Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-16
Claytol-BQlVer Treaty.
Blaine's Instructions to Min
lister Lowell.
On the Panama Canal
Question.
WASHINGTON. Dec. u.

WASHINGTON. Dec. Il.
The following instructions from Secretary
Blaine in reference to the modification of the
Clayton Bulwer treaty, was sent to the Sen
ate, today, by the President in answer to a
resolution of that body
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Nov. 49,, 1881.
To James Russell Lowell, Esq, 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 a guarantee of
neutrality for the inter-0ceanic canal at Pan
anna, it becomes my duty to call your atten-
ton to the convention of April of 1850, be-
tween Great Britain and the United States.
commonly known as the Clayton Bulwer
treaty
According to the articles Of that con-
ventiOn, the high contracting parties in re-
ferring to the inter-Oceanic canal through
Nicaragua. agreed, THAT neither the one nor
the other will ever obtain or maintain for it.
self. any exclusive control over said ship
canal, and that neither will ever erect or
maintain any fertilization commanding the
same, or in the vicinity thereof"
In the concluding paragraph the high con-
tracing parties agreed ''To extend their pro-
lection by treaty stipuations, to any other
practical communication, whether by canal
or railway, across the Isthmus, which are
now proposed to be established bv the way
of Teuantepec or Panama.
This convention was made more than 80
years ago, under exceptional and. extraordi-
nary conditions, which have lsng since
ceased to exist; conditions which at best were
temporary in their nature, and which can
never be reproduced. The remarkable de-
velopment of the United States on the Pa
cific coast since that time, has created new
duties for this government, and devOlved
new responsibilities upon it. The full and
complete discharge of which requires some
essential modification in the Clayton Bulwer
treaty. The interests of Her Majesty's gov
eminent involved in this question, in so far
as they may be properly judged by the OBJ
servation of a friendly power, are so incon-
siderable in comparison with those of the
United States, that the President hopes a re-
adjustment of the terms Of the treaty may
be reached in spirit of amity and perfect
concord.
The respect to Her Majesty's government
demands that the objections to the perpet-
uity ofthe convention of 1850, as it now rests,
should be stated with distinctness and with
entire frankness, and among the most salient
and palpabe Of these, is the fact that the
operations of the treaty practically comedies
to Great Britain the control of whatever
canal may be constructed
The insular portion of the home govern
ment, with its extended colonial possessions,
requires the British empire to maintain a
vast naval establishment. which, in our con-
tinetal sOiditv we do not need, and in time of
peace shall never create. If the United
States thinks itself not to fortify on land it
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 prove decisive and which could not
be reversed, except by the expenditure of
treasure and force. The presumptive inten-
ton of the treaty was to place the two pow
ers on plane Of perfect equality with re-
spect to the canal, but in practice, Is have
indicated, this would prove utterly delusive,
and would instead surrender it, if not in
form. yet in effect, to the control Of Great
Britain. The treaty binds the United State.
not to use its military force in any precau-
tionary measure while it leaves the naval
power sf Great Britain perfectly free and un-
restrained, ready at any moment of need to
seize both ends of the canal and render it's
military occupation on land a matter entire
ly within the discretion Of Her Majesty's
government. The military power of the
United States, as shown by the recent civil
war. is without limit. and in any conflict on
the American continent altogether irresisti-
BILE.
The Clayton -Bulwer treaty commands this
government to use single
regiment of troops to protect
its interests in connection with the inter-
oceanic canal but to surrender the transit to
the guardianship and control of the British
navy. If no American soldier is to be quar-
tered on the Isthmus to protect the rights of
this country in the inter-oceanc canal, surely
by the fair logic of neutrality. no war vessel
of Great Britain should be permitted to ap-
pear in the waters that control either en-
trance to the canal.
A more comprehensive objection to the
treaty is urged by this government Its pro-
visions embody misconception Of the rela-
tive positions of Great Britain and the United
States. with repect to the interests of each
government IN questions pertaining to this
continent. The government of the United
States has no occasion to disavow an agrees
sive disposition. Its entire policy estab-
fishes its pacific character 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 the
European states will not consent TO perpetu-
ate any treaty that impeaches our rightful
and long established claims to priority on the
American continent. The United States
to use for the defence of its own interests
the same forecast and provisions which Her
MaJesty's government so theoretically en-
lloys in the defense of the British empire to
guard her eastern possession, to secure the
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