Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1903-02-20
FROM WASHINGTON.
rcorrespondence of the Alexandria Gazette.

today. Senator Morgan wants the Mica
ragua canal route adopted by this coun-
try, and is therefore fighting the ratifica-
ton of the treaty with Colombia which
provides for the building of the Panama
canal in accordance with the decision OF
a majority of the Congress. Senator
QUAY wants three new states admitted in
to the Union. Messrs. Morgan and
Quay succeeded yesterday, by dilatory
action, in keeping the Senate in execu-
tive session for more than eight hours.
Today the fight is resumed with Mr.
Morgan still occupying the floor. In
the meantime the option held by the
United States to purchase the
canal property for forty million
dollars will expire at midnight on
March Srd. If is renewed at all the
United States will be compelled to pay
a largely increased price. But the prob
abilities are that the option may not be
renewed at all and that the shortest,
cheapest. and most practicable route for
an isthmian canal, according to the re-
port of the United States Canal Com
mission, will pass into the hands OF
a foreign syndicate. A we'll authentl-
Gated report, which however the Attor-
new will not confirm, is to the effect that
the French Company, which owns the
Panama Canal, has replied to his cable
gram accepting the option, by saying
that if the United States ratifies the
pending treaty with Colombia before
March 4th the Company will wait for its
money until similar action has been
taken by the Colombian Congress. But
if the treaty is not ratified at the present
session, the Company insists that its
option shall lapse at the time org
inallv set, viz, March 4th. Cable
dispatches several months. ago an
nounced the formation i'll Europe OF a
syndicate of capitalists, behind which
the German Government was clearly APP
parent, to furnish the capital to complete
the Panama canal as soon as the United
States should permit its option to expire.
The present French Panama Canal Co.
would still be ostensibly in possession.
No new company would be formed, and
the work would be pushed to finish by
the New Panama Canal Co., of France
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 coun-
try. 1t is the knowledge of this situa-
ton which makes the French Company
on the one hand independently insistent
upon the literal terms of its option offer
ed year and 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 i'm
mediatly ratified.
For the first time in history, Secre-
tary of Commerce participated in a
Cabinet meeting today when George B..
Cartelyou took his place at the Council
board with President Roosevelt and the
older members of his official family.
Secretary Root informed the Cabinet
that orders would be issued for the re-
turn of the body of Edward Richter, the
American soldier, who died in the
Philippines, from the effects of the
water cure" alleged to have been
administered by order of Lieut. Sinclair
who was afterwards tried and acquitted
by courts-martial for the oflense. MIR.
Root said that it was inexpedient to re-
open the case.
A national reception tomorrow even
ing at the Riggs House will open
the programme of the annual convention
of the Daughters of the American Revo-
luton which begins ON Monday morn
ing and continues throughout the week.
This reception is in honor of Washing
tons birthday and an address will be
delivered by Senator-elect Hopkins Of
Illinois with additional speeches by
Others. Two sessions will be held daily
during the convention. On Monday
afternoon at O. clock dedicatory exer.
cises at the site of the new Continental
Hall of the Daughters will be held, the
Society of the Sons of the American
Revolution assisting and presenting tC
the Daughters a national flag. The
Congress will be called to order by Mrs
Cornelia G. Fairbanks, the Presiden
General of the Society. The most i'm
portant of the amendments to be con
sidered at this session is that relating tC
the Office of President General, who, by
the present form of the constitution
cannot hold office more than two sue
cessive terms. Although Mrs. DonalC
Mclean of New York will be can
didate again for President General, there
is split in the New York chapter ant
Mrs. Verplanck, the State Regent o
New York, will offer the amendmen
that would qnalify Mrs. Fairbanks TO
another term.
As the result of recent attack OF
grip. President Roosevelt is afflicted
with severe case of laryngitis. Sur
geon General Rixey, who is the Presi
dents medical adviser, yesterday called
DIR. J. J. Richardson, Washington
famous throat specialist, in consultation
According to the Presidents presen
plans, his across-the-continent tour
which it was the intention to undertake
in March, will not begin until May
As it will be one in the course of which
many speeches will be made, the Presi
dents throat must be in good condition
Before this journey, however, he vii
probably take a short hunting trip
In postponing his western trip it is be
lieved that the President has in minc
the possibility of an extra session of thu