The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-12-22

WASHINGTON. Dec q. Senator
Lodge, who has charge of the Hay
Pauncefote treaty In the senate, today
made the following statement:
The senate amendments were not dic-
tated by hostility toward England. and
still less were they In any degree a re-
fection upon the secretary of state. The
amendments were made by the senate
solely because, in its opinion, they wero
necessary for the interest OF the United
States. and the avoidance Of any Ques-
ton as to the control of the canal, and,
consequently, for the sake OF peaceful
and harmonious dealings with the rest
OF the world on that subject In the fu-
ture.
'rhe first amendment is a simple dec.
iaration that the Clayton Bulwer treaty
ceases to exist and Is superseded by tho
Hay -Pauncefote treaty. The object Of tho
latter was too remove the former AZ an
obstacle TO the construction Of the isth-
milan canal Some good Judges thought
the ay-Pauncefote treaty did this COM
pletely as IL stood. Others believed that
certain portions Of the Clnyton- lsulwar
treaty still remained In force To allow
this doubt 70 continue would have been
desired to be rid Of the Clayton-Eulwsc
treaty. finally and beyond question.
Dangerous Promise.
Under article Nv. OF the Hay-pauncc-
fote treaty as II stood. we were clearly
tile fleet, II il succeeded in getting Inside
the three-mie zone, to pass unmol0ated
through the canal. This may or may mot
consequence s whether Il is q or 4 not II Il
a solemn promise 10 permit = hostile next
to use the canal That promise We either
Intended mae ssr t. Keep ,s .,s.. e we ,s !: t.S ss
break II. II we meant ~ ke&p ~ then lt
w0s a premise no nation ought 10 M kGs
IL we knew that We should keep y N tln4e
Of war then IL was only honest and fair
to relieve ourselves OF the OhltgatfDu IN
the treaty itself, This was the purpose
OF the second. Or Davis arnendment. which
entirely disposes OF any such promixek
and which follows exactly In principle,
and almost exactly In words. article y.
Of the Sues convention, which reserves
in the Sues canal IL trivial compared "
ours In that proposed In Nicaragua.
An American EmtGrprise. Il
'sThe third amendment strikes out 49,
ticle Ill. by which we engaged q t4
vite other nations TO adhere to the tfS1~X
and thereby become parties to II. 14
there been no Clayton Buiwcr treatyXo
should have negotiated with no omo -
building the canal. With England. 0NiMx
to the Ciayton-B Bulwer treaty. ~ MMFo 4
obliged to treat, but as we expect M1fUp0
10 keep out of this hemisphere. II seemed
and liberal the intention, to Invite Euros
poan nations to share in an American
treaty and thus give them the right 10
NEEDLE In American affairs AZ ana. point.
1--WE desire to dispose Of the ClMyton-
Bulwer treaty in the most friendly way
possible. We are most aversa to any
other disposition nf II. England does not
intend TO 30 to war To prevent our build
ing the canal. and II II In phynicaily pox-
sibie 10 build II. we mean In any event
10 do so Under these circumstances we
are very clear that II Is as much for
England's interest as for ours to accept
the new propositions In the friendly spirit
In which they are offered and thus end
controversy over a woYn-out treaty
which IN only stumbling block 10 both
nations. II II not TO he doubted that the
English ministers. whose ability. expert
ence and reputation ARE known to all the
world, viii daily weigh all these considerA~
tionA and rightly comprehend the purpose
OF tho senate amendments and Tho spirit
In which they are presented"