Arizona republican., 1903-03-14

Washington. March 13.-When the senate went into executive session to- day Senator Morgan entered on dis cussion of Attorney General Knoxs opinion as to the validity of the title of the Panama canal property which can be given by the new Panama Canal company. This opinion he attacked as defective in some points, especially in the failure to deal with the jurisdiction of the French courts which have passed upon the canal company's title.
 He charged that the French courts had overstepped their legitimate au thoIity in assuming to dispose of the property of Colombia without reference to the rights retained by Colombia and the limitations and restrictions imposed by the Colombian government on its agent, the International Interoceanic Canal associa ton. He cCntended that as Colombia had never really parted with the canal zone, and as that coun- try guaranteed an annual income of $250,0OG for the proposed canal, that country was the ultimate sole bene ficiary of the enterprise and the con- cessionary company the temporary re- cipient of the tolls of the canal for its compensation or indemnity
 He claimed, therefore, that the de- cree of the French court authorizing the sale to the United States was void, because of the invasion of the rights of Colombia. He also contended that the French legislation attempting to invalidate the acts of the French courts was clearly without authority as docu- ments of the court.
 Then he asserted that If Colombia had become or shall become a party c0nsenting to all these proceedings, or if she is not such party she is bound for every bond issued by the old Pan anna Canal company, for all other debts that the company contracted for ma- terial furnished or for work done for the commission
 Taking up the question of the re- sponsibility of the United States in the matter of these debts, MT. Morga n said: ''The matter that is of deepest concern to the honor of the United States is that every stockholder in the old company is bound to the creditors of that company by mutual, express agreement for a sum equal to the face
 
 payment of those debts.''
 Discussing the efforts of the Panama Canal company to secure an extension of it's concession, Senator Morgan said this was accomplished in 1900 for the purpose of unloading the enterprise on the United States This company" he said. bought from the president of Colombia for five million francs French coin, to be paid in Paris, a prolonga- ton of the extension for six years from October 21, 1904. This proposed agree ment was laid before the congress Of Colombia and was rejected. The con- stitution and laws of Colombia required that such contracts should be confirmel l by congress. but the president Of Co., lombia, in violation of both the laws and constitution. signed the contract and received s1,OOO.OOO in gold from the new Panama Canal company. The house of representatives thereupon voted that the office of the president of Colombia was vacant and dissolved '
 When MT. Morgan had concluded Mr. Spooner took the floor, but did not pro- ceed. He said, however, that he desired to go on tomorrow. Then it was sug- gested that as a general agreement for vote next Tuesday included the print