The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-12-16
CLAYToN-BULWER TREATY.
Secretary Blaine's Instructions to
Mr.. Lowell.
REASONS WHY THE TREATY SHOULD
BE MODIFIED.
Control Of the Isthmus Canal Insisted
Upon.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-The following in
structions from Secretary Blaine in reference
to the modification OF the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty were sent to the Senate to-day by the
President in answer to resolution OF that body:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, Nov. 10, 1881.
James Russell Lo1ceH, DC, London.
Sir-In pursuance of the premises laid down
in my circular note of June oath OF this year
touching the determination of this Government
with respect to the guarantee of neutrality for
the interoceanic canal at Panama it becomes
nv duty TO call your attention TO the conven-
ton of April 49, 1850, between Great Britain
and the United States, commonly known as the
Clayto Bulwer treaty. According to the arti-
Giles of that convention the high contracting
parties, in referring to the interoceanic canal
through Nicaragua, agreed That neither the
one nor the other will ever obtain or maintain
for itself any exclusive control over said SHIP
canal and that neither will ever erect or main
tain any forti6cation commanding the same or
in the vicinity thereof" In concluding par
agraph the high contracting parties agreed
"To extend their protection by treaty stipua-
lions to any other practical communications,
whether by cana, or railway, across the 18TH
mus which are now proposed to he established
by the way of Tehautepec or Panama" This
convention was made more than thirty years
ago under exceptional and extraordinary con-
QltlOnS winch nave long 6iuCo C6dScu W o&lSps
conditions which at best we're temporary in
their nature, and which can never be repro
duced. The remarkable development OF the
United States on the Pacific coast since that
time has created new duties Tor this Govern
ment and devoved lnew responsibilities upon
it, the full and complete discharge Of which
requires some essential notifications IN tne
Clay ton- Bulwer treaty. * Nss
The interests of her majestys Government
involved IN this question, in so far as they may
.al tha pho rvofi ion n
friendly power, are so inconsiderable IN COM
parison with those of the United States that
the President hopes readlustment OF the
terms of the treaty may be reached in spirit
of amity and concord.
Respect TO her majestys government de-
mands that the objections to the perpetuity oil
the convention of 1850 as it now exists
should be stated with directness and with en-
tire frankness, and among the most salient ana
palpable of these is the fact that the operation
of the treaty practically comedies to Great
Britain the control of whatever canal may Do
constructed. The insular position OF the home
government with its extended colonial possess
sions eauires the British Empire TO maintain
a vast naval establishment which in our contl-
mental solidty we do not need and in time OF
peace shall never create If the United states
binds itself not 10 foitify on land 1t comedies
that Great Britain, in the possible case OF a
struggle for the control of the canal shall at
the outset have an advantage which would
proye decisive and which could not be reversed
except by the expenditure OF treasure and
force. The presumptive intention OF the treaty
was to place the two powers on plane OF per-
feet equality with respect to the canal, ouL In
practice, as I have indicated, this would prove
utterlydelusive and ould instead surrender 1t,
| if not in form yet in effect, to the control OF
Great Britain.
The treaty binds the United States not to use
it's military force in any precautionary measure
while it leaves the naval power Of Great BRAIN
rfa u fraa and unrpstrainal. ready at any
moment of need to seize both ends OF the canal
and 10 render its military occupation on land
matter entirely within the discretion OF her ma.
| jesty's government The military power OF
recent civil war is without limit, and in any
| conflict on the American continent
| altogether irresistible. The Clayton-Buiwer
treaty commands the gov eminent not to use
single regiment OF troops to protect It's interest
in conueclion with the ineroce anlc canal oat 10
| surrender he transit to the guaidianshipapd
| conrol of the British navy. Ii no American
| soldier is TO be quarteIed on the lstnmus 10
protect the rights of his country in the ineroc-
eanic canal surely by the fair logic OF neutrai-
ity no war vessel of Great Britain should be per-
mltted to appear in The waters that control
| either entrance to the canal.
