The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-18
The Government Saw the Pana-
ma Canal Slipping Away.
Renewed Its Grip by Procuring
Extension of Time.
SENATE TAKES ACTION.
VIII Be Considered in
Executive Session.
Only Way Left to Stave Of Vote
on Statehood.

Washington, Feb. zs.-The govern
ment has formally accepted the offer of
the Panama Canal company to sell to
the United States the canal property
and all of the companys rights therein
for $40, ,000, 900 subject only to the ratifi-
cation of the pending treaty with the
republic of Colombia. The effect OF this
acceptance will be to extend the life OF
the option held by the government be-
yond March I next and until the treaty
now before the senate has been ratified
by both countries IN interest. Following
is the text of the cablegram sent to the
company's president at Paris by Attor-
ney General Knox;
BY direction of the president of the
United States L have the honor to say
that the offer of the new Panama Ca
nal company. as contained in your tele-
gram of January O. and II, 1902, through
Admiral Walker, TO sell the property
and rights of The company of the IS
thmus of Panama and in Paris, to which
offer M. Gautron. liquidator of the Uni
versal Interoceanic Panama Canal COM
pany assented, with the approval of the
civil tribunal of the Zine is hereby ac-
cepted subject TO modification of articles
q and p of the concessionary contract
by the ratification by both countries and
treaty concerning the Panama canal be-
tween the United States and Colombia
now signed and awaiting ratification.
The president desires that the proceed
lngS necessary to the transfer of the til
tie and possession of the property be
forwarded as much as possible to the
end that when the pending treaty is
ratified and goes into effect nothing will
remain to be done but TO consummate
the transaction by the delivery of pos
Il session and the payment of consldera-
ton"
The Republican senators held a eau
Gus and decided to have the senate con-
tinue considera ton of the Panama canal
treaty tomorrow and on future days un-
til the treaty shall be disposed of. This
result was reached after an hour and
half's discussion Of the legislative situa-
ton in the senate, The conclusion
reached was unanimous.
The understanding IS that the state
hood bill does not lose its advantageous
position in the order of business when
the senate is in legislative session. The
Republican supporters of the statehood
bill agree not to antagonize a motion
for an executive session to consider the
canal treaty, nor to make any objection
to the prolongation of such session to
ton.
The caucus was opened by state
nent by Senator Allison, chairman of
the steering committee, giving it as the
conclusion of the committee that the
Panama canal treaty should be rati-
fed before adjournment of the present
session. He added that the steering
committee. being responsible for the
order of business, should be followed
when it makes a suggestion as to the
order in which questions should come
before the senate.
Senator Cullonl, chairman of the
committee on foreign relations. pre-
sented a motion declaring it to be in
the sense of the caucus that the senate
should go into executive session Feb
ruary Is, Immediately after the con-
elusion of the morning business, to
ratify the Panama canal treaty" In a
brief speech he dWelt on the fact that
the option of the United States on the
rights and franchises of the Panama
/ canal treaty expires on the 4th day of
/ next March. He said that other inter-
/ 1sts and other nations might desire to
control so important an enterprise, so
that it was altogether possible that we
would not be able to renew the option
/ at 50 low a figure as S4O,000.OOO the
price which this country has agreed to
pay in case the bargain is cOnsum-
mated As only two weeks of the ses-
sion remain and there was determined,
though limited, opposition TO the treaty,
1t was absolutely necessary that no
further time should be lost in getting
down to serious work on the treaty.
Several friends of the statehood bill in
speeches expressed the opinion that the
chief purpose of the motion was to side
1eAf7N--
/ on this apprehension We're made by
Senators Quay. Elkins. Gallinger and
Foraker They expressed their adher
ence to the treaty and said they agreed
fully with all that had been said as to
the necessity for its early ratification
but thought that the proper way 10
reach a vote was first to take vote OF
the statehood bill by pursuing that
! course said Senator Quay. you can
get the only obstacle to consideration OF
the treaty out of the way and get it out
/ of the way by legitimate means" He
called attention to the Drolongatlon Of
the debate. which, he said. all knew was
far beyond the necessities, and urged
that a day should be granted for a vote
on the statehood proposition
All supporters of statehood spoke in
the same strain, charging determined
opposition to the expression of the viii
Of the majority and dissenting from the
opinion expressed by Senator Allison
that the steering committee should de-
terraine the order of business. They also
united in their opposition to considering
Senator Culloms s PROPOSITION as mo-
ton Republican caucuses in the senate.
thev said. always are in the nature of
conferences and are not necessarily
binding except as Republican senators
may consider themselves under obliga-
ton to follow the ma iority Of their
partv. They were emphatic on this
point some Of them going to the extent
of declaring that they would not be
bound if the question should be pressed
to a vote. Replies were made by Sen
ators Hoar. Hanna. Lodge, Aldrich ana
=, others. and much stress was laid on th-
necessity Of securing the ratification Of
the treaty and on the fact that there
was no intention to disDlace the state
hood bill as the unfinished legisIa tive
business. Senator HOar made an argu-
nent to prove that the executive bust
ness of TIE senate occupies a different
place from legisla tive business and that
courtesy toward other nations demands
that treaties should have preferential
/ consideration at the hands of the SEN