25 YEARS AGO

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 69, 14 December 1933, Page 8

25 YEARS AGO

Panama Canal Purchase (From r< The Dominion,” December 14, 1908) The “New York Times,” after examining papers relating to the purchase of the Panama Canal admits that they do not reveal that any money was paid to the American syndicate. An eminent French engineer, closely connected with the revival of the Panama Canal project, states that three millions of American money was paid to the new Panama Company, and five millions to the shareholders of the old company. • • * Admiral Sir Edward Seymour (Com-mander-in-chief at Devonport, London, from 1903 to 1905). speaking at a dinner given by the Aero Club, declared that an aeroplane invasion was and less dangerous than some supposed. Besides it could easily be repelled by using a lighter form or aeroplane. Strenuous opposition to the miners’ Eight Hour Bill is being developed in the House of Commons and outside owing to fears that a reduction in the output would greatly increase the cost of coal to consumers. Labour members of the House of Commons, nominally on the ground of saving time, will not participate in the debate, and will ignore the searcing questions, Mr. Balfour, Leader of the Opposition, intends to put. • * • A report that Germany is negotiating for the purchase of the Berlenga islands, twelve miles off the coast of Portugal, has caused alarm in Lisbon. It is expected that the Government will prohibit the sale of the islands.