The New York herald., 1870-04-21
The Darien ship Canal PrOJect-Dri'Asn
InferferoncO.

| great national interests OF the United States ara
concerned than the leopard bis spots or the
| e hiopian his skin. Indeed she is and has
always been very jealous of commercial rivals,
though moro particularly 80 Of this country.
History abonnds with facts to show this. The
latest example Of her jealousy apd sellshness,
according TO our Washington news, is in the
case of the Darien ship canal project The
first despatch from Washington to the New
York press intimated that the British Minister,
Mr.. Thornton, would demonstrate with our
government against the exclusive privi-
leges granted to the United States by
New Granada and the Independent ac-
ton Of this country in the matter
of a ship canal across the Isthmus of
Darien. The despatch which we publish this
morning from Washington give miIder phase
to the question Of British interference, but it
seems probable that Great Britain is about to
interpose in some way. In despatch published
yesterday this interposiion is put in mild
diplomatic style. The words are :-'It is,
nevertheless, probable that some discussion
will occur between the United States and
Great Brit lin as to the right Of the former to
make a treaty for exclusive privileges with
any Of the Central American Powers"
1t is intimated that Great Britain may claim
that, under the Clay on-Bnlwer convention Of
the 10Th of April, 1850, all projects for the
construction OF ship canal across the isthmus
which connects North and South America
should be under the control of both Powers.
That CO vention, it will be remembered, was
made with special reference to the Nicaragua
route, and provided that neither OF the Powers
should exercise exclusive control over any
canal that might be made there, and that
neither should colonze, fortify, or exercise
any exclusive dominion over Nicaragua,
Costa Rca, the Mosquito coast or any
part of Central America. It is said that
the eighth article of this convention is the one
upon which Great Britain relies particularly
for establishing her claim to an equal control
over ani participation in any canal or railway
across the isthmus connecting South and North
America That article sys the two govern
ments, "to accomplish particular object and
to establish a general principle, agree to
extend their protection by treaty stipulations
to any other practicable communications than
the Nicaragua route, whether by canal or rail-
way, across the isthmus which connects North
and South America, ald especially to the
interoceanic communications, should the same
prove to be practicable, which are now pro-
posed to he established by tie way of Tehuan-
tepec or Panama" Excluding the circumlo-
cution of diplomatic language and dct ills in
the rest Of the eighth ar ice and the conven-
ion generally, this is the gst and substance
Of the matter.
1t is question whether Darien, which po-
litically belongs to New Granada and to South
America, comes within tle meaning of the
convention, which only covers Central Ame-
rica. This might be qus tioa for great
deal of dipom tic palaver. Nor do we care to
enter into it here. II the conven ion can b.
construed to give England an equal control
over tn, work and management Of Darlen
ca nal with the United States, or 10 place her
on the sam, political or international footing
with this country in American affairs, the
sooner that convention is abrogated the b tier.
The making OF il was stupid piece Of bus.-
ness O. onr part and shows how FIR superior
British statesmen and diplomats were to our
own. IL recognized principle which we
shoud never have Acknowledged. 1t put
Great Britain, which is an European Power,
AMI which has but limited interests, compara-
lively in thus hemisphere, on a footing with
the American repablic, whch has peculiar
and far greater interests, boih political and
com mnerclal, in all the countries OF America.
More than that, the opsains Of ship
canal through Central Anerici is nec IS
slry TO conacct ths ,rn,n .rce Of one portion
of the Ulited States-tae Pacific Stlteswih il
tie othlr portion on the Alta liic side. There
wa not and ia notany co Ia iity in the condlt,ns
or interests of the two ma ions coDlec ed with
snip canal across any pat OF Celtru Ame-
rica The United States, IN accordance with
the bro I'd and liberal policy it always pur5ues
il International matters, will, of co rise, offer
every facility to England and ali oher nations
iouid ii make ship can i acr ,5s The isihmus
brt we should never admit that any OF tue
European Powers are on an equality with
this country in questions perGainiag to Ame
ricl. The Cuyt)n-B liver treaty was
buIder, therefore, and che time has come
when this great republic should shake off its
swaddling clothes an assert the policy Of
America for the Americans. II Great Britain
demurs to is, or attempts to Interfere in the
greaJ work We have comm ,nced to survey and
have made treaty with New Granada for
the cutting OF snip canal across the lsthnus
oi Daren-the government saold at once give
notice 70 aorogl.e the Clayton Duiwer convea-
ton, or any other that may stand In the way
oil this WORK or of our control over American
affairs.
1t is hard, we know, for Enlland to give up