New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-01-31
INTEROCEANIC QUESTIONS.

There is profound peace between the United
States and every foreign nation. Yet 1t seems
to Senator Bayard, and to some other men OF
no mean ability, that this country may at no
distant day be involved in foreign war. Our
relations with Great Britain, though in some
degree embarrassed by the controversy as to
the fisheries, are on the whole peaceful. and
promise to remain peaceful Our relations
with Mexico, notwithstanding the inability of
that Republic to restrain its own subjects and
marauders within its borders; are as satisiac-
tory as can be expected. There is no reason
able probability of armed resistance by Mex
leo to any claims which the United States is
likely to make Indeed, no one expects that
q foreign war can arise, except in connection
with the construction of the lnterOceanic Canal
across the Isthmus of Darien.
This project has recently assumed greater
importance III public opinion than ever before.
The effort of NJ. de Lesseps to secure control
for an organization practically French in
management, and under protection OF the
French Government, both of ship canal
across the Isthmus and of TIE Panama Rail-
road-a United States cOrpOration-has not
unDatulraly aroused some feeling. 1t is ques-
toned, indeed. whether, irrespective of any in
terest which the United States may have in
the transportation by ships across the 18th
mus, it can rightly permit the control of
corporation, organized within the United
States and embracing among its shareholders
citizens of the United States, to pass
into the hands of another corporation
protected by the French Government. In
military point of view, it cannot be said that
the Panama Railroad is in any respect essen
tial to the United States. In case of war with
any foreign power, or IN case of any domestic
difficulty, communication between different
parts of this country. or between this and
other countries. would hardly be had
by means of this line of railroad. But
American citizens have, with consent OF their
Government, established business interests in
the construction and ownership of the rail-
road. and it is reasoned with great force that
the Government ought to retain in it's own
hands exclusive power either TO protect them
against injury or to enforce against them
the rightful claims of any other citizens of the
United States.
Behind this not unimpo1tant point, however,
there is another OF greater consequence. 1t is
felt that if the old Monroe Doctrine ever had
force, OF tOulu tNCI huQ AtdotbhbiC otcdhoioh
for practical enforcement. it should now be
seriously considered whether control of
the isthnius and of the commerce between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans should be left
to any foreign power. 1t Is true the French
Company which M. de Lesseps has organized
gives assurance that it will not use its OPP
portunities to the disadvantage OF this cOun
try. Plainly, it would not be to the personal
interest of the fnanciers engaged in such al
enterprise to quarrel with the United States.
liz is true, also, that whether a ship canal be
built by French, English German capital,
it will be so completely within the reach and
easy control of the United States in case of
any war, that its seizure and occupation by
foreign power would become practically i'm
possible. Nevertheless, it is better unques-
tionably for the United States to assert in
advance whatever rights it would feel in
clined to assert in case OF war. Controversy
with foreign nations can be averted only by
making it clear what rights the United States
CLAIMS, and by preventing the establishment
of any organization under which those rights
would be likely to be disputed.
Senator Gordon has introduced in the SEN
ate n resolution for the management OF the
Nicaragua InterOceanic Canal, and in connec-
ton with that enterprise Senator Burnside has
introduced resolution affirming the position
of the United States in respect to the Monroe
Doctrine. Whether it be held that these reso-
Iutions are in all respects excellent in form,
il must be admitted that the subject deserves
the S,i)Is ,tssa5JI o Congress and of
the country. 1t would be far better to deter
mine now in time of peace, before great mate
rial interests have become enlisted on either
side, what the policy of the United States in
respect to such a work is to be- than to leave
that question to be settled hereafter when
powerful corporations guaranteed by different
governments, may meet in rivalry the 18TH
mus, each asserting its rights, and claiming
the protection of its government.