Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-03-09

WASHINGTON, March 8.-The following mes
sage was read by the Senate to-day:
To the Senate transmit herewith the re.
port of the secretary of state and accompany
ing papers in response to the resolution adopt
ed by the Senate the 18th of February last,
requesting copies of all correspondence be-
tween this government and any foreign
government since February, 1869, respecting
ship canal across the isthmus between North
America and South America, together with
copies of any project or treaties respecting the
same which the department of state may have
proposed and submitted since that date to any
foreign power or its diplomatic representatives.
In further compliance with the resolution of
the Senate deem it proper to state briefly my
opinion as to the policy of the United States
| with respect to the construction OF an inter
| oceanic canal by any route across the Ameri-
can isfhmas. The policy of this country
Is CANAL UNDER AMERICAN CONTROL.
The United States cannot consent to sur
| render this control to any European power, or
to any combination of European powers. If
existing treaties between the United States and
other nations, or if the rights of sovereignty or
property of other nations stand in the way of
this policy, a contingency which ia not appre-
| hended, suitable steps should be taken by just
ESTABLISH AN AMERICAN POLICY
on this subject consistent with the rights of
| the nations to be affected by it. The capital
| invested by corporations citizens of other
countries in such an enterprise m ust, in great
degree, look for protection to one or more of
| the great powers of the world. No European
power can intervene for such protection with
out adopting measures on this continent which
the United States would deem wholly inadmis-
| sible. If the protection of the United States
| is relied upon the
UNITED STATES MUST EXERCISE SUCH CONTROL
as will enable this country to protect its ma
tional interests and maintain the rights of
those whose private capital is embarked in the
| work. An inter-oceanic canal across the Amer
lean isthmus will essentially change the geo
| graphical relations between the Atlantic and
Pacific coasts of the United States, and be-
| tween the United States and the rest of the
world. 1t will be the great ocean thoroughfare
| between
| OUR ATLANTIC AND OUR PACIFIC SHORES
and virtually part of the coast line of the
United States. Our merely commercial inter
est in it is greater than that of all other coun-
tries while its relations to our power and pros
perity as q nation, to our means of defence,
and unity, peace and safety. are matters of
paramount consideration to the people of the
United States. No other great power wonld.
under similar circumstances, fail
to assert rightful control over q
work so closely and vitality affecting
its interest and welfare. Without urging
further the grounds of my opinion, repeat in
| conclusion that it is
THE RIGHT AND DUTY
Of the United States to assert and maintain
such supervision and authority over any inter
oceanic canal across the isthmus that connects
North and South America, as we'll as to pro-
tect our national interests. This, l IN quite
sure. will be found not only compatible with
but promotive of the widest and most promi-
| inent advantage to commerce and civilization.
| (Signed,) RUTHERFORD B. HAYES.
| Executive Mansion, March 8, 1850.
BRITISH THREAT.
NEW YORK, March 8.-A special London cable
has the following: The Standard this morn
| ing, referring to the United States claim for a
preponderating influence on the Panama canal,
says This pretension the British government
| is boua I'D to watch, and if necessary, to resist.
No more at Panama than at the Suez canal will
| the preponderating influence of another power
be allowed to lay hands on the trade of Eng
land