The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-07-11
TO MAKE 1T NEUTRAL.
Cleveland Disposed to Consult With the
Powers of Europe and Asia.

Cleveland Disposed to Consult With the
Powers of Europe and Asia.
Chicago, July 5.-The Times-Her.
AIDS Washington correspondent sends
the following: An international Mic
aragua canal convention, with dele.
gates from the governments of the
United States, Great Britain, Ger
many, Russia, France, Japan and other
maritime powers of the world, is likely
to be held in Washington next winter.
The diplomatic questions growing out
of the canal project are among the i'm
portant matters to which Secretary Oh
ney will give attention during his
summer sojourn at Falmouth. He has
already had sent to his Massachusetts
home all the available data bearing on
the subject. From such examination
of the case as the secretary has now
been able to make it is understood that
he has reached the conclusion that an
international conference is desirable.
If such shall be his more mature judg-
ment, of course, the United States will
have to define the purpose of the con-
vention, and issue the invitations.
1t is now the well-settled belief in
Washington that the Nicaragua canal
will be constructed under the auspices
of the United States government. Much
depends upon the report to be made by
the engineers commission, which has
just finished it's inquiry and sailed for
home. If this report be favorable, no
one doubts that congress will guarantee
the bonds of the canal company, or I'M
dertake the work of construction by
still more direct methods.
President Cleveland and Secretary
Olney believe that before the govern
ment enters upon so great an undertake
ing it should clear up the diplomatic
questions surrounding the enterprise.
1t is highly necessary to know what
will be the status of the canal when
finished. In no other way can this be
so we'll determined as by calling the
maritime powers together in confer
ence, with a canal treaty in view.
Now that we are probably nearing the
actual diggingS of the canal, it is we'll
for the United States to look the facts
in the face, and the facts are that the
canal must be neutral. This is imper-
ative.
If the United States enters upon the
work of digging this great canal, with
plans of select control and possession,
with intent to fortify and use it as a
military weapon, she will delude her.
self. If our money is invested with
such things in view, and an effort is
then made to realize the dream, the re-
suit will be disastrous. President
Cleveland and Secretary Olney have
decided that it is the part of wisdom
to have this question settled before in
vesting, leaving nothing to chance.
Once embarked in the enterprise, pride
would compel US not only to push it
through, but to defend as far as posi-
BILE the entire plan. 1t would be hu-
initiating to set out for a fortified ca
nal and a naval stronghold, and then
be forced by the European powers to
abandon everything save the ditch.
The president and secretary agree
that it would be much better to set out
for that which can be achieved, and
for that only. To accept the newt
able, which is the naturalization of the
canal, and, by perfecting the neutrali-
zation in advance, avoid the dangers of
complications and losses.
nafa