Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-07
THE |STHM|AN CANAL
Delay in Beginning Construc-
tion Apprehended.
TREATY WITH PANAMA
RATIFICATION WOULD REQUIRE
TWo-THIRDs VOTE.
Views of Many Members Of the Senate
and House as to Prospects Of
the Waterway.


Panama may terminate. 1t is conceded by
many senator's and representatives that
considerable delay is likely to follow In be-
ginning the construction of the canal there
or anywhere else. This feeling is so strong
that those who do not favor any canal are
just now feeling very comfortable.
1t is thoroughly understood that Presi-
dent Roosevelt is inclined to have a canal
at Panama. At the same time men who
know his purposes best declare that he has
been strongly in favor of beginning
work on some canal to connect the two
oceans that he would not hesitate to
abandon the project at Panama at any
time he thought it would be hopeless TO
await longer a favorable outcome of the
negotiations for that property.
They are confident that his disposition
has been not to countenance continuance
OF delay.
But now that the department of Panama
has declared Its independence the entife
situation has changed in "A way to anecs
the provision of the Spooner bill. providing
that the President should allow reason
able time in which to secure the Panama
canal property, and falling in that shoulu
turn to Nicaragua for concession. Act
ing strictly under that authorization the
friends of the Nicaragua canal think the
President should proceed al once to acq lire
the right to build canal at Nicaragua
Change in the SITUATION
Rut other counsels declare that the
events of the past few days entirely change
the ASPECT of the question of what a 'rea-
sonable time means. reasonable ume
under ordinary circumstances, they declare,
has terminated and with Colombia to deal
with no more time, in view of the congress
sional authorization, should be allowed IN
order TO secure the Panama route. Inc
course of the President would be 10 TURN
to Nicaragua at once. But WIN the ihue
pendence of Panama established they say
the President is confronted Will an eii'iS'S
different question.
The power of the administration 10 secuLe
the Panama route through Colonpa nas ,a
been exhausted. Every one had practicaIIy ILl
ceased to hope for any favorable outcome
from further negotiations. With the soNer-
e.gnty of that route in the possession OF .ie
republc of Panama the case Is enlreiy o'i
ferent.
Sentiment on the Isthmus.
The sentiment of the people of Panama,
backed by their personal interests In 'he
announcement of the work in their midst
is all one way. They all want the CANAL
They are believed to be more than reaay
to make an arrangement with the ohiteu
States for its construction. Whereas the
interests of other parts of Colombia relate
almost entirely to what can be optalheo
from this country and from the canai coIh-
pany compensation lot tile CdHdi. ~"
interest in the project on the part OF me
people of the lsthmuS OIL PANAMA ~ III 'iio
work of construction.
Their property and their various activi-
ties. which have suffered heavily, form their
chief interest in the work. 1t is the beneht
they will derive from having $15o,c0o0oo
among them in the next few years. This
great prospect makes them more than ready
to have the canal built and they will want
it begun soon as possible
Legislation Regarded as Necessary
Although it may seem easy to effect an
agreement with the new republic of Pam
ANA it is contended by many that can be
done only after further congressional legis-
lation The Spooner bill provided specif-
cally for the purchase of rights from Co
lombia Under that law the canal could
not, it is contended, be secured from the
new government at Panama.
Before legislation can be obtained for
that purpose another debate will be had,
and as the national campaign is in the
near future it is generally believed that a
large part of the democrats will make
what apital they can of the Presidents
action in promptly recognizing the new
government at Panama.
If a new treaty with Panama is offered
to the Senate it must, of course, have the
vote of two-thirds of the senators for rati-
fication. Just what the view of the minor
ity on this subject will be cannot now be
determined.
Democrats and republicans alike at this
time hesitate saying anything about the
developments at Panama. They declare
that they want more information before
forming an opinion.