Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-20
At THE WHITE HOUSE
Attorney Cromwell Talks on
Canal Purchase.
EVERYTHING IN SHAPE
NO SERIOUS FRICTION AT ANY
TIME DURING NEGOTIATIONS.
Last Week to Elect Delegates to Chi
cago = President Has Made
No Interference.
EVERYTHING IN SHAPE

William Nelson Cromwell, the attorney
for seven years of the Panama Canal Com
pany in Its efforts to sell it's property to
the United States, called on the President
tnis morning and remained some time talk
ing with him about the satisfactory settle
ment of the whole deal. Mr. Cromwell re-
turned from Paris with Messrs. Russell
and Day, who represented the United States
In the final negotiations with the canal
company. Mr.. Cromwell was in Paris sew
eral weeks before their arrival in that city,
getting everything in shape for the event
Tor which he had worked so many years
There have been a number of stories of
friction between the Department of JUS
tfce and Mr.. Cromwell relative to the
winding up of the sale, but 1t is stated on
pretty good authority that there was never
at any time any serious friction. There
was some difference of opinion about the
United States entering into formal con-
tract for the purchase of the canal to be
submitted to the Panama stockholders for
rat1hcat1on. The Department of Justice is
said to have considered this Unnecessary
pelleving that the general proposition Of
purchase was sufficient upon which the
Panama stockholders could act
Mr.. Cromwell maintained that the holders
OF the Panama stock were wealthy, promi-
nent men who did not care to do business
|-on generalities or promises and that they
desired a formal indenture setting forth in
detail the proposition of this country. Such
an agreement, Mr.. Cromwell admitted to-
day, was signed by the representatives of
the United States, April 16, five days before
the meeting of the stockholders, and 1t was
the sale under this agreement which was
ratified by the stockholders. There was
no hitch even over this and no Ill feeling,
the representatives of the Department of
Justice merely holding that it was not nee
essary and that the stockholders could rati-
fy the general agreements already in force.
Money Paid as He Desired.
Mr.. Cromwelrs attention was called to
stories that the officials of this government
had arranged for the payment of the $i0.-
100000 through Morgan & Co. and the
bank of France to prevent the money pass
ing directly through his hands. The attor-
pey laughed and said:
IT think I know pretty well that the
story is true, inasmuch the money was
paid In exactly the manner arranged and
desired by me. saw Mr.. Morgan
and arranged his part of the matter and
also saw the officials of the Bank of France
and arranged the other end with them. The
money Is practically all in France by this
time
Mr.. Cromwell likewise laughed at a story
that he would probably not secure all of
the fee 1t Is alleged he was to have re-
ceived for his services. This fee is various
ly fixed at from s2000.00O upward, but It
Is not publicly known what 1T will be.
There is no doubt, however, that the sum
will be large, one. Mr. Cromwell. as
stated has worked on the case for seven
years.
ragua people half dozen times within
seven years" said Mr.. Cromwell. land
thought all my efforts had been in vain,
but | kept at the work feeling that / was
not only doing my duty by my clients but
patriotically serving the United States. l
have worked for Panama when l had al
most no hope. / can say. truthfully that
think this country has done wise thing.
The purchase and construction of the canal
will Immensely influence the future of the
United States. The effect abroad has been
to greatly strengthen our nation with the
people of other countries. We have been
raised in dignity and esteem much above
during my last trip to Paris. and l felt
proud that my country was growing SO fast
in the esteem of foreigners
In connection with the Panama canal 1t
Is understood that representatives of the
Panama government are about to sail from
Panama for this country, and that they VIII
reach here next Wednesday, to secure from
Secretary Shaw the 100000 of the $lO,-
COO OOO authorized by Congress to be paid
to Panama for concessions obtained from
that country.
Panama on a Gold Basis.
receive the money will. it is understood,
talk with treasury and other government
officials about placing Panama on a gold
basis with a financial system something
like that of the United States. Owing to
the fact that this country will spend mil
lions of dollars on the isthmus, and that
this money will be the largest part of that
in circulation there, the suggestion has
been made that Panama adopt the coinage
system of this country, in both gold and
silver This would put Panama on gold
basis With the $9O00,OOO to be secured
from this country Panama couio eslapiisn
a large gold reserve and would at once as
sumo commanding position in financial
way in South and Central America 1t 10
probable that the Panama commission will
discuss the financial end of affairs for some
time before arriving at a conclusion. The
first payment of 81 100000 to Panama was
made through j. p Morgan & Co. several
weeks ago.
Last Week to Elect Delegates.
Under the call of the republican national
committee this is the last week in which
conventions for the selection of delegates
to the Chicago convention may be held.
The call requires that all delegates to that
convention shall be elected at least thirty
days prior to the meeting of the conven-
ton. Fourteen state conventions nave
been or are being held this week. This Is
the largest number of conventions heid IN
any one week since the call Of the commit
tee was issued. All of the conventions.
state and district. for the election OF ma
tional delegates, will have been held by
Saturday night.
Returns received thus far at the White
House indicate that of the 9SS delegates to
the Chicago convention 926 were elected
up to Thursday evening. sixty-two yet re-
manning either to be elected or reported
upon. Some of these have been elected
but the returns have not been received. OF
the number elected 706 have been instructed
absolutely for President Roosevelt. ma
jority of the remainder have indicated their
intention to support the President, al
though for various reasons they were left
uninstructed. It is regarded as certain
now that the nomination of the President
win be unanimous and very likely by ac-
clamation
The sixty-two delegates upon whom no
returns have been received will represent
scattering districts In many states. Final
returns are expected from these districts In
a few days All contests that may have de-
veloped must be filed with the national
committee at least twenty days before the
meeting Of the national convention. To
settle such contests and ia transact such
other business a may he uecesaarx fha