The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-01-30

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At home, however, notwithstand-
ing the almost universal acclaim with
which the signing of the treaty was
hailed as the crowning triumph of
the century and as marking an epoch
in the history of the world, there are
growing indications that the Senate
of the. United States. before which
body the treaty now awaits ratifica
ton, is determined upon policy of
delay. A few of the great papers of
the United States, notably the New
York Sun and the Chicago Tribune,
have also opened fire upon the treaty,
and at present writing it looks as
though it might not be ratified at the
present session of Congress, but be
carried over to the incoming admins
tration.
The journals mentioned and few
others of less note base their opposi-
tion to the treaty on the ground that
it is diplomatic trick of England to
commit the United States to arbitra-
tion in order that she may the better
carry forward certain schemes of her
own in the western world.
There is already pending between
the countries dispute in regard to
the Alaskan boundary which will soon
have to be settled, and the develop
ments in the United States Senate
last week, when Senator Sherman
quietly sent up to the desk to be read
statement by Senior Rodriguez, of
the Greater Republic of Central
America, in regard to the Nicaraguan
canal, has not little damaged the
chances of the treaty for prompt con-
firmation. 1t is now charged by those
opposed to the treaty that Great
Britain is behind Senior Rodriguez
and the republic he represents and
is anxiously awaiting an opportunity
to build the canal herself English
capital is said to be ready for the en-
terprise, and considering that Eng
land has possessions in that part of
America while the United States has
none, the supposition that English
capitalists are eager for chance to
construct ..se greas. waterway is not
inherently improbable. There is,
however, it must not be forgotten,
wide difference between English di-
plomacy and the methods of English
capitalists. The latter are ready in
almost any quarter of the globe to
invest in a scheme that promises pro-
fits; and it must also be acknowl-
edged the English government is
not slow to come to their assistance
and protection when their interests
are menaced by other governments.
But while English capitalists may
regard the Nicaraguan canal as a
good investment and be ready to
build it if they get the chance, it is
more than doubtful whether the
British government, knowing the at
titude of this country on the ques-
ton, would be ready to sanction
such an enterprise. Nothing is bet
ter settled in the convictions of the
American people, if We may Judge
from the repeated declarations of the
platforms of all political parties, than
that the Nicaraguan canal shall be
built and controlled by the American
government. This country, it seems
certain, would not brook the control
of this great scheme by a foreign
government, especially by Great
Britain, and on this account it is ex-
ceedingly unfortunate that the matter
should come up in its present form
at this moment. That the most will
be made of this incident by those who
wish to defeat the treaty is already
evident, with what result remains to
be seen.
AS to quite another forrn of opposi-
ton to the treaty, an editorial in the
Chicago Tribune last week is an il
lustration.
The editorial referred to mentions
the fact that Gathman's gun, an in
vention of Chicagoan, is to be tried
by government tests in a few weeks.
"If this gun can do what is claimed
for it" says the Tribune, "there will
be nothing to arbitrate." 1t, accord
ing to the Tribune, will be able to
blow any ship that floats out of
water, demolish any fortification in
the world; in short, be the greatest
engine of destruction ever invented
by man. With this formidable gun
in our possession, the Tribune seems
to think we can have what we want
and there will be no question by any
other nation.
Such talk is absurd and too ludi-
crous for serious discussion, even when
put forth seriously by great journal.
No better illustration could be given
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