Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1898-12-24

Yet. but They Are Probably Imminent
Modification OF :ae Clayton Buiwer
Treaty-Aetion OF France in China That
Resulted in a Protest from Minister
Conger- Stamp Fraud Discovered.
Washington, Dec 24-It is accepted
as little short of certain in the best in
| formed official and diplomatic circles
that negotiations will be opened at an
early day toward so modifying the
Clayton-Bulwer treaty as to meet the
conditions of the present day concern
ing American construction and control
of the Nicaraguan canal. But while re-
cent events on both sides of the water
have made this move obvious the Brit
ish ambassador, Sir Julian Pauncefote,
mas not up to the present time received
any instructions to open negotiations
on this subject, nor is there any init
nation that instructions are about to
be received. For this reason some sur
prise is expressed in high diplomatic
quarters at seeming authoritative an
nouncements that Sir Julian has such
instructions in hand, or is about to re-
ceive them, and will execute them dur
ing holiday week by opening confer
ences with the state department.
White Is Visiting Salisbury.
the matter the ambassador could not
have made an authoritative statement.
and had such instructions been received
he is not in the habit of giving author
itative disclosures of his purposes. At
the same time il is thought to be quite
likely that the near future will bring
forth negotiations of this character.
The United States charge daffaires at
London. Henry white is at present the
Of iSh
House. and unofficial cable reports have
indicated that the visit might have
some connection with the abrogation of
the Clayton Bulwer treaty In diplo-
matte quarters here this construction
is not placed upon the visit, which is
said to be quite in line with the usual
social features of the holidays.
President Was Misinterpreted.
IF. however, it has an official sig
nificance there are phases likely to
come up outside of the abrogation of
the Clayton-Bulwer treaty. 1t will be
recalled that the presidents recent
message, referring to American con-
struction of the canal. was misinter-
preted by the English press to mean
that the United States intended to dis
regard the Clayton-Bulwer treaty and
go ahead with the canal without refer
ence to England. This view was very
promptly disavowed by officials here.
Now that the matter has been brought
into such prominence the negotiations
may be opened at an earlier date than
IVES originally contemplated.
May Solve the Canadian Difficulty.
Although the gain to English COM
merce that may be fairly expected to
result from the construction of the ca
raj by the American government will
make the waterway as important to
Great Britain as ii is to the United
States, there is still evidence going to
show that the British government may
seize upon the opportunity to asR for a
quid pro quo. 1t is hard to perceive
just now what shape this will take, but
il is suggested with considerable plaus-
Utility 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 re-
linquishment of her rights in the Mic
araguan canal England may ask for
Canada much more liberal reciprocity
treaty than could be arranged under
existing conditions.