relations with Nicaragua and Costa Rica which will lead to the con- struction of the canal through that route. interesting Rumor.
 Not the least interesting rumor going the rounds during the past week with re- lation to the inexpiicable tenacity with which the President clings to the Pan anna scheme Is it's possible connection with the Ohio political campaign The Presi- dent, 1t Is known, was largely influenced toward the Parama route through the arguments of Senator Hanna of Ohio. whose support the President realizes is a very important factor towards his elec-l ton. The result of the negotiations with Colombia is at complete variance with the claims of Senator Hanna, made ir the senate. The Ohio senator has received l severe fall down in the canal matter His roseate predictions as to the facility and success with which this government would deal with Colombia have not been borne out by events and the story Is that the senator does not wish his complete failure officially recognized by the admin istration until the election is over in Ohio. Even before the Ohio legislatures Senator Hanna's platform must get along without the "busness man" plank There fore, the President at the request of the Ohio senator and the great influential in- terests he represents Is very reluctant to admit that negotiations for the construc- ton of the Panama canal have ended in failure
 Morgan is Not Talking
 Senator Morgan. who Is in Washington, prepared to remain through the next session and continue to lead the fight for the construction of the Nicaragua canal. declines to discuss the plan of campaign he contemplates. The Senator will noA admit that resolutions of Inquiry are to be introduced though there Is no doubt that such is the present intention of tbe Nicaragua supporters 4.e aIea
 "'rhe attitude of the government of Colombia" he said seems to be abso lutely disdainful I had a talk withl Secretary Hay yesterday and he informed me that he had no official advices from [ Colombia. Such a situation Is remark able. If the government of GFeat Britain or that of France GermamHtor Russia had treated the government of the United States In the manner in which Colombia had done 1t would almostt given room for casus belli. colombias & treat1s ment is simply contemptuous. sdi bns
 lt"s Up to the President. sq7os
 'I do not know anything about the Presidents disposition on the subject HTn gather his views. however, from hscac-1 ton or rather his lack of action in the4 matter What can he do? Colombia has closed down on us, abruptly, yet tho President appears to be reaching out for some will O the wsp. It appears to meV that nothing tangible in the future exists as far as Colombia is concerned. It IS admitted on all hands officially and un- officially that negotiations with Colombia on the subject are closed and that any effort to renew them must be an original proceeding If Colombia has any propo- sition to make she must come forward. It is very clear that the United States can make no proposition.
 The facts in the case are a matter of history. The President negotiated treaty and the senate after a prolonged r debate ratified it. It was sent to Colom- bia to get the concurrence of the congress of that republic, and we waited until congress was called there for that pur- pose. The treaty was not acted upon in the Colombian congress upon its merits---- it was simply disapproved, and the door was shut upon it. Every member of the senate of Colombia voted for It's defeat After such proceedings can the President assume any grounds in favor of a MN0 treaty? What step can he possibly tgiRT9 In my candid opinion he cannot take any. He must wait until Colombia proposes Judging from his attitude he appears rtpx be In the same predcament as our fffehH Macawber-w waiting for something toatunfT up without the faintest knowledge or instinct to what that something Is to-, b" No sx,,,.. ,o. ,.,,v bliho'
 do not believe that there is the flight
 egitimste excuse for the PresidAt to
 i The lsthmian canal proposition
 been before the country for fifty
 After half a century of general
 fContinued on Second Paoel