New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-24
NO MOVEMENT YET IN WASHINGTON, HOWEVER.
TOWARD MODIFYING THE TREATY.


Washington. Dec 23-It is accepted as little
short Of certain in the best-inforned official and
diplomatic circles that negotiations will be
opened al an early day toward modifying the
Clayton Bulwer Treaty 10 meet the conditions
Of the present day concerning American con-
s,ruction and control Of the Nicaragua Canal.
Bu. while recent events on both sides Of the
water have made this move obvious. the British
AMBASSADOR Sir Julian Pauncefote. has not up
10 the present time received any instructions TO
omen negotiations on this subject, nor IS there
INV animation that instructions are about 10 be
received For this reason some surprise is ex-
messed in high diplomatic quarters 81 seemingly
authoritative announcements that Sir Julian has
such Instructions in hand. or is about 10 receive
them and Will execute them in the holiday week
BY opening conferences with the State Depart
ment In the absence Of all instructions on the
matter the Ambassador could not have r'ade
an authoritative statement. and had such IN
structions been received he is not in the habit
OF giving authoritative disclosures OF his pur-
poses At the same time. II is thought 10 De
likely that the near future will bring forth nego-
tiations Of this character.
BETTER UNDERSTANDING IN ENGLAND.
The United States Charge d'Anaires in Lon
don. Henry White. has been the guest OF Loro
Salisbury AT Hatfield House. and unoftl,ial caole
REPORTS have indicated that the visit might rave
some connection with the abrogauon OF the
CLAYTON Bulwer Treaty. In diplomatic GutF'ei7
here this construction is not placed on inc
visi- which is said 70 be in line with the usual
social features Of the holidays II, however Il
mas an Official significance. there are phases
likely 70 come up outside Of the aoroSdHoh u
the treaty II will be recalled that the Fresi-
referring 10 American
construction OF the canal. was misnterpreted py
,ha png,ish nrAss 10 mean that the United states
inreDded 10 disregard the Clayton Bul"er IleatS
and 20 ahead with the canal without r e.el.I!oS
% England This view was promptly Csc 90
m, ofFcials here Since then there mas -
about time for the official mail 10 'edcn h-i,.,
land and this doubtless permits 'uliVL o,'e,t'7
up Of the erroneous impression me l. = = ia
Presidents references TO the canal IL = III ,S
mis- better understanding may nai4ra"y eSu
I'D 70 instructions from the Foreign Once - ca
Up the whole subject but as s'ateo, 40 80 inc
gfructons have been received up 10 ms 80 =,
and here is no intination that they are ABOUT u
The State Department originally did not con
template formal opening OF he5 C,o,,,o1
secure the desired amendmen' ia 30 r3aSe some
Buluer Treaty until Congress haa md ne
progress al least toward the enactment :. ~
Nicaragua Canal bill the Departinehl 40 -
ing 70 be placed in the false pora9 n'cht be-
fore The conclusion, deem 10 pe "liu t".ra
After The experience with the genera a. S;st
lion treatv there is a particularly strong o'sn-
clination 10 be again placed in thls 90, ~
However. now that the matter mas uce" 80 he
into such prominence negotlatIolis ;-;,.lI,,
opened at an earlier date Ihsn I Wa taken for
contemplated. though II may o "vi5ence
granted that their initiation VIII De ~ y, ~
Of the Presidents conviction that ado,,r
pass some acceptable canal bill before @uJ
ing
NAY SOLVE THE RECIPROCITY PROBLEM
Although the gain TO English commerce
NAV he fairly expected 70 result from the cor
srruction OF the canal by the Amer "a"
eminent will make the waterway as ln'po' '""'
70 Crea, Britain as 10 the United H'a'e7'
there is stu evidence going 10 snow t,a,
British Government may selze tne - ,crcelve
% ask for quid pro quo. 1t Is marc 10 g. enc,
just now what shape this Will take Dut :. !. nav
ges;ed With considerable plausiblhty una :.
afford k.v m the solution Of the 'eclpiooiht ~
problem which has so greatly enloa dras ~ ron
john Hitch commission In other words' ~ -
sderation OF the REIMBURSEMENT OF Aer sn's t ~
the Nicaragua Canal. England may ar f1eaty
Canada a much more liberal reclp,.Ia.s o., a.
than could be arranged under EXISTING ''