The sun., 1898-09-19
An English Newspaper on the Clayton
BuIwer Treaty.


One Of the most important articles which
have lately appeared in the London press
is discussion in the Spectator Of the expe-
diency Of abrogating the Clayton-Bulwer
treaty. The text Of the article is now be-
fore u.s. and we find that the writer, who
speaks with the authority Of one Of the
most influential organs OF the Liberal
Unionist party, not only pronounces it to
be for England's interest that the treaty
should be cancelled, but also holds that,
without waiting for request to that end
from the United States, his country should
take the initiative, and itself propose the
substitution Of different convention.
1t will be remembered that the Clayton
Bulwer treaty, which was concluded ON
April 10, 1850, by JOHN NJ. CLAYTON, Sec
retary ofState in TAYLoRs Administration.
and by Sir HENRY LYTToN-BULwER, then
the British Minister at Washington, had for
its avowed purpose the bestowal Of protec-
tion upon private capitalists who should
undertake to construct any canal or railway
across the American isthmts. Such canal or
railway was to be private, not a public,
enterprise, and both parties to the treaty
agreed that neither England nor the United
States should exercise an exclusive con-
trolling influence over any mode Of inter-
oceanic communication to be opened across
the isthmus. In return for the concession
to Great Britain which this agreement in
volved that power covenanted not to acquire
any territory in Central America, Of nearly
one-half of which, as President TAYLOR in
formed the Senate in the message submitting
the treaty, the British Government was
then in possession under the guise Of ally
and protector of the Mosquito King. After
the treaty was signed Secretary CLAYTON
permitted. without protest, the British
Minister to file memorandum to the effect
that the treaty was not to be understood to
deprive British subjects Of their long-exer-
cised right to cut logwood on the coast of
Honduras. What was then an insignificant
settlement Of woodcutters, claiming no
right of sovereignty, has been since greatly
expanded at the expense Of Guatemala, un-
til, by a convention with that State made
In 1859, its area was fixed at 1852 square
miles. That Is to say, in the course OF less
than half a century what once was desig-
mated as "her Majesty's settlement In the
bay Of Honduras" has become territory
as large as the State Of Massachusetts,
throughout which sovereign authority is
claimed and exercised by the British Crown.
Mr.. BLAINE held that, although the Clayton
Bulwer treaty was, on its face, intended
to be perpetual, it had been rendered
voldable by England's usurpation Of sover-
eighty over a large tract in Central Amer
lea, and similar opinion was expressed by
Secretary FRELINaHUYsEN In communica-
tion to the British Government. Subse-
quently, however, President CLEVELAND
treated the Clayton-Bulwer convention as
still binding; and, therefore, although we
may hold it to be vodable at our option, we
must acknowledge that the option has not
yet been definitely exercised.
The treaty, therefore, exists, and the
question is, what is to be done with 1t? We
concur with the Spectator in thinking that
the treaty, II allowed to stand, would be
now. as It has been In the past, a veto
on the construction Of trans-Nicaragua
Canal by any agency, private or public. No
private company will undertake to cut the
waterway unless 1t secures the help and
patronage OF the United States Govern
ment, and this our Government will not
give neither will 1t construct the
canal itself Anless 1t can exercise exclusive
controlling influence over 1t, when COM
pleted. From such exclusive controlling
interest 1t is debarred by the treaty and,
therefore, one OF two things must happen,
the treaty must bo abrogated or the max
ing OF a trans-Nicaragua Canal must be re-
nounccd This Is distinctly recognized by the
Spectator; "if we refuse, - 1t says, "tO give
up our rights under the treaty, we prevent
tho construction OF an interoceanic water
way" 1t then proceeds 10 argue the ques-
ton whether It is for or against English In
terests to have such canal. From the COM
msrclL point 4 Viaw the inquiry Is an