PANAMA CANAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1063, 28 February 1911, Page 5

PANAMA CANAL.

VOTE FOR FORTIFICATION,

/ Dy Telcf raph-Prcss ABSoclallon-Copyrlght New York, February 20. ■Dy an overwhelming majority, the, United States' House of Representatives voted in favour of fortifying tho Panama Cnnnl by passing a preliminary fortifications appropriation of thrco million dollars (.MOO.OOO).

■An amendment asking the President to sccuro neutrality of tho cannl by treaty between America and the world's lending maritime Powers was proposed, but defeated.

The Republican and Democratic parties were sharply divided on. the question, nnd there was much cross-voting. Some of the speakers asserted that tho United States' imperative duty was to fortify the canal. Tho Senate is certain to adopt the proposal. A' MUCH-DEBATED QUESTION. Therq is much difference of opinion in the United States as to the advisability of fortifying the Panama Canal. • Mr. Taft is recommending fortifications at both ontrances of the canal and at intermediate points, together with naval station?. Mr. Roosevelt is an ardent supporter of fortification, and in a speech in September last said:—

"Wβ are in honour bound to fortify it ourselves, and only by so doing can we effectively guarantee that it shall not bo used against us. The chief material advantage—certainly one of the chief material advantages—which wo shall gain by its construction is the way in which it will, . for defensive purposes, double the power of the United States Navy. To rofuso to fortify it, and, abovo all, to consider for a moment such nn act .of utter weakness and folly as to invite other nations to step in and guarantee the neutrality of this purely American work (and thoroby really to niako it certain that in tho event of war wo should find tho canal used against us, as our fleets would be forbidden to pass through it, dr. else our opponents' fleets permitted to), would be to incur, and quito rightfully, tho contempt of Iho world; it would mean the complete abandonment of the Monroe Dootrinoj'it would be a wicked blow to our prestige on tho Pacific; and, moreover, it would be in its essence treason to the destiny of the republic."