The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-24
70 BEGIN AL OVER
Probable Method With the
CIayton-BuIwer Treaty.
REASONS ARE ABUNDANT
Why England Should Leave
the Canal 10 Uncle Sam.

New York, Jan. 2S.-The Tribune's Lon
don correspondent writes:
The Nicaraguan canal question has been
taken up by Secretary Hay and Lord
Salisbury in a practical rather than
controversial spirit. It is not probable
taht either of these statesmen is anxious
to attempt 10 unravel the tangled skein
of diplomacy with which the CLAYTON
Rulwer treaty has been enmeshed in the
course of fifty years. They Will prefer
to make fresh start in a spirit OF mu-
tuaI accommodation and good feeling. The
practical business now in ahnd is that
of adapting the Clayton-Bulwer treaty 10
new conditions affecting the interests OF
both countries.
The commercial interests Of ten world
and the biggest ENDS of civilization Will
be promoted by the construction OF wat
erway through Central American. one
country may be more directly interested
than the other in the completion and con-
trel of the inter-oceanic canal, but both
England and America will benefit COM
merciany by the opening of teh waterway
and neither can have any adequate motive
for hampering or retarding great work
which viii contribute to the progress and
civilization of ten world. On this high
ground the two governments can meet and
devise practical measures for faciita ting
| the construction of the canal and for pro-
viding for its control and maintenance as
a neutral waterway open at all times 10
the shipping and navies of all nations.
en-
deavoring to carry out in an enlightened
and progressive spirit worthy of the genius
of the Anglo-Saxon race.
CHANGES IN FIFTY YEARS.
The relative interests of the two coun-
tries. both in the construction and in the
control of the inter-oceanic waterway,
have changed materially since the Clay
ton-Bulwer treaty was negotiated fifty
years ago. This is point which English
statesmen of the highest rank frankly con-
cede Since 1850 the Suez canal has been
open and IL is now practically under Eng
fish control. 1t provides direct commu-
nication with India and Australia and is
the chief link in the chain of imperial
possessions dependent upon sea power. In
fuential Englishmen do not hesitate 10 say
that from a strictly British or imperial
point of view the projected Nicaraguan
canal is less important now than IL was
in 1850. Eng,and's interest in it is mainly
commercial slice it will supply shorted and
more direct communications with China
and the west coast of Mort hand South
America On teh other hand. the truth is
recognized in England that Americas in
terest in the Nicaraguan canal has mate
rally increased since the negotiation OF
the C1ayton-Bulwer treaty. 1t is now es-
sential as a military work for uniting the
Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific coasts and for
! concentrating the naval forces. AS a
! power with possessions in ten East and
/ West Indies it viii be an essential link in
/ the American imperial system, as the
! Suez canal is in the British empire.
/ PUBLIC VS.. PRIVATE CONTROL
! This change of balance in the interests
/ of teh two countries in teh Nicaragua
/ canal has a direct bearing upon the two
questions of construction and control
which are affected by the treaty Of 1880.
The attitude Of the British government
! when approached and asked to revise the
! treaty Of 1850 in spirit of accommoda-
| ton, may be forecast with confidence
! That government has no desire to obseruc;
! the construction Of the Nicaragua canal
| 1t wishes TO have ten canal completed and
| opened as speedily as possible. in the in
/ terests of the worlds commerce. il pre-
| fers to have the United States govern
ment undertake the work. because mis-
is the only method OF economical con-
struction by which the cost can be kept
/ down and low tolls secured. The Pansms
enterprise has warned British ministers
/ that private company cannot undertake
so great work without a vast increase 0.
/ financial outlay. They are convinced tina
| the success OF the Nicaragua canal as an
engineering and financial undertaking Will
| De impracticahle under the management Of
/ a private compay. whereas with the credi,
| OF the United States government behind Il
/ the bonds will he 7oated above par and
/ the enterprise be released from the bun
dens % high rates Of interest On this
account the British government viii read
| lily consent 10 alter the treaty so as %
allow the United States 20 construct the
| canal and to he responsible for its reglIa-
ton and control