New-York tribune., 1884-12-20
FEELING ABOUT TIE TREATIES.
rEw FRIENDS FOR THE SPANISH AND ST. DOMINGO
TREATIEs-sIRoNG sENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF
THE NICARAGUA CANAL,

rEw FRIENDS FOR THE SPANISH AND ST. DOhlNdo
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. sENTIMENT IN FAVOR OF
THE NICARAGUA CANAL.
fBr TELEGRAPH THE rRrBuNEl
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Thc treaties, pup
shed so far continue to be the principal topic of dis
cusson. n those with Spain and ST. Domingo have any
friends outside the State Department they nave failed 80
far to enter the lists I'm defence OF these measures
The number of these the other hand opposed 10 INC
system Of reciprocity as outlined III the fresluehV ,
message seems be increasing daily. Senators are not
wanting who already declare that the Spanish treaty IL
doomed and who consider the fate OF tho remaining com
meroal treaties to be depending upon the action
which the Senate will take upon the former
Among Republicans I'm the Senate there is n strong
feeling OF dissatisfaction with the Presidents course III
the matter They think that would have boon wiser IN
him to leave the party unhamperod and not TO uhload'
lust ~ he Is about to make for Democratic sue
cesso series of for which, to some extent at
least. the party will have TO assume responsibility.
We would be In better lighting condition. remarked
a Republicans Senator to-day. "if the President had
permitted cosc OF his Administration 20 be charac-
torzcd by strictly neutral and passive attitude hl7
course compcls to shoulder In part the rcaponsl
bity for policy which In view ~ the Importance OF
the interests involved. must necessarily consume moro
time IN con.dcrnt ion than wo can givo while Rcpub.
can Executive yet remains In Office II would nave Dcoh
better had kept our hands perfectly clear and allowed
tho Democrats to assume responsibility We could then
nntnRon1o hcn lf necessary, win much greater '"h"
aud moro chances ~ success"
As FAR the Nicnraguan treaty II concerned, thore
Ia be strong fcnng In IT, favor though frw son
nors care To cypress nm opinion concerning lt- merits
Everyone talked 10 upon the subject seemed 10 re-
gard II ~ the most important treaty entered into
by tho United states since the ratification o. inc clayton
Iulwcr treaty. All agree thnt II of vital import
that this country should secure control or water
Central America. Whether the ratification
of the Nicaraguan treaty whond Involve the
United states In conflict with Great Britain was
question upon which no Senator was found Wiling 10 OK
press any view
senator who clearly In favor OF the treaty on
what he described general principles, reakeu
that long private enterprise could not be round III
this country build canal II the duty Of the Gov
eminent to take the necessary steps "lt would more
over. he remarked 'sovc thn problem or our surplus
for ami sure almost any canal that hlght ne pmlI
would swallow IL for number OF years
to ana IL could not DC saCIiSc"
in better cause - .
the House the sentiment in favor Of the ratification
OF the treaty and the legislation necessary to make IL
effective is very strong.
Prominent Democrats from the South and VEST as
wei from the Eastern States bold and outsposen
in their advocacy OF the digging and owning OF the canal
by the United States and influential RepuDlcans seem
10 I've not one whit less favOraby Inclined 70
the policy set forth in the treaty II the Senate should
take early and favorable action. the House, unless us
temper should undergo decided change, would be Hkely
to promptly In the same direction despite the
warnings OF its conservative members, VINO point
ont the weakness the United States Navy and the de-
feuccless condition of the Atlantic seaboard
In the Senate this morning MI Vest submitted y nou-
icatiOn to the resolution heretofore offered Dy nm re-
atng to the proposed Nicaragua canal surveying eKpe
ditlOn The modification declares II to be mot e1,
resolution had declared o be illegal" to send 1t with
authority