The record-union., 1898-12-11

NOT VIII they ally themselves WITH
other Powers for such purposes, nor
take advantage of any intimacy, infiu-
ence or power, alliance or connection
with any State through which the canal
might pass, to secure rights or advan-
tages for the citizens or subjects OF
either country which shall not be Of
fered to the citizens or subjects of the
other.
These, then, are the provisions which
have given rise to so many contentious
and diplomatic debates between the two
treaty provides that the two Govern
ments bind themselves to extend the
principles of the treaty of protection by
the two Powers to any practicable route
for canal, by treaty stipulations,"
with equal privileges secured, as a con-
dition precedent, to the citizens and
subjects Of each. That article also de-
clares that the treaty had been entered
into Ito accomplish particular object
and establish a general principle"
As Engla Id has maintained her do
minion over the country known as
British Honduras we have claimed that
the treaty by that holding has been
defeated and is really null We have
held also that repeatedly the English
Government has violated the treaty
and is now doing so by warlike con-
struction-by colonizing the coast de-
scribed. But our main contention has
been that the consideration and pur-
pose for which the treaty was cove
nanted have failed.
England has steadfastly taken issue
with us on these points but never in an
angry spirit. All the diplomatic ee-
bates, while sharp and strong have
been characterized by dignity and
| peaceful spirit. Incidentally at first,
but prominently and essentially there
after, we declared to England that the
| assertion of the Monroe doctrine was
adhered to and that it abhorred the
thought of any form of protectorate by
any European Power, over any of the
| Independent States of this continent.
This was very emphatically asserted in
the report of the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs in 1880, reporting un-
der resolution by Mr.. Crapo of Mas
sachusetts which declared against con-
struction of any interoceanic canal by
foreign capital under a European char
ter, as such action would be contrary
to the principles enunciated in the Mon
roe doctrine. The committee reported
affirming the Monroe doctrine, and gave
notice to all the world that we will
remain strictly neutral in all transat-
lantic affairs, and expect a like non
interference in all American affairs,
whether on the Northern or Southern,
or Western Hemispheres" But the
| session of the House came to a close
without ACTION upon that report
Under President Hayes we sought 20
establish a written protocol between
Colombia and ourselves, securing us
exclusive guarantee of the neutrality of
| an isthmian canal. BY it we -sked for
the privilege Of establishing forts and
arsenals and naval stations on the
Isthmus of Panama, and that our ships
Of war should pass through the canal
free of toll, and that if the canal should
be menaced in war we might take con-
troll of 1t. The protocol was unpopular
in Colombia and failed.
Secretary Blaine in his time was the
most prominent figure in our history in
all the attempts to secure notifications
of the Clayton-B -Bulwer treaty. But
his diplomatic correspondence and
not be condensed into any brief intel
Egent statement. His protest against
the treaty and any binding force
claimed for it, is one of the most nota-
bic documents in our modern history.
In that paper he reasserted that the
extraordinary conditions UNDER which
the treaty had been negotiated had
passed away. Also, that this Gov
ernment could never consent to a con-
struction that would prevent her pro-
tecting by arms her interests and those
of her citizens, in connection with any
inter-oceanic canal. But if that con-
struction should be forced upon u.s. then
the very logic of it would forbid Eng
| land sending ships Of war or soldiers
| into the waters at eifhar end of tbe
canal
But England on her side has steadily
contended that the development of the
American Pacific Coast was foreseen
and contemplated in the treaty; that
| the conditions we term extraordinary
are the same to-day as when the treaty
was concluded She has denied stead
| fastly any violation by her of any OBJ
| legations imposed by the treaty and
| holds that any inter-oceanic canal by
the way of the Central American 18TH
mus, does interest and concern the
whole civilized world.''
To this we have replied that England
originated the Monroe doctrine and is
estopped in such argument by that
fact, and by her acquiesence in our as
sertion Of the doctrine. Whereupon
the English statemen have uniformity
fallen back upon the cold letter Of the
treaty, and insisted upon its continuing
vitality. In fact the correspondence
upon theN subject between English and