The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-24
Her Majesty's Government to Be
Granted Concessions for Consent-
ing TO Abrogate the Treaty.
MoRGAN'S BILL NOT APPROVED
HEPBURN's CANAL MEASURE MORE
LIKELY TO PASS CONGRESS.
Britain willing This Country Should
Her Interests Are Safeguarded.
grecIaI 10 the 1naianapolIs journal.

Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23.-The administra-
tion plan for the construction of a ship canal
across Nicaragua is taking FORM The first
move which has been taken by Secretary
Hay looks to a friendly arrangement with
Great Britain whereby that country will
assent TO the formal abrogation of the Bull
wer-Clayton treaty so that the United States
may be free to enter into a treaty direct
with the Central American republics for a
right of way for a canal The Washington
government is prepared to yield consider
alton to Great Britain for thus clearing the
title and getting out of our way in Central
America. This consideration will probably
be concessions to Canada in the new COM
mercial treaty which is now being negotiated
by the joint high commission. Negotiations
have not progressed far enough yet to en-
able 1t to be stated specifically what the
offset viii be, but 1t is assumed that Great
Britain will be satisfied with what this coun-
try may offer-something which will be fair
to all parties concerned. Jingo sentiment
would be better pleased, perhaps, if this gov
ernment were to stand out on the contention
that the Ciayton-Bulwer treaty has already
but as that country prevented a European
alliance with Spain few months ago the
President deems it only right and proper
that the matter should be settled on an en-
tirely different basis
Preliminary overtures by the Washington
government looking to the abrogation of the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty have been received by
the British Foreign Office in an exceedingly
friendly spirit. which augurs well for the
successful conclusion of negotiations. 1t has
been apparent for some days that the Nor
gan bill, committing this government to the
construction of a canal under the concessions
granted by Nicaragua to the Maritime Canal
Company, was not going to pass Congress
The reasons which impelled friends of the
canal to covertly oppose the Morgan scheme
have not been understood until now 1t is
believed the Hepburn bill, providing for the
acquisition of right of way across Mic
aragua for the canal, was prepared and in
troduced with a foreknowledge of the ad-
ministration's plans in the matter. This be-
Ing the canal situation as it is found at this
writing, there appears to be a slim prospect
Of anything being done by Congress at this
short session.
The Associated Press, discussing the pro-
posed abrogation of the treaty. says:
The United States charge d'affaires at
guest Of Lord Salisbury's Hatfield House.
and unofficial cable reports have indicated
that the visit might have some connection
with the abrogation of the Clayton -Bulwer
treaty. In diplomatic quarters here this
construction is not placed upon the visit,
which Is said to be quite in line with the
usual social feature OF the holidays. If,
however 1t has an official significance they
are phases likely to come up outside of the
abrogation of the Clayton Bulwer treaty.
1t will be recalled that the Presidents re-
cent message referring to American con-
struction Of the canal was misinterpreted by
the English press to mean that the United
States intended TO disregard the Clayton
Bulwer treaty and go ahead with the canal
without reference to England This view
was promptly disavowed by officials here.
Since then there has been about time for
the official mail to reach London, and this
doubtless permits fuller clearing up of the
erroneous impression that the English press
and public, and possibly the officials, took
of the Presidents reference to the canal.
II Is felt that this better understanding
may naturally lead up TO instructions from
the Foreign Office to take up the whole
subject but, as stated, no such instructions
have been received up to this time and
there Is no intimation that they are about
to be given.
The State Department originally did not
contemplate a formal opening of negotia-
tions to secure the desired amendment of the
Clayton Bulwer treaty until Congress had
made some progress at least towards the
enactment Of the Nicaraguan canal bill. the
department wishing not to be placed in the
false position of negotiating for an object
which Congress might. before the conclu-
sion. deem TO be undesirable. After the ex-
perience had with the general arbitration
treaty there Is a particularly strong dlsin
clination to be again placed in this attitude.
However. now that the matter has been
brought into such prominence the negotia-
uons may be opened at an earlier date than
was originally contemplated though ii may
be taken for granted that their initiation
viii be an evidence of the Presidents con-
viction that Congress will pass some accent
able canal bill before adjourning. Although
the gain to English commerce that may be
fairly expected TO result from the construc-
tion of the canal by the American govern
ment viii make the waterway as important
10 Great Britain as ii is to the United States,
there Is still evidence going 10 show that the
British government may seize upon the op-
portunity to ask for quid pro quo. II is
hard to perceive just now what shape this
Will take. but II is suggested with consider
able plausibilIty that this may afford the
key TO the solution OF the reciprocity
problem, which has so greatly embarrassed
the Canadian joint high commission. In
other words in consideration of the relin-
auishment Of her rights in the Nicaraguan
canal. Englsnd may ask for Canada much