! A more comprehensive objection to the treaty
| is urged ~ this government. It's provisions
| embody a misconception OF the relative posi-
| tious of Great Britain and the United States
| with respect to the interests of each govern
ment in questions pertaining to this continent
| The government OF the United States has no
| occasion to disavow an aggressive dlspoSlton.
| Its entire policy establishes IT'S pacinc cnarac-
| ter and among its chief aims is to cultivate the
| most friendly and intimate relations with Its
| neighbors, both independent and colonial. AT
| the same time this government with respect to
| European states will not consent TO perpetuate
any treaty that impeaches our rlghtiui ana
| long established claim IL priority on the Amer
| lean continent. The United States seeks TO
| use only for the defence of its own interests
| the forecast and provision which her males
tvs government so energetically employs IN
| defense of the interests of the British Empire
| to guard her eastern possessions to secure the
| most rapid transit for troops and munitions
| of war and to prevent any other nation having
| equal facilities in the same direction. Great
| Britain holds and fortIfies all the strategic
points that control the route TO India,a Glbral-
| tar, at Malta at Cyprus Her fortitications give
| her the mastery of the Mediterranean. She
| hold a controlling interest in the SueZ canal
| and by her Notifications at Alden and on fne
| island of Perrin she excludes all other powers
| from the Red Sea and renders it mare ctGuSana.
| 1t would in the Judgment of the President be
| no more unreasonable for the United States to
| demand share in these Notifications Or to
| demand their absolute naturalization than Tor
| England to make the same demand IN perpetu-
| ity from the United States with respect TO the
| transit across the American continent. The
| possessions which Great Britain carefully
| guards in the East are not of more Importance
| to her than is the Pacific slope with its present
| development and assured growth TO the gov,
| ernment of the United States. The States ana
| Territories appurtenant to the Pacific ocean
| and dependent upon it sfor commercial outlet
and hence directly interested in the canal COM
| prise an area of nearly 100000 square miles
| larger in extent than the German empire and
Ethe four Latin countries of Europe combined.
| This vast region is but fairly beginning Its
| prosperous development. Six thousand miles
| of railway are already constructed within It's
| limits and it is a moderate calculation to-day
| that within the current decade the number OF
| miles will at least be doubled. In the near
| future the money value of its surplus for OK
| port will be as large as that of the British In
| dies, and perhaps larger. Nor must It
be forgotten that India p. is but t,h;, a
! the region on the Pacific is an integral portion
| of our national union and of the very form and
body of our State. The inhabitants OF 1npia
| are alien from England in race language and
| religion. The cltizens of California, oregon
and Nevada with the adjacent territories are
| of our own blood and kindred, bone OF our bone
| and flesh of our flesh. Great Britain appreci-
| ates the advantage and perhaps the necessity
| of maintaining at the cost OF large military
| and naval establishment, the interior and near
est route to India while any nation with hos
| tile intent is compelled to take the longer route
| and travel many thousand additional miles
| through dangerous seas. 1t is hardly conceiy-
BILE that the same great power winch conSioorS
| herself justified in taking these precautions TOR
| the safety of remote colony on another con-
| tnent should object TO the United States adopt
| ing similar, but far less demonsJrative meas
ures, for the protection of the distant shores OF
| her own domain, Tor the drawing together OF
| the extremes OF the Union in still closer bands
! OF interest and sympathy, and for holding IN
| the quiet determination of an honorable self
| defense the absolute control of the great water
| way which shall unite the two oceans, and
| which the United States will always insist upon
treating as part of her coast line.
| II hostile movement should at any time
be made against the Pacific coast, threatening
danger to It's people, and destruction to its pro-
psrty, the government Of the United States
| would feel that il had been unfaithful to its
duly and neglectful towards its own citizens If
| it permitted itself to be bound by a treaty
| which gave The same right through the canal
| to warship sent on an errand of destruction
| that is reserved TO it's own navy sailing for the
| defense OF our coast and the protection of the
| lives of our people; and as England insists by
| the might of her power that her enemies 10
war shall strike her Indian possessions only by
| doubling the Cape of Good Hope SO the
| governme mt of the United States will equally
| insist that the interior, more speedy and safer
| route of the canal shall be reserved for our
| selves " lille our enemies, if we shall ever be
SO unfoI tunate as to have any, shall be re-
| ~ nd No