New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-26
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TREATY TO BE AMENDED.
ARBITRATION DISCUSSED BY THE FOR
EIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE.

DISPOSITION MANIFESTED TO scRUTISrzE The
TREATY CAREFULLY. ESPECIALLY REGARD
ING ITS BEARING on THE NICARAGUA
CANADIAN ALLEGED UNDERSTAND
ING BETWEEN ENGLAND
AND NICARAGUA.
fBr TELEGRAPH THE rRIBrNEl
Washington. Jan 25.-The Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations began to-day a detailed
and careful consideration OF the provisions OF
the proposed treaty Of arbitration between this
country and Great Britain The full committee
was present. and for two hours the treaty was
discussed. Only one point was discussed to-
day. and on that no formal conclusion
reached. 1t has been pointed out In these dis
patches that while the general principle Of In
tcrnational arbitration approved by men,
bers Of the committee. we'll as by Senator'S
generally, it could not be expected that the
treaty would be hurriedy reported to the Sem
ate with the recommendation that II be rati-
fed
Members of the committee not willing to
be quoted as saying that some Interior purpose,
on Great Britains part in agreeing to an arb-
tration treaty with the United States is likely
to be discovered. Some of them intimate as
much. however and all Of them are undoubtedly
agreement in the anticipation that it's full mean
ing will show that this country, If the treaty is
ratified, will concede to Great Britain rights
hich she does not now enjoy In the Western
hemisphere
Recently the Nicaragua Canal question has
been conspicuously prominent in the Senate.
The letter Of Minister Rodriguez to Secretary
Oney read in the Senate Friday gave something
of sensational turn TO the question. In the
judgment of Senator Morgan and other MEM
bers of the Foreign Relations Committee. the
letter Of the Minister from the three Republics
of Central America has important bearing
on the arbitration treaty
At to-day's meeting of the committee the at
tention of the members was directed exclusively
to the point whether If the treaty be ratified,
question which may arise in connection with
the construction. and control of the canal will
form subjects of arbitration. That Is to say.
Will Great Britain have the right to protest
against American control Of the canal IL the
proposed agreement becomes a formal treaty?
The discussion on this point lasted two hours.
and generally participated in by members
Of the committee.
THE THREE POINTS CONSIDERED.
Prominent among the Senators who took part
in the debate were Messrs. Sherman. Lodge Da.
Wis Morgan. Gray and Turpie. Stated briefly.
the discussion brought out three particular
points:
First-rs the Clayton Bulwer treaty still in
force?
Second-If so. what would be the relations Of
the United States and Great Britain under the
arbitration treaty?
Third-What is the present effect OF the
treaties between this country and Central
American Republics having an interest directly
or remotely in the Nicaragua Canal?
The treaties between the United States and
Nicaragua and Costa Rica and the Clayton
Buwer treaty read section by section and
carefully analysed. 1t the opinion OF the
committee after long discussion that the Clay
ton Bulwer Treaty was still operative and must
be considered in connection with any agreement
that might be reached unless eliminated by spe-
ciic terms. The committee was unanimous in
the opinion that the general treaty of arbitra-
ton must be amended 10 exclude the
Nicaragua Canal. II is evident from the little
Roadway made to-day that some time will elapse
before the treaty is reported to the Senate
No agreement was reached which is binding
on the committee. But ii was evident from in
dvidual expressions in the Of the dis
cussion that majority of the members believe
that with the ratification of the pending treaty
the control Of the Nicaragua Canal would be-
come a question OF arbitration between the con-
tracing parties One member Of the committee
said this afternoon that he was fully convinced
after lister ing TO to-days arguments that
should the United States attempt to construct
the canal. its right 10 do would under pro-
visions of the treaty properly form subject OF
arbitration.
This Senator asked II the treaty could
not be amended 10 meet this objection. He re-
Piled "Of course 1t can be and OF course II will
be- il the committee agrees with me, as be-
lieve IT does 1t will never do for this country
to become a party to compact which will
grant to Great Britain the power OF arbitration
in such distinctly American question as the
construction and management of Isthmian
canal. A rumor has reached the committee that
England does not insist upon such right under
the treaty. ard that she is willing that the
treaty shall be amended in this particular in
any manner satisfactory to the United States
But official information to this effect is be.
fore the committee"
ENGLAND THOUGHT TO BE BEHIND 1T
An exceedingly interesting report has reached
the Of Senators. which bears on the sur
prisng letter of Minister Rodriguez to Secretary
Olney. Senator Morgan. for one. believes the
report 10 be based on fact. At least two other
members of the Senate committee regard 1t as
worthy of serious consideration. The report IS
that the Central American Diet. Senator Nor
gan has termed the political coalition Of Mica
ragua. Salvador and Honduras. has in View the
ultimate construction Of the Nicaragua Canal
and that the proposition 10 revive the Frellng-
huysen -Zavala treaty was simply a bluff in
the interest OF English capitalists
The report. as summarized by Senator To-
day. is that Nicaragua has been persuaded that
under no arrangement which she can make with
this country will she receive any considerable
sum Of money in the way Of a concession for
the right 10 built the canal Even unoer the
Zavala treaty she would have got only
S4O0OO0O cash. That the canal will soma
day be a money making institution is generally
believed. Should Nicaragua herself or aided
by her sister republics. Salvador and Hon.
duras. build the canal. she or the Greater Re-
public of Central America would be greatly
benefited financially But neither Nicaragua