The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-18
snArTIn, MoNpAy. rEB. rs.
4 srsNrrIcASr DECLARATION.

A SIGNIFICANT DEGIARAIIoN.
The inquiry propounded by Sir Ed
ward Haaiand In the British house of
euSanona last Thursday concerning the
status OF that nation In event OF the
passagc of the Morgan Nicaragua canal
bill brings up most important and
fsr-reachsng question OF governmental
poycy. MIR. nariand wanted to know
whether the British government would
consider ethe propr1ety OF urging upon
the government OF the United States
tie Importance OF the creation Of a
BrftIah and American commission TO
deal with the question OF the eonstrnc-
ton OF the canal and with its status
wlsen built
The reply of Sir Edward Gray. parlia-
naenfary secretary for the British for
eIgn Office. II significant and not to be
lightly considered. 1t Indicates a de-
tersninaaion Oh tfmpart OF Great Brit
ain 10 oppose the exclusive control BY
the United states OF the proposed
trans-isthinian waterway between the
Atlantic and Pacific states OF this union.
sThc government" said Mr.. Gray.
speaking for Great Britain. considered
such canal as it was proposed to con-
struot Through Nicaragua should be
under International control. and what
ever steps 1t may deem desirable will
be taken by the government to advance
this view
srsl,aes ~. s,,xsf,,sy,4s,,, xsy,-fa r,,,fr,~
from the official representative Of @
department having in charge the for
esgn policy Of the British empire. They
distinctly indicate a determination on
the part Of Great Britain to contest the
supreme national necessity and national
right Of the United states to control an
avenue OF commerce between sections
of It's own territory. The Nicaragua
canal will be to the United States,
when II shall be completed. In peace or
war. all that the Suez canal Is 10 Great
Britain
Discussing this identical question
months ago. the New York Sun stated
the position OF this nation in these
words: ANY act. or assumption threat
enlng our exclusive control OF the Mic
araxuan canal win be regarded al an
net unfrtcndly 20 this government. or
an assumption hostile 10 the interests
OF the United States: and this for pre-
clsely the same reasons as would DO
offered 10 the world by Great Britain
herself. 60 Justify her I'm resenting and
resisting any move by any other power
menaclng her direct water route 10 her
INDIAN possessions"
The treaty referred 10 by Sir Edward
Gray Is tho Clayton~Buiwe- treaty. a
compact long since rendered obsolete
by Great Rritain's practical repnilatlon
- It's terms. Our national position and
policy with regard to the exclusive con-
troll for ell time az the Nicaraguan
canal and sfs Atlantic and Pacific ap-
prcaches We're est forth u n memorable
communication from James @. Blaine.
escretaSy 81 state. 90 Lord Granville.
transmitted through United States Min
lister Lowell. dated November 10. ISL.
That paper with Incompatible fnrc>e.
precision and foresight summarized the
reasons jasslfyinE Tire claim. SUPPORT
ting the position and controlling Tire
policy OF the United States. as follows:
The states and territories ap,sorfen-
ant 70 the Pacific ocean and aepea,sen,
upon II fer commercial outkst. ana
hence siirSstly interested in she canal.
comprise an aria OF nearly eight hun
dref Thousand square nsrres. ,fyver y,
extent than the German esnrsse ans, che
four Latin countries os Fsaacpa eez,,-
hlned.
'sf a sscstzle movement should at any
time BE- made against the Pacffse coast.
threatening danger 10 sts nsogk and
destruction 10 It's property. the govern.
uaent of THE Ueitea States swcuha Zee,
that 10 had been unsasshftii Co sts duty
and neglected. toward rs own citizens
n r. had permitted itself 10 Be bound
By = treaty whsch gave the Same right
through the canal IN wassAip bert
ga an errand - destruction. that is re-
k-Erri ~ its owix navy. ssisgnw for she
defense % oss- sseast and the pg>ssecsion
az the nsee Of our people. Ard as Eng
lafEi insists by the might % h1s. power
that her enesft.es Ia war saass strike
her Indian sssssesssoxss only by sios.sllag
the Cape OF Good Hope. 81 the govern
inert ~ The United States win equally
erssst that she Interior. aso-e speedy.