The daily gazette., 1881-10-29
SATURDAY. OCTOBER 20. Issl.


letter to Minister Lowell will not have
the effect of combining the European
powers. So long as the United States
talked to one nation, be that one Eng
land, France or Spain, it might be
supposed that one would be deferred
from colonizing on this continent.
And yet this has not been the case in
this matter. England herself persist
cd and still persists in doing just what
the Monroe doctrine insisted should
not be done. Now, Mr.. Blaine OBJ
jects to Colombia entering into a
treaty with the great powers of
Europe to maintain the neutrality Of
the Panama Isthmus canal, and leaves
Il to be inferred that the United States
and Colombia will sustain the neutl al
ity OF that work after it is built with
European capital--there seems to be
no capital from this country of any
account going into the work. 1t is
perhaps all very well for Mr.. Blaine to
write az he has done. He has been
very careful not to commit his govern
ment by the use of harsh language
or threats as to the consequences that
might befall the European powers
should they have the hardihood to
sign treaty with Colombia 10 main
tain the neutrality of the Isthmus
canal. But suppose they should do
this, what are we going to do about
itf Surely this government would
not be fool enough 10 undertake to
fight off the Great Powers and Co.
lombia too. The thing seems perfect
ly absurd. Mr.. Blaine would not at
tempt anything of the kind. We
have doubted and still doubt whether
the Isthmus canal will be built; if it
is built it may not be completed and
ready for use for twenty years to
come. Any monetary crisis in Europe
is likely to affect it, as also might the
death of NJ. de Lesseps, who is now
over seventy. No one can deny that
the canal would be great improve
ment to the worlds commerce, and
beneficial to the United States in aid
ing our merchants and importers to
trade with the nations of the East.
Ii MIR. Blaine's forcible language has
the effect to stop the construction of
this great work it may be doubted
whether the result will not be de-
trimental.
Be this as it may, 1t seems that
wisdom should impel the United
States to put no obstacles in the way
of building the great snip canal as it
put no money in it. 1t is not on our
soil, and we would be sure to be put
In the wrong as a matter of abstract
right were we to say to Colombia she
should net join in a treaty with the
Great Powers.
SAOho Aho ohahlh Chlhi Is COIN
pleted the United States will be in ;
position to assume positions which il
were better not to take at present. II
all probability our boundaries will be
slightly expanded ere the next tive
decades are completed. And it would
not be surprising if the States that
border on the Gulf of Mexico were
then represented in the United States
Congress and in the meantime the
people Of this country had built q
ship canal or ship railway across
Nicaragua that would be far more
advantageous to US than the one now
under contract at Panama, because o
its being nearer to our people on the
Pacific as well as Atlantic coast. The
lsthmus of Tehauntepec Is still nearer
and many maintain that it affords bet
ter and more inexpensive place for a
canal. We can we'll afford to wait
and take our choice.