New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-22
ENGLAND AND THE TSTHMTAN CANAL.

ENGLAND AND THE ISTHUIAN CANAL.
Diplomatic questions connected with the Mica
ragia Canal project have again been raised In
London "'The ST. James's Gazette" brings them
up with n request that the British Government
will answer them officially. That paper is not
an organ of the Government by any means. but
it is strong supporter OF it. II Is. moreover.
much devoted to commercial interests We may
therefore regard its utteranccs as an index Of
the minds of a considerable number Of British
Unonists. and especially of those who. for either
political or commercial reasons. are anxious 10
extend British influence in foreign parts. "Thc
st. James's Gazette" thinks there is danger either
of Il diplomatic deadlock between Great Britain
and the United States over the canal, or of Great
Britain being forced TO surrender certain OF her
treaty rights. 1t fears. above all. that Great
Bntain's commercial hold of the Central Amcri-
can markets will be broken in favor Of the
United States. This. in its view. is likely 10
occur If the canal is completed by Americans
under American patronage. So it turns in DIS
trcss to the Clayton -Bulwcr Treaty. and wants
TO know whether Lord Salisbury means to en-
force that instrument. If so. will his Govern
ment Join the United States in guaranteeing The
capital Of the canal? If not. in what way VIII
he secure the neutrality Of the canal and the
equality of rights and opportunities now en-
loved by British subjects in those regions:
II is perfectly natural that British subjects
and British statesmen. too. should be curious on
these matters There is, however no occasion
for them to get excited. or even to be seriously
exercised. The canal will probably be finished
in due time. by an American company. under
the benign patronage Of the American Govern
ment 1t Is an American enterprise, and when
completed will be in American institution. III
we may be pardoncd for using so hackncyed
phrase, that is ITS manifest destiny. The canal
will unite by seaway the Atlantic ana Paclilc
coasts Of the United States. and will practically
form part Of those coasts. To say that this
country therefore. has or should have no more
interest i'm II. and should have no more right 10
exercise guardianship over 1t, than some Iu-
ropean Power Is to talk the mcrcst nonsense
This country has no desire and no intention To
make territorial acquisitions In Central America.
II wishes to see the Central and South American
republics remain free and independent But IT
will never consent TO their making Il waterway
through their territory 10 afford reader passage
between the two coasts Of America and then
handing it over 10 a foreign Power or giving
any foreign Power any control over II whatever
If the canal cannot be constructed without Eu
ropcan patronage, and If It's freedom TO the com
mcrce Of the world cannot be left to be guaran-
tccd by the United States as the chief American
Power. then it had better not be made at all.
As to the Clayton Bulwer Treaty, which "The
St. Jamcs's Gazette is anxious 10 have enforced,
there is only one proper disposition TO be made
of It, 1t should be abrogated, wholly and ut
once That instrument has never served any
useful purpose. 1t was framed and founded on
"A spurious claim. 1t has been violated by Great
Britain over and over again. 1t has been the
cause Of numberless unnecessary complications
and embarrassmonls in American diplomacy.
Great Britain herself has more than once wished
TO be rid Of it. Why should it longer cumber
the international statute-book? Surely excuses
for its abrogation are not lacking. Great Britain
furnished an ample one when, under q decision
made by the Emperor Of Austria, she assumed
guardianship over the Mosquito Reservation.
She furnished another more recently when she
took forcbe possession Of a Nicaraguan port
and established dominion there. This Govern
mcnt could do nothing better for American in
terests throughout this continent, and for the
interests Of It's smaller ncigbbors at the South,
than TO give prompt notice OF the abrOgatiOn OF
that antiquated and dishonorcd treaty. Then
it can fulfil in Nicaragua the manly and straight
President fifteen years ago in regard to Panama:
"The policy Of this country is canal under
American control