The times., 1898-12-24
THE CbNNY BRITISH lion
That Benevolence in Regard to
the Nicaragua Canal.
CLAYTON.BULWER TREATY
A Diplomatic View of American
Submission A M0ribund Agree
ment ResUrrccted for Purpose-
Anti-Expnnstonists and Railway
Interests-An Estimate of the Cost.

1t has been announced in the Admins |
tration press that the difficulties in the |
way of building the Nicarauga Canal un-
der existing American concessions. or by
the United States Government directly.
are about to be removed through an ar
rangement with Great Britain by which
that government will consent to the abro-
cation of the Clayton -Bulwer treaty.
1t is stated that within few days Sir
Julian Pauncefote will receive instruc-
tions from the foreign office in London to
open negotiations with this country with
that end in view.
Henry White charge d'affaires of the
United States in Great Britain. has been
visiting Lord Salisbury at Hatfield House,
with the result. as it is said, that an ar
rangement has been reached for the re-
opening of this old subject of contention.
Last night The Times was at some pains
to interview gentlemen familiar with the
history of the Nicaragua Canal movement.
especially in its relation to the Clayton
Bulwer treaty. One diplomatist in the
service of leading European power had
this to say about the newspaper reports.
which are given such currency that they
seem to be inspired from an Official
source: =.
A DipIomatist's Warming.
your Government seems about to re-
peat its history of concession and sub
mission to the British power on this
continent. Your leading statesmen have
repeatedly denounced IL. Clayton-Bulwer
treaty as something non-existent. When
It was forced upon the United States
through ridiculous piece o. bribery, 1t
contained provisions vital TO Its exist
ence which everybody in diplomatic life
knows have been deliberately and finally
ignored and defed by Great Britain. For
wears therefore Il has been an abso-
Iutely lifeless and voided contract upon
which your Government might have been
sure of decision before any interna-
tional arbitrator in the world.
For ten years your political leaders
and men of affairs have shown deter
mination TO build and control the Me
aragua Canal. without reference to Brit
ish or any other foreign influence and
the cabinet in London has remained
silent knowing thoroughly well that 1t
dare not interrose anything beyond
merely formal objection in case the Unit
ed States were TO carry out the purposes
which the demands of the American peo-
pie and the progressive action of the
American Congress have seemed TO make
certain.
Is Americn Blind:
''All these things are matters OF such
common n0toriety among the diplomatists
of the civilized world, it seems strange to
them that the strong point in the ques-
ton has not occurred vividly TO the
American people. Everyone should have
noticed that it was not until your trans
continental railways and other corporate
interests opposed to the construction of
the Nicaragua Canal had begun to say
that the United States should secure the
consent of Great Britain before under
taking the work that there was any
question about Great Britains right TO
speak or interpose in the matter.
But those of your own people who.
for reasons of their own, have always
opposed and still oppose an American
canal between the two oceans. have
thrown out this bait TO a rival CONNER
cial power in order 10 secure its assist
ance in blocking the game Of your ma
tional progress. England undoubtedly
knows that it would be foolishness in her
to seriously antagonize great under
taking upon which ii is evident America
! Is bent But with the encoura cement
| given to her by the traitors in your camp,
| it is but natural that she should attempt,
| in meeting the inevitable, to make as
| good a trade out of the circumstances
and conditions as may be possible.
Although Lord Salisbury is well aware
| that his government is out of court so
| far as the Clayton-Bulwer treaty is con-
| cerned, he evidently now assumes that it
! is a live matter, and one which he can
| use in negotiations for the purpose of
| securing favorable concessions, which.
| whether desirable to extend or not are
| quite unnecessary for the United States
! to consider in connection with the canal
| You will find that the British government
| in offering to allow the United States to
| construct the Nicaragua Canal will de-
mand commercial and perhaps other con-
cessions in return which, as a matter of
fact, if allowed, will amount to a free
gift on the part of your country
From statements made 10 The Times by
senators last night it appears probable
that the Senate whole will not accept
the apparent intention on the Fart of the
Administration to revive the exploded
Clayton-Bulwer treaty with anything Ike
satisfaction. Several leading senator's
who desired that they should not be
quoted at this time, expressed the opinion
| that the reported movement to give life to
| a convention which every American public
man not interested in the anti-canal lobby
| believes to be absolutely dead is in the in
terest of the elements opposed to the good
| and the honor of the country.
| Little Less Than Treason.
One member of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee stated to Times reporter that he
thought it little less than treason to lug
in the Clayton-Bulwer treaty by the ears
at a time when it was known that Great
Britain would not think of insisting upon
its moribund provisions, but for the aid
and comfort given by the anti-expansion
| lists.
| While the friends of the canal are push
ing and its enemies are obstructing. the
movement in favor of the great Ameri
can ditch is progressing encouragingly.
The preliminary report of the Nicaragua
| Canal Commission. consisting of Gen.
| Hams, Admiral Walker and Prof. NJ
Lewis Haupt has been prepared and will
be presented to the Senate committee
| probably within few days.
| The report in question will give n gem