New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-07-06
The Fran, the Oregon and
Perry's Flagship All Talked
Of for Panama Honor.
BALBOA VESSEL FAVORED
Spain May Make a Replica OF
the Ship in Which the Dis
covery of the Pacific
Ocean Was Made.
[From The Tribune Bureau

Washington, July 5.-The suggestion
that a Spanish ship head the procession
which is TO pass through the Panama
Canal when the great waterway is
opened a year and half hence has at
tracted much attention and is being
taken up officially. The Secretary or
War will shortly present the matter to
Colonel Cocktails. chief engineer OF the
canal. and ask for his opinion as to the
feasibility Of the plan.
There has already been unofficial dis
cussion of the matter. even during the
last administra ton, when IL was infor-
mally presented TO President Taft and
several members OF his Cabinet None
of them could see any objection TO the
plan, and, in fact thought that II would
be an excellent thing to do.
An attractive detail OF the informal
discussion that is going on is a sugges-
ton that the first ship through the canal
al the formal opening should be a replica
OF the vessel that brought Balboa 10 the
Western Hemisphere on the voyage
which led 10 the discovery Of the Pacific
Ocean 1t is not known whether the
plans and details OF this' vessel are
available in Spain, but II they are II is
believed that II replica could be made
and brought to this side. as were the
replicas OF CoIumbus's ships for the Chi
cago exposition.
John Barrett, director general OF the
Pan-American Union. when approached
on the subject gave the idea hearty ap-
prevail.
1T would be-" he said, "a splendid
ard beautiful thing. would give II most
emphatic support. For the first vessel 20
pass through the canal TO be a Spanish
ship would be IA fine compliment 10 all
that the Spanish people di: and a tribute
TO our Latin-American neighbors. heard
OF the idea some months ago, and have
discussed II with a number OF persons,
including people In Cuba and In Panama.
! found no one who had objections 10 Of
fer IL would be very pleasing II the
i0ea were carried out. and | am sure II
would prove beneficial I'm strengthening
the relations between this country and
Latin America"
There have been numerous other sug-
Bestions concerning the first vessel to go
through the canal One OF these was that
the honor should go TO the Fran. the ship
Of Captain Amundsen, who discovered the
South Pole. There is one report that
Colonel Cocktails is in favor OF this
scheme.
Another idea is that the battleship Ore
gon be given the honor, while still another
suggestion is that the Niagara. flagship
OF Admiral Perry, should be the ship.
Those interested I'm having the honor go
10 Spain can see no particular reason for
the selection OF any of these three ships
for such a signal honor, while there Is
splendid reason for inviting Spain to fur
nish a vessel.
While IL is considered an early date for
discussion OF the matter the opening
being year and a half off, IL is pointed
out that II Spain should desire 10 send n
replica of Balboa's ship there is not much
more than enough time to make proper
preparations.
II is unlikely that the administration
will give serious consideration TO the mat
ter until Colonel Goethals is heard from.
His say I'm the matter is not final, OF
course. but Secretary Garrison does not
care 10 dispose OF such a matter without
consultation with the chief engineer.