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Show ; PRESIDENT TAKES HOPEFUL VIEW OF THINGS WASHINGTON, Feb: 23. Discussion of the 1 Panama canal situation con- sumed a large portion of the time of the "Cabinet at yesterday's meeting:. Just prior to the meeting Attorney-Gerieral :' Knox Had a conference with Attorney Cromwell, who represents the Panama Canal company in this country,- The details of the conference were not disclosed. dis-closed. The matter was brought to the Cabinet's attenton by Mr, Knox. It is understood a reply has been received, through Mr. CromwelL to the communication communi-cation recently made" to the Panama Canal company by the Attorney-Gen eral, but it is understood also that the reply is only such as to keep alive the negotiations now pending with respect j to the option this Government holds on the canal company's property. The subject sub-ject was discussed thoroughly by the Cabinet, but at the conclusion of the meeting It was stated that no lnforma- tlon could be made public at this time regarding the negotiations. Some apprehension was expressed lest the two important treaties now pending in the Senate might not be ratified at the present, owing to the tangle In the Senate, but the information received yesterday by the President makes him more hopeful of a solution of the entire legislative problem now confronting the Senate. It was announced at the meeting that an agreement or convention had been concluded with .Cuba providing for United States coaling stations on the Island. The Western trip to be taken by the President next spring was alluded to briefly. . The President desires )that some of the members of the Cabinet accompany him. but who wilt go has not been determined. No definite arrangements ar-rangements will be made until after the adjournment of Congress. The 20th of March has been fixed as the time of beginning the trip, but the time will depend entirely upon the President's official engagements." " ' - |